Manta Ray Dive in Kona, Hawaii (Travel, Video)
:: Monday, May 22nd, 2006 @ 2:26:39 am

I spent the last week as one of the four photo pro at the Kona Classic 2006 (sponsored by Sport Diver Magazine, PADI, Body Glove, and others). As part of the event, we dove the manta ray night dive at Garden Eel Cove, which was absolutely amazing! Our dive operators ID’ed 17 mantas that night, and just before we jumped into the water, we were treated to a bright green flash at sunset. It was as perfect a night dive as one could imagine.

Here’s are two videos or raw footage I shot that evening (updated with 2nd video):

As promised, here is the second video, which is longer and shows how mantas interact with the divers in the water:

Popularity: 8% | Kona, Hawaii | link | trackback | posted @ May 22, 2006 02:26:39

:: 6 comments (rss)

1. posted by markus on Mon, May 22, 2006 @ 8:44 am

   WOW! very impressive!

2. posted by Caroline :) on Mon, May 22, 2006 @ 9:12 am

   hhaha. the trademark devil cap :)

   very cool.

3. posted by davepatchen on Mon, May 22, 2006 @ 10:14 am

   Wow, very cool. What brought them in for all the passes? Given how close they were to you I’d guess the water was rich w/plankton or other small critters, or were they just curious about divers? Looks like an excellent dive.

4. posted by Jeff Laity on Wed, May 24, 2006 @ 9:45 am

   Great stuff. Thanks for your help at the Kona Classic. I hope we get the oppurtunity to dive with you again in California.

5. posted by John Teng on Wed, October 25, 2006 @ 1:21 pm

   watsup Eric! i just did that dive a month ago, too, with Jack’s Diving Locker at Garden Eel Cove as well. Talk about a sick experience. Too bad my UW camera died right before the DIVE!! glad you have this video so I can show my friends.

   any more workshops at Boston Sea Rover’s clinic soon?

6. posted by Uli on Sat, January 27, 2007 @ 5:22 am

   Wow, I like to browse your website. It is always like dry diving at home.

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