One of the most protected and picturesque natural lagoons in all the Indonesian Archipelago is found above the equator in Northern Raja Ampat. One of the most interesting and surprising discoveries of recent years in manta behaviour in the area is the discovery of a natural manta nursing ground. While not much is known about the reason some mantas dive this deep, the behaviour has been linked to possible plankton masses at deeper depths. It has also been discovered that rays are able to dive to incredible depths of over 600m. These migrations can be attributed to shifting weather conditions that make these areas see a rise in nutrient rich waters that rays, and whales prefer for their feeding grounds. Advertisementsįurther this research initiatives have also brought to light that many of these individual rays undertake a yearly migration to the other regions of Indonesia including Bali and some have even been tracked traveling as far as the Southern Barrier Reef in Australia. Manta rays are identified by their unique markings on their underside. Because of this research as many as 700 individual manta rays have been recorded in the area, identification has been aided by divers submitting their photographs of mantas. In the last few years Raja Ampat has drawn the interest of many research groups hoping to track and understand the behaviour and migration patterns of the mantas that call the area their home for a few months of the year. Including the ideal conditions for both manta species to interact together. The deep waters of the Dampier Straights allow for deep water upwelling to bring incredibly nutrient rich waters to the shallow reefs of the area that fuels the most biodiverse marine ecosystem in the world.
Raja Ampat is one of very few areas in the world where both the Reef and Oceanic Mantas can be found in the same place. While Mantas are common throughout the Indonesian Archipelago because of the nutrient rich waters caused by upwelling in many regions of the country. What makes the manta presence in Raja Ampat interesting is the migration patterns of the mantas who yearly call the region their home. It is no surprise that manta rays would be found in this area. This diving destination is known as the most biodiverse marine environment in the world.
One such area Raja Ampat, situation in the heart of the coral triangle in the Eastern part of Indonesia. Manta Rays are widespread throughout the oceans of the world, some areas are famous for their Manta sightings. Many divers will travel halfway across the world to have even a chance to experience this. Nothing can compare to the moment you are surrounded by massive Manta Rays, gracefully gliding overhead suddenly swooping in closer to the reef before gliding off into the distance. Raja Ampat Manta Ray Migration from North to the South!
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