Manta ray off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

[Trisha]

Richard and I were among several divers, snorkelers and swimmers who saw a five to six foot manta ray near the Datura Avenue portal this morning. It swam near Richard in 15 feet of water by the first reef buoy... and he got a couple of pictures. Yeah!
Visibility at First Reef, the Honeycombs and the Fortress (in front of Costa del Mar Hotel) was about 15 to 25 feet. Low tide at 7:15 am
We also saw a turtle by the Anchor just before we dropped down, and six barracuda were on patrol. They were about three feet long or better.
Otherwise, no real surf, some current heading north, a very nice dive.

[Kaliber35]

WOW, sounds like a great dive. I plan to dive this area for the first time next week. Any tips?

...cant wait for the pics!

[mcgowman]

I wonder if it's the same manta seen near Key Largo last week?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/florida-conch-divers/293169-manta-ray-off-key-largo.html

[Sandbar]

WOW, sounds like a great dive. I plan to dive this area for the first time next week. Any tips?

...cant wait for the pics!

Here is some info on the site. There are numerous threads as well...extremely popular.

Fill Express -- The Best Shore Dive in Florida (http://www.fillexpress.com/library/datura.shtml)

[trigfunctions]

We went diving with RJ Diving out of Miami on Sunday, 7/12. During the surface interval, from the boat we saw a 5 to 6 foot manta ray heading north from the area of the Army Tanks site. (We also saw a dolphin - amazing!)

Maybe this same ray has trekked from the Keys to Miami to LBTS. Keep your eyes open Jupiter!

[D2Diver]

There is manta ray that appears there every summer for the past few years. People spot it in the shallows from Hollywood up to Deerfield. I have been lucky to see it a few times (& got photos)as well as a small 2 ft one & once even saw a school of cownose, I think, rays. It is a great area to dive

[FritzCat66]

Richard and I were among several divers, snorkelers and swimmers who saw a five to six foot manta ray near the Datura Avenue portal this morning. It swam near Richard in 15 feet of water by the first reef buoy... and he got a couple of pictures. Yeah!

So, where are they? Enquiring minds want to know!

:worthless:

[sportxlh]

... and he got a couple of pictures. Yeah!


Please post the picture(s)!

[Trisha]

I tried to post pics, but my limited internet service this year makes that a problem. I'll try again when the situation clears up.
Meanwhile, the mini lobster season at LBTS was a hoot -- I went for a walk and saw 30 boats and three kayaks out at sunrise the first morning. Richard did not participate this year, but he's asking questions....
Hope everyone had fun and got enough bugs to last until the major season!
Trisha

[DebbyDiver]

I dove with a Manta Ray off Boca Raton on Thursday, it was so awesome!!!! I was in 60 feet of water and sensed something above me...there he was, at about 30 feet, just circling my line. I went up to 30 feet and I couldn't get close to him but he kept circling and circling. I was totally in AWE!!! He (she?) had six huge remoras. Damn how I wish I'd had my camera with me.

[pygar]

:-( Bummer!!! No pics<<whimper>>