Mantas of Yap Part 2 of 3 - First Encounters

After a 60 minute surface interval and constant reassurance from Gordon that we would see Mantas we did a back roll into our second dive.

Repeating the same procedure we had on our first dive we lay on the bottom staring into the dark water ahead. Waiting what seemed like an eternity I was certain that we would have a repeat of our failed first dive. Suddenly I saw Gordon move to our line of sight and point up toward the coral mounds. Our eyes strained to see what Gordon was pointing at and then a black mass began to slowly and gracefully appear.

There is no adjective that can describe the human emotion of seeing such a beautiful creature for the first time. Graceful, majestic and elegant as it effortlessly glides through the water. Its fearsome appearance is accentuated by the devil like face with its enormous pectoral fins looking like conical horns and its lethal looking tail trailing behind. You can see where they got the nickname “sea devil”.

The common name for the Manta is derived from the Spanish, for cloak. Wrapped in a dark cape on top resembling a cloak the underbelly is generally white with dark blotches. You can identify individuals from the unique shapes and marking on the underside of the belly and Gordon was able to recall the names of the five Mantas we spotted this day.



To be continued.......