Black Rock, Myanmar: An Unforgettable Manta Ray Dive in the Mergui Archipelago
30 December 2013 was a lovely day to remember at Black Rock.
Lost in the middle of a clear ocean, Black Rock is one of those remote dive sites where the feeling of exploration starts before you even enter the water. Rising from the surrounding blue, the rock attracts an extraordinary variety of marine life and can offer excellent visibility, making it a spectacular place to encounter both large pelagic animals and smaller reef creatures.
And on this particular day, we were extremely lucky. We were surrounded by dozens of manta rays.
When that happens, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. Black Rock is normally full of details worth searching for, but when mantas are gliding around the dive site in large numbers, they naturally become the stars of the show.
Black Rock: A Reef Full of Colour
The underwater rock is covered in soft corals, with bright reds and purples creating a colourful backdrop. Yellow polyps seem to explode across the reef, while schools of fish move through the water and can sometimes almost obstruct your view.
There are surgeonfish, barracudas, glassfish and rainbow runners, all contributing to the incredible activity around the rock. There is plenty to see if you take the time to explore the reef carefully.
But today, there is only one thing on our minds:
Move on, we want to see the mantas!
Watching manta rays glide around Black Rock is an extraordinary experience. Their enormous pectoral fins move with seemingly effortless grace as they circle through the blue, sometimes passing close enough for divers to appreciate just how impressive these animals really are.
They can disappear into the blue almost as quickly as they appeared, only to return moments later. When dozens of mantas are moving around the dive site, the entire atmosphere underwater changes. Instead of simply exploring the reef, you find yourself constantly looking upwards and out into the blue, wondering where the next manta will appear.
Dozens of Mantas in the Blue
This was truly an unforgettable dive, and we knew we had to film it.
The mantas start appearing in the video after 1:27, so keep watching if you want to see the highlight of this remarkable Black Rock dive.Black Rock is one of the reasons we love exploring the Mergui Archipelago. This remote part of Myanmar can deliver encounters that are difficult to predict, and a dive that begins with colourful soft corals and reef fish can suddenly turn into a spectacular pelagic encounter.
Why Manta Rays Need Our Protection
Manta rays are loved around the world for their charismatic beauty, graceful movements and inquisitive behaviour towards divers. Encounters with these animals can be among the most memorable experiences a diver has underwater.
But behind these spectacular encounters is a much less positive reality. Manta rays have been fished in different parts of the world and face significant conservation pressures. Their slow reproductive rate means that populations can be particularly vulnerable when adults are removed from the wild.
As divers, one of the simplest things we can do is learn more about these animals and support responsible encounters. We should never chase, touch or deliberately disturb a manta ray. Giving them space allows them to behave naturally and helps make encounters better for both the animals and the divers watching them.
For more information about manta ray conservation and protection, visit Manta Trust.
Black Rock and Manta Ray Encounters in Myanmar
Black Rock remains one of the memorable dive sites of the Mergui Archipelago because of its combination of remoteness, colourful reef life and the possibility of encountering large pelagic animals in the open blue.
And sometimes, like on 30 December 2013, the reef becomes almost secondary. When dozens of manta rays arrive, all you can do is stop, look up and enjoy the show.
Discover More
- Myanmar’s Best Dive Sites – Discover Black Rock and other spectacular dive sites in Myanmar.
- Mergui Archipelago – Explore one of Southeast Asia’s most remote diving destinations.
- Diving in Myanmar – Discover liveaboard diving in the waters of Myanmar.
- Giant Oceanic Manta Ray: Facts, Photos and FAQs – Learn more about one of the Andaman Sea’s most spectacular visitors.
- Rays of the Andaman Sea – Discover the different rays you can encounter while diving in the region.
