Tuamotu/Tikehau: Swimming With Manta Rays
Tikehau is known for manta rays that congregate in shallow water in the middle of the lagoon above some coral bed towers. Here, you can swim with them really close, almost within a hand’s reach, and often without any other people in sight. Manta rays are the largest rays in the world, 7 m (23 ft) in width wing to wing, and are absolutely incredible to observe and swim with. They float with wide open mouths, filter-feeding on zooplankton. In deeper waters, they switch to catching fish. The large manta ray that we swam with was completely comfortable with swimmers and just went around his/her grazing business above some spectacular and healthy coral beds. Another awesome wildlife encounter and one of the reasons of coming to the remote Pacific island of Tikehau!
