USVI-On-Line

On-island this week and wanted to tell you about our day on Saturday. We'd already had some great snorkels at Maho and Francis and decided that since it was the weekend we'd head to the South side to get away from the crowds (not that it's been very crowded on the North side). I love Eagle Rays, and in past years we scared up an eagle ray or two at Great Lameshur. We headed out and saw the usual assortment of fish, turtles, and an occasional octopus (unfortunately, they were in their den). Got to Donkey cove and were snorkeling around the edge and what should appear, but a MANTA RAY!
No, it wasn't a stingray,
No, it wasn't a eagle ray,
YES, it was a Manta Ray!
I was a bit ahead of our group of 5 and yelled to my husband with the GoPro camera that a Manta Ray was up ahead and to "kick like crazy". As they are trying to catch up to it, the Manta turned around and headed directly for them. We were not in very deep water and he politely headed between them and the shoreline. Just when he got past them, he turned in the water and came directly under my husband. What are the odds? We feel like we won the underwater lottery. Tomorrow we're out in search of a dolphin
https://youtu.be/oLb3lOdgN0g

Yea, that was a manta.

JIM

That was really cool. We have seen several Eagle Rays and have had them circle under us for several minutes, but we have never a Manta like that. My wife thought she saw a Manta at Francis two years ago, but it was so far away and the water was so murky, she wasn't a 100% sure it wasn't a large Eagle Ray.

No question a manta, great video. BRB booking return trip now. Keep us updated on search for dolphin, the force is strong with you.

that was amazing. thank you for posting!!

Wow! Great video!

That was exciting to see. You are lucky.
Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket.

We saw one there Friday! It was HUGE! I couldn't believe it! I swam with it and was just so in awe! It came in close to us as we were swimming along the shore about 30 feet from the beach. I spotted it coming in. It checked us out then swam out, and I followed it for a while as it swam out. SO awesome!!!!

Wow!! So beautiful!

Awesome!! I know how you feel. My friend and I about killed ourselves getting past the waves at Reef Bay but we rewarded with a Manta Ray - so special. This was 9-10 years ago.

Thank you for sharing the video! We've never been fortunate enough to come across one. Hoping he/she/they will stick around a little longer…

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

This was very special and awesome to see. Thanks for sharing it with us. We always enjoy a snorkel at Great Lameshur and its on the list for our next trip.

Amazing video. I am very hopeful to see it while I am here!

I too got to swim with her and she is a beauty. Took a sweet visor and several
Still shots. My bucket list has a new check mark!!( after reviewing your video- I believe their may be two!! Mine was a female for sure and yours sure looks like a male and the marking are definitively different!)