AussieByron
Contributor
Over the past week or so I have had the chance to dive with a few Manta Rays at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay. Early in the week I had some really Large Mantas with large schools of Cobia following. Unfortunately these Large Manta's did hang around very long fo me to get a few decent shots.
Today was totally different. As soon as I got into the water I spotted a small Manta right under the boat and proceded to follow it down towards the Cod Hole, but lost sight shortly after. We decided to try down towards "The Needles" as there has been a few Leopard Sharks, a large female GNS and also Manta's.
The small Manta again came pass just as we where coming into the Needles and I couldn't get into position to get a shot. Here we go, spotted a Manta twice and still not a shot of it. It then moved off back towards the Nursery.
We continued along until I spotted the white flashing of the Manta's underbelly some distance away. The vis was excellent and easy to spot animals in the distance. It was hovering right above the "moe Hole" and was getting cleaned by cleaner wrasse. We approached carefully as I wanted to get really close with my Tokina 10-17mm set on 10mm and get some good shots without scaring it off.
Some 40 minutes later we are still with the Manta at the same spot and it simply wanted its photo taken and enjoy our company. My dive buddy was running low on air and it was time to leave. We did our safety stop right above the Manta and it just stayed it the same spot wanting us to come back down and play some more. 280 shots and a couple of minutes of Video was the result for this dive.
Here are some of those shots:
"What Manta?"
Today was totally different. As soon as I got into the water I spotted a small Manta right under the boat and proceded to follow it down towards the Cod Hole, but lost sight shortly after. We decided to try down towards "The Needles" as there has been a few Leopard Sharks, a large female GNS and also Manta's.
The small Manta again came pass just as we where coming into the Needles and I couldn't get into position to get a shot. Here we go, spotted a Manta twice and still not a shot of it. It then moved off back towards the Nursery.
We continued along until I spotted the white flashing of the Manta's underbelly some distance away. The vis was excellent and easy to spot animals in the distance. It was hovering right above the "moe Hole" and was getting cleaned by cleaner wrasse. We approached carefully as I wanted to get really close with my Tokina 10-17mm set on 10mm and get some good shots without scaring it off.
Some 40 minutes later we are still with the Manta at the same spot and it simply wanted its photo taken and enjoy our company. My dive buddy was running low on air and it was time to leave. We did our safety stop right above the Manta and it just stayed it the same spot wanting us to come back down and play some more. 280 shots and a couple of minutes of Video was the result for this dive.
Here are some of those shots:
"What Manta?"
