Page 14 - Fiji Traveller Issue 4

Photo: Awesome Adventures

Snorkelling with Mantas

You don’t necessarily have to dive in order to meet manta rays. Every year, between May
and September, numerous mantas from deeper waters migrate to the narrow channel called
Drawaqa Passage, north of Drawaqa island in the Yasawas. The channel is quite shallow
(about four metres at its deepest), and a moderate current means that snorkelling can only be
done with the drift (i.e., the boat will drop you at one end of the channel, and then pick you up
at the other end).
Drawaqa is easily the most likely place to cross paths with a manta ray. Of course, the
experience is not quite as primal as in Kadavu or further out in remoter waters, but sightings
in the channel occur almost daily through the southern winter. If you are particularly lucky, you
could be in the water at the same time as half-a-dozen mantas swimming around. However,
given how up-and-close these encounters could be, do remember to keep a respectable
distance between you and the creatures.
Barefoot Manta Island Resort is the best place to camp on Drawaqa island for a date with
the mantas. It’s located right next to the channel and has a collection of simple bures and
dorm beds (both with compulsory meal plans) for you to choose from. You could also stay at
Mantaray Island Resort located on nearby Nanuya Balavu island.

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