Friendly Manta Ray encounter in the Turks & Caicos | DIVE STORIES

In the latest episode of DIVE STORIES, Jonathan talks about an amazing encounter with a Manta Ray in the Turks & Caicos Islands, illustrated with actual pictures from the event.
**Please note, after careful examination of the pictures (which was done after this story was told) I realized that the manta is in fact a male, not a female. He has been accepted into the Turks & Caicos manta database with the name "Manny." ***
#manta #mantaray #turksandcaicos
DIVE STORIES is the new series on @BlueWorld_plus featuring various members of the BlueWorld team talking about experiences they had in the world of diving. Some are scary. Some are amazing. All are fun!
#scuba #scubadiving #divestories #mantarays
JONATHAN BIRD'S BLUE WORLD is an Emmy Award-winning underwater science/adventure series featuring underwater cinematographer/naturalist Jonathan Bird.
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[@khulood7476]

You’re the best storyteller PERIOD!!! What an amazing story! 😊

[@BlueWorldplus]

Wow, thank you!

[@Bladavia]

ouch using film underwater, that sounds terrible, I only now realize how hard marine photography would have been back in the day

[@BlueWorldplus]

36 shots and wait three weeks to see if you got it! LOL!

[@ThatCasualZach]

Loving these stories!

[@moalzaben5554]

I never knew mantas were super intelligent, I knew they were smart but not at this level, I’ll never forget the time when I got up close to a blue spotted stingray it looked at me I got so close that she wasn’t scared of me, I eventually moved back a few seconds later to give her some space I didn’t want to annoy her

[@تكلبش]

What a great story good video 👍😘❤️

[@lydialeigh4]

Wonderful dive story! Thanks for sharing.

[@judybassett9390]

Cool dive story. She must have know that it was safe to be around you.

[@AndrewJackson1841]

There's a paper with evidence that they may be able to pass a mirror test, which is quite an impressive thing for a fish. Ari, Csilla; D’Agostino, Dominic P. (2016)

[@borikennautical6649]

Wow now that is a beautiful story sir. Super cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@BlueWorldplus]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sandrasignorelli5960]

Love your stories just as much as your adventures. Learn so much from them. 😊

[@BlueWorldplus]

I'm so glad!

[@TheprogresBMX]

I learned that if I ever want to rob a bank, I have to go swimming with manta rays first.

[@dbsktvxq9]

Haven't met any manta ray yet, hope to meet one in my next dive. I also feel curious about this animal as I often watch other divers swim along with them, this animal seems friendly and intelligent!

[@jorgermendezliska]

Really nice story, I have some storys with manta ray and have the same feeling as you, that they are intelligent animals

[@שוניגרינשפון-ז7כ]

I really want those diving stories on Spotify. Also really appreciate your amazing work and you actually inspired me into marine biology.

[@BlueWorldplus]

Spotify????

[@שוניגרינשפון-ז7כ]

@@BlueWorldplus Yes, Spotify. The most popular app for music and podcasts. You can make a great storytelling podcast out of those diving stories (I promise this is not an ad).

[@awkwardautistic]

@@BlueWorldplus You should do a podcast on spotify...I think it might do well!

[@pam510]

That sounds like an AMAZING experience you had …! I would LOVE to experience something like that with a manta ray!

[@Dboy10810]

I already knew that you are a great storyteller, Jonathan, but this episode made me realise that again! :-) How unfortunate it would be not having this DIVE STORIES section, and not hearing this wonderful stories. Thanks for that! Another thing: I wonder, getting realisations of these very smart individuals from the animal kingdom, maybe we should stop thinking of them as food and eating these creatures. It could be very difficult to kill them after getting close to any of these persons. I could not do that! Sorry, I didn't intend to be preachy or what, just few honest thoughts.

[@victorgillmore3180]

He was going into a history lesson for a second there.

[@sebastianf.6063]

That is my dream ❤. I love this animals

[@tcoiler]

I agree, we've underestimated the intelligence of animals around us. Curiosity seems to me to be a sign of intelligence.

[@BlueWorldplus]

Totally agree.

[@DolbecAqua]

wow what an amazing experience, thanks for sharing! :D

[@laurv8370]

When wild animals come close to people, they usually need help. Take these freaking remoras off of me... You just failed that test :P

[@adriennebelle6598]

my kiddo and I were saying the same thing!

[@BlueWorldplus]

We tried. You pull one off and then what do you do? It goes right back to the manta!

[@AnimalScienceTV]

There must be some bias that we think animals are intelligent if they can do human-like things... but animals live in their own world and probably intelligent in ways we can't tell.

[@Zamboni-ms5iq]

Van Halen? Is it possible to subscribe twice???

[@beegeesjam]

I know, right?

[@salimibrahim9399]

many of my friends underestimated this animal cause of their sting, but actually, they are very friendly and from this video, it's very proof it, absolutely I'll recommend this video to them. By the way, I've sent an email to Book a Lecture but I still didn't get any response. Hopefully the response from you sir. Thank you

[@BlueWorldplus]

Julia manages our lectures. I'll ask her.

