![]() For travel lovers, this paradise is home to 19 species of seabirds, 30 species of migratory birds, and some 20,000 sea lions. Covering 133,000 square kilometers, it’s one of the richest and most biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. The Galapagos Islands, declared by UNESCO as an official “World Heritage Site,” is the second largest marine reserve in the world. In these three areas, diving lovers can experience the thrill of seeing a Giant manta ray slowly approaching them, perhaps with the same curiosity and fascination that we humans have when encountering them. These sites are Cape Marshall, in the Galapagos Islands, as well as Machalilla National Park and Ayangue beach, both on mainland Ecuador’s Pacific coast. ![]() In Ecuador, a country that currently has the largest number of Giant manta rays in the world, there are three sites that are especially privileged for up-close observations and diving with these magnificent creatures. It can also be overwhelming after all, the Giant manta ray is one of the largest fish in the world, measuring up to eight meters long. Spotting members of this beautiful migratory species on the seafloor as they swim among turtles, moray eels, and multicolored fish is one of the most intense and exciting experiences for a diver. ![]() This is when Giant manta rays arrive off the Ecuadorian Pacific coast to mate and feed on plankton supplied by the cold Humboldt current. Being the first country to prohibit their fishing, it’s quite common to see manta rays in this South American country, especially between June and October. In fact, these fish were about to disappear due to fishing, as people sought their gills for traditional medicines.Įcuador, though, has taken efforts to protect these gentle giants. Those people who have dived alongside a giant manta ray - witnessing its gentle, elegant and avian-like motions - describe this creature’s actions as the closest thing to flying.Ī few years ago, contacts with these mysterious creatures were practically unknown on the coasts of Asian countries.
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