Venturing into Banderas Bay, you can expect to encounter schools of dolphins, breaching whales, and the majestic giant mantas. Although there are no tours specifically for mantas, they can be seen while whale watching, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, or during any other tour on the water. The largest members of the ray family, giant mantas can measure up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) across and weight up to 5,100 pounds (2,300 kilograms). Despite their large size, these ocean gliders are acrobatic jumpers. Known by many names (Atlantic Mantas, Pacific Mantas, Devilfish, and Giant Mantas), these gentle and harmless creatures live in tropical waters near coral reefs.
When you're out on Banderas Bay on your visit to Puerto Vallarta, look for two fins sticking out of the water. These aren't two creatures, but rather, the extremes of a giant manta's body. Look deeper and you'll see an awesome dark shadow. If you're diving or snorkeling, don't be afraid to approach the mantas. However, we recommend against trying to ride the mantas – although most of us would love a magic carpet ride through the ocean, mantas have a layer of oil on their skin that protects them from bacteria in the water. If touched, the layer can come off, leaving the mantas vulnerable. Feel free to swim next to them, and make sure to take your underwater camera – these moments will surely make for memorable images. Enjoy our waters responsibly, and don't forget to share your experiences in our comments section below!
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