Do we always see the same manta rays around the same locations, or are they migratory? We hear this question often.
In this article, we focus on reef manta rays – the ones we regularly encounter and track along the West Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Unlike giant manta rays, which have a migratory lifestyle and live in the open ocean, reef mantas tend to stay within a specific area. However, studies have shown that while they often stick to familiar sites, they also move around within their home range.
Over time, we’ve found that the reef mantas around Kona follow this pattern. They usually stay along the Kona coast, but they can travel farther than we initially thought!
In the video below, I explain how we identify and track manta rays and share some amazing stories about local mantas that have ventured beyond their usual spots. If you’d rather read about it, just scroll down to find the full article.
Database of Manta Rays Along the Kona Coast
Manta rays can be identified by the unique spot pattern on their belly. If you take a look at the underside of a manta ray, you’ll notice gill slits on each side and, in the middle, a distinctive spot pattern – like a fingerprint. If you’re curious about the details, you can check out this article on how to tell manta rays apart.
Over time, we’ve compiled a list of more than 200 manta rays sighted along the West Side of the Big Island of Hawaii. Each manta gets its own name and personality. You can explore our database to see photos, videos, and stories about them.
Some manta rays are seen only once and never again, while others become familiar faces. A great example is Lefty, observed from 1979 until 2016 – an incredible 37 years! She was spotted around 200 times each year. Unfortunately, we have not seen her since April 2016, so we assume she passed away.
Another well-known manta is Big Bertha, a large female with an estimated 12-14 feet wingspan, who has been known since 1992.
The database is a fantastic tool for tracking how long these manta rays have been around.
Tracking Manta Ray Movements
There are three locations in Kona where you can regularly see manta rays at night: Manta Village near Keauhou, Manta Heaven near the Kona International Airport, and Manta Point on the Kohala Coast.
Manta rays keep returning to these sites because they’ve learned there’s plenty of food for them. This is due to a phenomenon called “behavioral conditioning.” These spots in the ocean are illuminated by artificial lights, which attract plankton. Since manta rays feed on plankton, they’ve learned that where there’s light, there’s food.
Our small team has worked with manta rays along the Kona coastline since 1991. My husband started back then, and I joined him in 1998. We’ve consistently covered the Keauhou and the airport location, capturing videos of the manta rays and identifying which ones were present at each site.
For about six years (from 2009 to 2014), we kept detailed records of manta ray sightings, tracking which individuals were seen. You can check out our statistics page to see which manta rays were spotted at which location on any given night.
The three manta ray viewing sites are pretty spread out. The distance from the Kohala Coast to Manta Village in Keauhou is about 42 miles (67 kilometers). From Keauhou to the airport, it’s around 15 miles (24 kilometers), and from the airport viewing site to the Kohala Coast location, it’s 27 miles (43 kilometers).
Our data shows that manta rays often move between these sites. For example, we’ve observed manta rays traveling the 15-mile between Keauhou and the airport in 24, 48, or 72 hours.
One night, we saw Vallaray Ray down south, and the next night, she was at the airport, only to return south again soon after. The same pattern has been observed with Big Bertha, Lefty, and other mantas. So, it’s clear that there’s regular movement between these sites.
Amazing Adventures of Kona’s Manta Rays
The First: Loulou Ray Swam 42 Miles in 8 Weeks
Loulou Ray’s journey back in 2020 revealed much about the movement patterns of local reef mantas. Before this, we believed reef mantas stayed within a 30-mile range. However, Loulou Ray swam an impressive 42 miles from the Kohala Coast to Keauhou in just eight weeks. While this might seem like a long time, we can only share the dates when she was sighted.
She left the Kohala Coast on June 8th and was spotted at the Keauhou site on July 12th, 15th, and 19th. Loulou Ray is a true adventurer! Check out the video footage here.
The Fastest: Jolene Ray Covered 42 Miles in 8 Days
Jolene Ray set a new record by swimming the same 42 miles in just eight days, traveling from the Kohala Coast to Kailua Kona and back again. We were thrilled to welcome Jolene back, as she’s one of the regulars at the Kohala Coast location.
Jolene is fearless; she comes right up to the surface to feed on plankton, often giving snorkelers an unforgettable close-up encounter. It’s a beautiful experience.
The Revenant: Vitor Ray Returned After 17 Months
Vitor Ray was a regular at the Kohala Coast until he left on April 9th, 2018. After 17 long months, he finally returned on September 18th, 2019.
It was beautiful to see him again after all that time.
The Tourist: Obama Ray Took a Short Vacation
Obama Ray had been a regular at the sites for 8-10 months, but then she got a big cut in her wing from human impact. She left the bay six days later, and we worried about her.
But, to our surprise and relief, she returned after just a few weeks. In 2024, we have seen her 31 times, she is fully recovered.
The Comeback: Lehua Ray Appears After 15 Years!
Lehua Ray is a fascinating example of manta ray movement. We first spotted her in 2002, but then she disappeared completely. For 15 years, she was nowhere to be seen in the night viewing areas. Then, in 2017, she made a brief appearance, swimming through the lit-up area by the airport before disappearing again. Fifteen years between sightings – we wonder where she has been!
The Dual Nature of the Reef Mantas of Kona: Local and Migratory
So, are our local reef manta rays migratory, or do they stay in the same place? From what we’ve observed, the reef mantas on the Kona Coast are both.
We see them frequently, and they have a home range of about 40-50 miles along the coast. But they’re also migratory, depending on how you define it. With over 20 years of experience, it’s clear to us that they strike a fascinating balance between staying local and wandering.
There’s still so much mystery surrounding these fascinating creatures, and we are grateful that the Kona manta rays have given us much to learn about. We’ve put together an eBook filled with Manta Ray Facts & Figures, and you can download it for free right here!
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