Manta rays are beautiful and majestic animals that have a life-changing effect on people who meet them. I want to protect them so humans can experience their transformational power for generations to come! My goal is to inspire people so they take action to protect the mantas' ecosystem and oceans all around the world.
Hawaii can feel like paradise... but winter is different.
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One question we regularly receive is whether you can swim with mantas in Hawaii all year, whether they migrate, or do not show up during certain seasons. The short answer seems simple: reef mantas aren't migratory animals, so you can technically come to Hawaii and swim with them year-round... but there's also a longer answer. Manta ray sightings are lower during winter—not because the gentle giants aren't there, but because ocean conditions often turn adverse, making the swim unsafe on certain nights. Hawaii enjoys pleasant temperatures and clear, calm water throughout the year—no wonder it's such a popular vacation destination. It creates the myth of being as close as it gets to paradise. But in winter, weather patterns change: while the weather on land stays the same, the ocean gets rough. This means tour companies (us included) may need to cancel the nightly swims, as we cannot guarantee our guests a safe and enjoyable experience. Most cancellations happen between December and March. → Read more here about the best seasons to swim with mantas in Hawaii If you're planning a trip to Hawaii during that time, here's what you need to know:
→ Read here about what the ocean in Hawaii is really like in winter, and how we at Manta Ray Advocates prepare for and work that season. We've included a couple of videos so you can see the difference. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Either reply to this email or find our contact details here. If you plan to come to Hawaii this fall or winter, we hope you stay safe and enjoy the experience!
P.S. If you're staying home, you can experience the magic of manta rays through our series of guided video meditations featuring the manta rays in their natural habitat. |
Martina Wing
Manta rays are beautiful and majestic animals that have a life-changing effect on people who meet them. I want to protect them so humans can experience their transformational power for generations to come! My goal is to inspire people so they take action to protect the mantas' ecosystem and oceans all around the world.
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Aloha Reader, Chris Gorman lives in Nebraska - America's most landlocked state. So when he and his wife travel to the ocean, they make it count. Chris does what he calls "serial research" - diving into reviews, looking for operators who align with their values, and planning experiences that will stick with them long after they get home. In this week's episode, Chris shares how he chooses responsible travel experiences, why he looks beyond star ratings when reading reviews, and what made their...
Aloha Reader, During the briefing before we take guests to meet manta rays in the ocean, we'd often explain how the manta rays aren't there to perform for us - they're just living their lives, and we're lucky to witness it. Last April during that briefing, one of the guests lit up: "I just wrote a paper about this." The guest was called Rowan Daugherty, and her paper "Putting the Phone Down: the Negative Impact of Technology on Nature". It explores something I've been trying to communicate...