Swim with Manta Rays

Swimming with manta ray is one of Ningaloo Reef's "Big 3" marine interaction experiences, alongside swimming with whale sharks and swimming with humpback whales.

You can swim with manta rays year round on the Ningaloo Reef from Coral Bay, in the Ningaloo region of Western Australia's Coral Coast, with dedicated full day and half day tours departing daily. When joining a whale shark or humpback whale swim tour from Coral Bay or Exmouth, you may also have the opportunity to swim with a manta ray. Like whale sharks, manta rays are filter feeders and have a large toothless mouth which they use like a sieve to scoop up plankton and krill. Their wingspans measure several metres, enabling them to swim at rapid speeds, occasionally leaping out of the water and landing with a slap.

Unlike stingrays, manta rays do not have a sharp barb, making them very safe to swim, snorkel or dive with!

Watch these majestic creatures glide elegantly and effortlessly through the water by joining a tour to swim with manta rays. You may be lucky enough to see a group of males displaying their acrobatic skills, as they compete with each other for a female’s attention.

Frequently Asked Questions