metaldector
Contributor
I've been doing a lot of cavern, caves, and springs diving for the last few month, but this weekend was my first Ocean treasure diving of the year. As usual we took our boat out of Sebastian Inlet down the coast a couple of miles to the cabin site of the 1715 wreaks, only to find the water viz down to about 6" (inches). So we knew it wasn't going to be a great day for treasure hunting. I made 5 dives from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM in only 23' of water and found a few beer cans. Nothing worth talking about. I was getting cold (water was 73 degrees) and decided to get back on board the boat. My buddie was to do the next few dives before lunch. Just as he submerged I spotted a large black shape moving towards us in the water. It was moving from our bow towards where my buddie just disappeared. It was too large for a manatee, and too wide for a shark. Holy Cow, it was a large Atlantic Manta Ray! With a wing span of at least 8 feet. It was gliding just under the surface but was easily seen by all on the boat. "Where's my camera?" I thought. I grabbed the camera in its underwater housing, but I had not turned it on. I popped the housing off and pulled the camera out and turned it on just as the Manta Ray slid silently under the cover of the dirty water. Darn, no picture.
That was the first time in 30 years of diving I saw a Manata Ray and I wasn't prepared. So I'm telling you, Ya never know what you'll see when your diving. Be prepared.
That was the first time in 30 years of diving I saw a Manata Ray and I wasn't prepared. So I'm telling you, Ya never know what you'll see when your diving. Be prepared.
My wide angle makes him look tiny, but he was 8 ft across.
