'Graceful dancing giants': Divers spot five manta rays swimming through Eilat Bay

The waters of Eilat Bay have recently offered a spectacular and rare sight: several giant manta rays gracefully gliding through the water. These majestic creatures, typically found in warmer, more open ocean environments, have made an unusual visit to the northernmost point of the Red Sea, exciting marine enthusiasts and scientists alike.

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The manta ray's diet consists of the smallest creatures in the sea. It filters plankton from the water by swimming with its mouth wide open and uses a pair of fin-like horns on the sides of its head to direct the water flow rich with tiny creatures, small crustaceans, fish larvae, and invertebrates, into its mouth, where they are filtered.

"Sharks in Israel," a local non-profit, identified at least five distinct manta rays based on their unique spot patterns, a biological fingerprint for each individual. Dr. Assaf Zvuloni from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority explained that these "gentle giants," despite their impressive size, pose no danger to humans and feed on tiny sea creatures filtered from the water.

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The oceanic

The presence of manta rays in Eilat Bay is considered a rare event. Their usual habitat lies in deeper, more plankton-rich waters further south. Their arrival at the northern edge suggests a specific confluence of ocean currents that concentrated plankton near the shore, creating an attractive feeding ground.

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Based on this, the "Sharks in Israel" non-profit organization estimated that at least five different manta rays were spotted swimming around Eilat.

Underwater photographer Meron Segev, who documented the mantas, shared the thrill of encountering these animals. "When encountering an animal as large as a whale shark or manta, you understand the magnitude of its presence and gain perspective on the vastness of the sea and the beauty of nature," he remarked. These sightings serve as a powerful reminder of the rich biodiversity within the Red Sea and underscore the critical importance of preserving Eilat Bay's delicate ecosystem to ensure the continued presence of such rare and magnificent species.

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Their arrival at the northern edge of the Red Sea suggests a unique combination of water currents that likely brought a large concentration of plankton closer to the shore.