As we were entering St Joseph Bay just east of Panama city on Saturday we saw a huge Manta ray on the surface. I've heard about whale sharks in the area. Is this a common occurance??? It's the first time that I've seen a manta ray in a long time. We saw eagle rays in the keys while snorkiling and while sailing but never a manta. Also the whale sharks eat the same things as manta's so is there a regional food suppy that brings them in??? The gulf semed much more alive than usual with turtles and huge schools of fish. Any long time locals with any comments?? Tom
Manta Rays in the Gulf of Mexico
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Manta Rays
Not a local, but we have seen them floating just off the beach at Navarre Beach, which is probably 60 - 70 miles west of Panama City. Me, my wife and kids would rent a beach side condo every year. Saw what we thought was a big trash bag floating out there, swam out to within 20 feet and it just slowly started swimming away from us.
Not a local, but we have seen them floating just off the beach at Navarre Beach, which is probably 60 - 70 miles west of Panama City. Me, my wife and kids would rent a beach side condo every year. Saw what we thought was a big trash bag floating out there, swam out to within 20 feet and it just slowly started swimming away from us.
I saw one
Six years ago I saw a manta in Smack Bayeou. I've been back there probably a hundred times since then and haven't seen another one. Last August I saw a marlin jump out of the water following a ship from the shipyard in Parker heading out to the pass. I couldn't believe it was right there in Saint Andrews Bay.
Six years ago I saw a manta in Smack Bayeou. I've been back there probably a hundred times since then and haven't seen another one. Last August I saw a marlin jump out of the water following a ship from the shipyard in Parker heading out to the pass. I couldn't believe it was right there in Saint Andrews Bay.
Manta Ray
First I envy you your sighting. I have never seen one but would give a lot to do so. It is my opinion that they more than likely come this far north as a result of the gulf stream being closer in. I am sure that like many other species, they just follow the food supply, and the gulf water temps are in the low 80's now, so should be plenty warm enough for them.
First I envy you your sighting. I have never seen one but would give a lot to do so. It is my opinion that they more than likely come this far north as a result of the gulf stream being closer in. I am sure that like many other species, they just follow the food supply, and the gulf water temps are in the low 80's now, so should be plenty warm enough for them.
Manta Ray
It may just be coincidence, but we were on the Gulfport to Penscola ofshore race this weekend and saw a large manta ray jump approximately 3-4 feet out of the water. We were 3 miles out between Pascagula and Mobile. This was a first sighting for me.
It may just be coincidence, but we were on the Gulfport to Penscola ofshore race this weekend and saw a large manta ray jump approximately 3-4 feet out of the water. We were 3 miles out between Pascagula and Mobile. This was a first sighting for me.
mantas not that unusual
We've spent alot of time diving that area, and manta sightings are not that uncommon. Occasionally, one will 'take up residence' on a particular reef or wreck, and divers see it repeatedly in the same place. I've seen them jumpint on the surface many times. And I have to say it makes my heart jump every time
Awesome creatures. We had the privilege of swimming up close and personal with one several times at night off Little Cayman - she 'lived' on this one reef and would come in at night - attracted by diver's lights and all the other smaller critters that also swam in the lights.
We've spent alot of time diving that area, and manta sightings are not that uncommon. Occasionally, one will 'take up residence' on a particular reef or wreck, and divers see it repeatedly in the same place. I've seen them jumpint on the surface many times. And I have to say it makes my heart jump every time
Awesome creatures. We had the privilege of swimming up close and personal with one several times at night off Little Cayman - she 'lived' on this one reef and would come in at night - attracted by diver's lights and all the other smaller critters that also swam in the lights.
All the time!!!
I live on the 12th floor of a condo on Panama City Beach and I see them, as well as several other species, from my balcony all the time. We had schools of juveniles, 8-10-12 at a time feeding in the surf just last week! Saw three around 7pm tonight while looking out for sharks.
I live on the 12th floor of a condo on Panama City Beach and I see them, as well as several other species, from my balcony all the time. We had schools of juveniles, 8-10-12 at a time feeding in the surf just last week! Saw three around 7pm tonight while looking out for sharks.
Cool Right time right place
One of my best dives was in hawaii diving with mantas at night. All kinds of wigglys would get in the beam of our dive lights and the mantas would swim right up the beam to get the food. Then we would rub their bellys as the swam over us. They didn't seem to mind at all as long as you stayed away from their gills and eyes. Do they do night dives with the mantas off of Panama city??? We dove there several years ago and enjoyed the wrecks and even the jetties during slack tide. All of the boats make the jetty dives a little risky if you would have to make an emergency ascent!!!!! We didn't see many big fish but a lot of bait fish around the wrecks. Tom
One of my best dives was in hawaii diving with mantas at night. All kinds of wigglys would get in the beam of our dive lights and the mantas would swim right up the beam to get the food. Then we would rub their bellys as the swam over us. They didn't seem to mind at all as long as you stayed away from their gills and eyes. Do they do night dives with the mantas off of Panama city??? We dove there several years ago and enjoyed the wrecks and even the jetties during slack tide. All of the boats make the jetty dives a little risky if you would have to make an emergency ascent!!!!! We didn't see many big fish but a lot of bait fish around the wrecks. Tom
Tom, Mantas and whales sharks are there.
I dove in PC for many years when I lived there. I was able to dive with a whale shark twice. Had a friend with a private plane and he used to spot them and radio us their position. These were small ones about 22 feet. Got a great photo of my dive buddy silhouetted next to the 10 foot tail fin. In the summer tropical fish migrate up from the south into the St Andrews bay. Used to net them for my saltwater tank. I'm living in the east coast now. Sure miss the emerald clear water of the Panhandle. Ted
I dove in PC for many years when I lived there. I was able to dive with a whale shark twice. Had a friend with a private plane and he used to spot them and radio us their position. These were small ones about 22 feet. Got a great photo of my dive buddy silhouetted next to the 10 foot tail fin. In the summer tropical fish migrate up from the south into the St Andrews bay. Used to net them for my saltwater tank. I'm living in the east coast now. Sure miss the emerald clear water of the Panhandle.
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