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.
Unravelling the mysteries of the manta rays
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Manta rays are still mysterious creatures simply because we still know so little about them. Today, I am happy to share a bunch of reading material we've gathered over time to shine a brighter light on the gentle giants—so buckle up. 😊 Here is the beautiful part: humans have increasingly spent time observing and collecting data on manta appearance and behavior, giving us a chance to learn more about them. As recent as July 2025, the discovery (or rather, recognition) of a third species of manta ray is a good example. It is fascinating to learn that mantas are technically cold-blooded but can warm parts of their bodies to help them swim and potentially even think faster. Did you know that a manta's skin is slimy on the surface due to a mucus coating, but its body is covered with tiny teeth underneath? This helps mantas move fast and execute intricate swimming techniques while spending minimal energy. We had a blast discovering how scientists research manta swimming mechanisms, writing about the technologies used to track manta rays, and diving deeper into the movements and migratory patterns of reef mantas. All of these discoveries also meant that we desperately needed an update on what we thought we knew about mantas, so check out our brand new article about the anatomy of manta rays. Many more steps need to be taken to protect the gentle giants, and one of these is to learn everything we can about them. We know they're essential to underwater ecosystems and coral reefs worldwide. Mantas inspire engineers, medical scientists, artists, and designers every day. Still, manta rays are among the many creatures affected by human activity, and we should all take action now to mitigate the damage to our planet; if not for ourselves, then for our children and future generations. Please share this information with friends, family members, and anyone who will listen.
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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.
Aloha Reader, I am overjoyed to share the news with you: During the CITES conference, 185 countries voted to give sharks and rays the highest possible international trade protections. Per WCS Newsroom: All CITES shark and ray proposals pass – marking the most comprehensive advance in global shark conservation in CITES history. YES. 🤩🤩 FINALLY! 🥳🥳 12 years ago (June 2013), eight species of sharks and both manta ray species were included in CITES Appendix II, but it was not enough protection....
Aloha Reader, For the fifth year in a row, we've collected beautiful images of our favorite manta rays for our 2026 calendar. Each month, we feature high-quality pictures and heartfelt stories about our manta friends, who have unique and quirky personalities. For those in or traveling to Hawaii, the calendar also indicates when box jellyfish are likely to reach Hawaii's shores - usually 8-10 days after a full moon. With this calendar to guide you, you can avoid nasty surprises! You can either...
Aloha Reader, 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...