 Famous
for its wealth of biodiversity, Manta Reef is rated as a world top 10
dive site.Divers
come to Mozambique from all over the world to dive Manta Reef to see
the majestic mantas and swim with the Whale sharks.
Manta reef is situated 1km fro Tataruga Bay estate.
Two new Manta species
Dr. Andrea Marshall, of the recent BBC documentary “Andrea: Queen of
the Mantas” fame as well as director and founder of The Foundation
for the Protection of Marine Mega Fauna, has been studying the
Inhambane Manta population for over 7 years and has discovered two
new species of Mantas on Manta Reef in 2009.
 Through
her research, she discovered that there were in fact 2 separate
species of Manta Ray sighted in the area. Inhambane is one of the
few areas in the world where both species can be seen on the same
reef on the same dive. Although the species can be seen here, they
have very different life styles. The Reef Manta (Manta Alfredi)
is a resident population and are slightly smaller than their nomadic
cousins, the Giant Manta (Manta Birostris).
Dr. Marshall has also discovered that both species of Manta use a
number of the reefs in the area as “cleaning stations”. These reefs
are home to at least 6 different species of reef fish that each
clean a different part of the Manta. Through her research, she has
recorded Mantas “cleaning” for up to 8 hours per day on a specific
reef. She has also found that the Manta population here has a far
higher incidence of shark bites. These bites need to be cleaned as
well, so as to avoid infection.
Reef Topography
Manta Reef has a maximum diving depth of around 28.0 m / 91.9 ft and
is suitable for all divers. The average visibility is 10-20 meters.
Access to the dive site is by boat.
The reef is rarely affected by strong currents or surge.
To the north, Manta Pinnacles consist of ledges and pinnacles
rising majestically from the sea bed. At the southern end Manta
Canyon and is a high ledge that drops from the top of the reef at
about 22 meters down to 30 meters.
Marine Life
Manta Reef has an abundance of marine life. A large number of
species are routinely encountered: frog fish, the rare Dragon Moray,
paper fish and many other uncommon sights.
Manta Reef also has at least 3 different Manta cleaning stations:
one on Manta pinnacles, one in the middle section of the reef and
one on Manta Canyon.
AMAR (The Divers'
Association of Mozambique) and the
Foundation of Marine Megafauna
suggest a specific route to follow when diving Manta Reef.
Read a diver's great experience at
http://www.vagabonding.com/travelogue/000113.html
Manta Reef Map
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