[@salimibrahim9399]

@@BlueWorldplus Thank you, nice to hear that 😁🙏

[@jessymendoza6722]

Miss this♥️

[@ericburgess4995]

I wonder if this manta may have been in Kona where they have regular contact with humans? Do you know if these dives in Kona Hawaii were started back in years when this happened. Great story.

[@BlueWorldplus]

The ones in Kona have a totally different story.

[@benyoucef0863]

I'd rather prefer the Jonathan cartoon version to tell the part of robbing a bank :)

[@shaunspadafora7943]

I upvoted before even watching the video because Jonathan was rocking a Van Halen shirt. 🤘🤘

[@BlueWorldplus]

EVH!!

[@AnimalScienceTV]

I like stories too! I often just listen to youtube as I do something else

[@pastorbobgill3127]

I always enjoy watching Jonathan videos her he has some interesting stories. Keep it up Johnathan

[@HeatherSZ]

illegal life pro tip: pet manta ray, live life of crime.

[@skylordthe1st]

Wow you look like a loveable uncle or teacher

[@ricardorey6477]

Beautiful story!!

[@BlueWorldplus]

Thanks!

[@sergiollag1]

maybe it wanted a cleaning station

[@captvalstrax]

Man this is my dream!

[@SolidStateSoul]

Great story, relevant articles: oceana.org/blog/manta-ray-brainpower-blows-other-fish-out-water-10 www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/incredible-footage-shows-giant-manta-ray-asking-a-snorkeler-for-help/

[@PonyDragon404]

Oh dear! I have to meet a manta ray once in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!! Making new friends in the blue world is just wonderful ❤️ So touched ❤️❤️❤️

[@platypusoppy6372]

Manta ray are so pretty!

[@gonzaloalfredolopezturino608]

Good advice to rob a bank hehehe SPECTACULAR shots man, very difficult with the technology of those times to take photos like this with a wonderful composition and an excellent command and knowledge of light!!! good work!!!

[@BlueWorldplus]

Thanks!

[@elaineb7065]

She was a total cutie!!! Demanding fusses & everything. Looks gorgeous too. And your poor fingers!!!

[@acefighterpilot]

I think he knew exactly what he was doing once he saw the cameras - "I'M GONNA BE FAMOUS ON THE INTERNET!"

[@Michellee970]

You made friends with a manta ray! What a phenomenal, blessed experience and a great story! Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@pricediver]

Love these stories haha! The double hose behind you isn’t that the royal master that you’ve used on some earlier videos?

[@BlueWorldplus]

No, it's an original that has never been modified like the ones I use now.

[@PeopleTheWe]

What a beautiful symbiotic moment with the magical creature. I can’t even imagine that euphoria it would create inside swimming with it, looking into its eyes and watching it think and react and respond.

[@legomariostudios2712]

Are mantas the biggest ray btw love the van Halen shirt

[@BlueWorldplus]

EVH!!

[@adampilot8275]

I love these clips from the Blue World but this is definitely one of the best. I also have had and experience of underwater wildlife approaching me and acting in a very curious non aggressive manner. But that was Cobia and Moray Eel. What an amazing experience to have this happen with a Manta Ray. You were truly blessed on that occasion Jonathan.

[@DamonBates]

Love, love, love, thanks Jonathan!

[@alisons1006]

Mantas are my absolute favourite! I’ve never seen one in person and want to swim with one so bad

[@victorgillmore3180]

Awwww!

[@dominicfeliciano9462]

Oh, look, here’s Muriel. Hello, Muriel.

[@Javier-pm3fs]

The manta is colorful

[@fxpmike]

Around a month ago in Veracruz Mexico for my first time i dove with a manta and it was amazing, the dive store instructors have spot her days before so i was expecting to find her but i thought that we the divers would be those watching the manta no the other way around, we were about 9 divers and she stopped to look at us one by one round after round, she was swimming so close that i was afraid of bumping her, a couple of divers were taking pictures and i thought the strobes will spook her but was the opposite the manta spend more time with them, when the dive was over and had to return to the boat while we were doing our safety stop she find us and start to surround us and then a male appear, he was more interested on her but it was nice. It was one of my best experience ever and my best dive until now

[@BlueWorldplus]

They are amazing animals!

[@WHALEx3]

This got me kind of emotional 😭

[@seastheday2020]

Cool story and pics!

[@jabertagi3857]

I think she was trying to mate

[@jarrodgauntner4191]

Jonathan. I didn't know that Manta Rays are friendly. Have you seen them since when you're traveling to Yap?

[@BlueWorldplus]

I've seen them in many places, but never as friendly as this one.

[@jarrodgauntner4191]

@@BlueWorldplus Neither have I!

[@sarahbethsstitching9937]

What a great story and what an awesome privilege you had with her

[@dominicfeliciano9462]

Muriel looks like she wants a lot of attention. Muriel seems a bit bored.

[@dominicklittle9828]

makes me wonder what went so wrong with steve irwin

[@BlueWorldplus]

That was a stingray, not a manta. And I expect he was trying to handle it as he was known to do on his show.

[@USSRxespectro]

Thank you Jonathan for sharing this amazing story with us.