Lefty was identified June 1, 1979 by Steve Myklebust. This is almost 45 years ago! She was about 8 feet across when first identified.

Lefty was one of the most famous manta rays. Unfortunately, we have not seen her since April of 2016.

She was easily identified by her paralyzed left cephalic fin. When she was feeding her fin usually flopped below or directly into her mouth. When she was not feeding and her cephalic fins were rolled up, her left fin pointed inward at a right angle instead of straight out in front of her. She frequented  Manta Heaven, but was also seen often at Manta Village. She was known to brush bellys with snorkelers or grace over a diver’s head, leaving guests with an experience they would never forget.