Zeina
Like David D we also just came back from Manihi......and those pictures were taken in the lagoon about five minutes from the only resort on this atoll.
The site is known as the Circus......its a cleaning station right inside the pass of the atoll (the only pass on the atoll that boats of any size can get through to the ocean). There was some other life at the site (bottom looked like volcanic rock....no coral so you grabbed a rock and chilled out) Groupers, nudis, different tropicals, an occasional shark.....but the main players were the Mantas
Funny thing was when we were getting briefed about the site by the Dive Master he was apologizing for the poor vis.......said it was only 60-70 feet
we'll thats about 4-5 times better than what we typically see in NJ.
Depth is about 65-75 feet so its a very easy dive.....go down the mooring line and site and wait for the Mantas to come to you.....Water temp was 82-84 degrees and the vis was right on....as you could easily see the boat from the bottom
From the mooring
We never got skunked on any dive (I think we dived 4-5 times at this location alone) as there were always Mantas hanging around.....checking us out. On average we saw 3-4 Mantas a dive(never less than 3) and on a couple of dives 5-6 of them. As long as everyone cooperated (divers) and didnt scare these creatures away with any spastic movement
ut:
It was all hands off and no touching ( to make sure these guys stay around) but they swam right up to you ....... and soared right over your head. I even had one slowly swim by and was looking right at me !!!!!
here's looking at you
I will write more in the days to come and get some other photos posted ........ but I will say that we already know where we are going to return when we get back to the South Pacific.......It was great!!!! Lots more to share
Scott
), and am looking forward to seeing some of this shark / manta action.
