Pacific Manta Ray
These rays are some of the largest in the Manta family with wing spans of up to and even over 20 feet.
I've also encountered mantas on off North Carolina. On one memorable dive a manta swooped down upon me while I was atop the boiler of a sunken German battleship at 100 '. The manta eye-balled me and allowed me to stroke its underside for a full half minute before it took off. These are inquisitive and friendly creatures and because of their size rather awe inspiring.
Mobilla Ray
Dirty Rock, Cocos, January 1997.
Mobilla rays are slightly smaller members of the Manta family than the Pacific manta shown above.
This one was near the surface playing in the bubbles from divers down below. It seemed to enjoy the feeling of the bubbles hitting its underside.
Another Mobilla ray
Dirty Rock, Cocos, January 1997.
We came across groups of 5 to 12 mobilla rays on almost every dive we had at Dirty rock. After the dive they'd follow us around in the zodiac as we were picking up divers. This presented a great opportunity to jump in and snorkel with them. They would come right up to us and appeared to enjoy human touch - perhaps they thought of us as giant cleaner fish. At one stage, I recall seeing one presented vertically with one diver stroking the underside and another its top - a menage-a-trois. Unfortunately, I didn't get the shot - I was out of film.
Marbled Sting Ray
These marbled sting rays were everywhere at Cocos. Resting on the bottom or like this one swimming in the current. Their distinctive mottled appearance is the reason for their name.
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