Ha'apai has Manta Rays!

After sporadic initial sightings of Manta Rays at a specific locale in Ha'apai we have been investigating the area periodically to establish a schedule for these animals. When are they here, is it the moon, is it the tide, is it random etc etc....? Our understanding of this fantastic Ha'apai attraction will surely evolve. We have found that thie secret location is being used by Manta Rays for feeding on plankton rich current created by the upwelling of a sea mount. Our first discovery of this awesome new attraction for Ha'apai was late last year, since then we have had a few snorkels with the animals and on Friday past we had the first opportunity to procuce what are probably the first ever recorded images and video of Ha'apai Manta Rays.

Manta Rays "Bryant" and "Midnight" with cephalic fins open during a feeding sortie. Photo courtesy Bryant Austin www.mmcta.org. 50MP Hassleblad with 80mm portrait lens.

As fortune would have it the first time we had this wonderful experience and opportunity for photos of the creatures, one of our guests, Bryant Austin, was packing a 50MP Hasselblad camera with 80mm portrait lens. This is massive gear and he captured some really jaw dropping images. We thank Bryant for capturing the first high quality images of the Ha'apai Manta population. His experience behind the lens, and composure in the water, gave us a number of wonderful images of this enigmatic member of the ray family. Briyant's usual focus is marine mammals, particularly cetaceans, and he is the founder of a non-profit organisation targeted at the conservation of these unique creature through the medium of art in the form of his 1:1 scale composite portraits. You may see his work at www.mmcta.org.  In honour of his images we have named the first of the Manta's "Bryant" and here it is both above and below.

Just like whales can be identified by the markings on the underside of their tail flukes the same is true for a Manta's ventral (bottom) surface. The photo above is our first ID shot of "Bryant" and the distinct collection of large black blotches running along the centre of the body makes him easily recognisable. This ray actually touched Mr. Austin with it's left wing and it is not the first time he has made such intimate contact with marine life through his non-aggressive respectful approach. In fact, the idea for his current work actually stems from the moment a female Humpback Whale tapped him on the shoulder to announce her presence in the water with him.

The high power of the Hassleblad camera system actually catches plankton entering "Bryant's" oral cavity. These animals, just like whales, feed by filtering smaller animals from the ocean.

After Bryant grabbed these shots we contacted our 37ft long Tongan flagshjip and whale watching vessel "Moana" on VHF and alerted them to the possibility of snorkeling with the Manta's. They were over in a shot and Sabine, relying on her extensive experience of videography with the whales, grabbed these magic moments on video. Our guests were also thrilled with the 30 minutes of Manta snorkeling!



Obviously Manta Ray's are a BIG THING for any dive destination and as the only PADI dive resort in the whole of the Ha'apai group of Islands we are very excited that soon we will be able to share this amazing experience with our guests on a regular basis.

Previously Brian, who has a degree in Marine Biology, worked with scientific researchers in the Komodo Islands of Indonesia studing their breeding habits and it looks like the excitement of being in the water with these gentle giants is now set to continue in Ha'apai. Brian says "to my knowledge this is the only Manta Ray feeding location in the Kingdom of Tonga! It is a very exciting discovery and something like this really has the potential to boost tourism in Ha'apai as a whole and particularly Lifuka Island where we, and the Mantas, are based".

As if snorkeling with Humpback Whales wasn't enough, we now look forward to welcoming you aboard for another one of the most amazing merine life experiences in the world that departs from Lifuka Island, Ha'apai.