Giant manta ray

Photo: Programa Marino del Golfo de California · CC BY-NC

Giant manta rays visit the productive waters around Baixo do Sul from August through November, drawn by dense concentrations of zooplankton concentrated by upwelling around the volcanic plateau. With wingspans reaching 7 metres, these are the largest rays in the ocean and one of the most compelling encounters in diving anywhere in the Atlantic. The Azores represents a significant North Atlantic cleaning station for this Endangered species, with some individuals identified recurring across multiple years.