Dive site of the YEAR (any year): Manta Ray Dive

Manta Ray Dive Alert! The old Kona Surf Hotel has been bought out by Sheraton, so it is now called: The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. They have refurbished the whole place very nicely and it is now open again for business. And guess what? They have turned the lights back on, shining down on the ocean, to attract the Manta Rays. It works, too! The Boat Operators have discovered some other spots along the Kona Coast where Mantas show up frequently, also, so check with them on which nights they are going out. It is a thrill to dive with these beautiful creatures - from boats or from shore - and Manta Rays are gorgeous along the Kona Coast.

In November of 1986 one of my articles was published describing another dive adventure Greg Kirschmann and I enjoyed on a Shore Dive off the Kona Coast.... Here is what I wrote, way back then....

"As we explore our unusual underwater sightings off the Kona Coast, we'd like you to try this one on for size: A few weeks ago Greg Kirschmann, the preacher friend I often rib in my writings, called to ask if I wanted to go night diving. Asking me if I want to go night diving is akin to asking Joe Montana if he likes to throw a football.

Greg was heading down to Keauhou Bay and was going to venture out in front of the Kona Surf Resort to look for a lobster or two. Naturally, my reply was not the usual emphatic, exuberant, "ALLRIGHT!" Rather, it was a calm, "What time do we go?" Which meant, "ALLRIGHT!" I just didn't want him to think I was too anxious.

We headed out about 8:30 PM on a dark, moonless evening. A perfect night for a lobster hunt. We slipped into the water at the boat ramp in Keauhou Bay (which is about 6 miles south of our little village of Kailua-Kona). When we rounded the southern edge of the bay and headed past the floodlit shoreline, directly makai of the Kona Surf Resort Hotel, we found ourselves in water about 15 to 20 feet deep. The water was extremely calm, with little surge, and the flood-lights from the hotel made the water practically glow. It was like swimming in a lighted, pale green, living room.

There were schools of fish swimming near the surface, which seemed odd at the time. Usually, by that hour, the schooling fish have dispersed and found resting places in deeper reaches, or in caves, pukas, caverns and lava tubes for the night. We noticed much more activity than was normal. Soon, we discovered why.

Just as we reached the center of the lighted area (while cruising the bottom in search of lobsters) the lights went out! Well, actually, the lights seemed to blink. We looked up to see a gigantic Manta Ray swimming overhead, near the surface.

The water was so clear we could easily distinguish the grey and black spots on the ray's pure white underside. It measured 8 to 10 feet across (easily) and the wings fluttered slowly and majestically as it passed above. I've mentioned before how the Manta Ray's swimming motion appears choreographed in its ballet-like flight through the water. The flood-lights seemed particularly appropriate that night!

We rose silently in hopes the ray would turn and come by for an encore. We wanted better seats, up front, center, near the orchestra. Our wishes were granted as the graceful creature banked and swept back toward us. He was no more than 20 feet away when he completed his outward run and headed steadily in our direction. At that moment its mouth opened fully and we looked down his throat so far we swore we could see his rib cage; so deep we could even see his belly-button (from the inside!) - okay, I'm making that part up. As he bore down on us it was obvious he was oblivious to our presence. It was also obvious if we didn't get the heck out of the way there was going to be an underwater collision.

At the last possible instant the ray lifted gracefully and flew (actually, swam) directly over our heads, only inches from our astonished faces - and he didn't even begin to close his mouth. He was feeding on plankton and possibly the schools of tiny fishes we'd seen earlier - and a couple of scuba divers weren't about to interrupt his dinner hour.

Manta Rays, more closely related to whales than fish, feed on plankton primarily, which are strained through their baleen-like plates where the plankton is filtered for nutrients.

Diving with Manta Rays is always a rare treat and we enjoyed this one's antics for 40 to 45 minutes as he and others fed around us. Several Manta Rays, we found, were in the area. They seemed undisturbed by our closeness. Many times we were within touching range, but we left them alone (even then). They simply went about their business as we swam in and out of their feeding location.

Oh, by the way, our search for lobsters was in vain......."

And so, the story ended. Or so I thought at the time... It seems the story got out and others read it with interest. Within a short period of time the boat operators, other shore divers, and magazines caught the story and it was getting pretty crowded every single night. Some magazines even rated it as the Dive Site of the Year! Well, the Kona Surf Resort closed and the lights went out. When the lights went out, the Mantas found other places to swim and feed. Now they are scattered all over creation... but many of the boat operatiors have found other sites where the Mantas show up (occasionally). Check out the dive boat operators and maybe you'll 'get lucky' and see these beautiful creatures 'up close and personal'... but always remember: Don't touch, just take pictures... Okay?

IMPORTANT: On this or any dive I suggest, YOU are responsible for your diving. Dive only when you and the conditions are right. If, for any reason, you do not feel competent in making the dive, whether it be from shore or from a boat, DON'T DIVE. I cannot be responsible for your incompetence, heavy weather, tide, or current conditions. Diving is a SAFE and ENJOYABLE sport. Don't dive if you are at all uncomfortable with the conditions or your safety.