Built to glide. Born to amaze.
Explore the evolution, anatomy, behaviour and conservation of mantas and rays—and learn to see these graceful ocean specialists with new eyes.
Meet the ocean’s effortless flyers.
Mantas and rays seem to fly through the water, but every sweep of their fins reflects millions of years of adaptation. Learn how they feed, sense their world, move between habitats and fit into the wider marine ecosystem.
This specialty is for divers, snorkellers, photographers, students and anyone captivated by these intelligent, highly adapted animals.
Six ways to read a ray.
Follow the story from ancient evolution and specialised anatomy to feeding, movement, habitats and conservation.
Evolution & diversity
Meet mantas, stingrays, eagle rays and their cartilaginous relatives.
Anatomy built to glide
Explore wing-like fins, spiracles, gills and the structures that shape movement.
Senses & behaviour
Discover how rays navigate, communicate and respond to their environment.
Feeding strategies
Compare filter-feeding mantas with bottom-feeding and hunting rays.
Habitats & connections
See how reefs, sandy flats, open water and food webs connect their lives.
Threats & protection
Understand human pressures and the conservation choices that can help.
Press play. Glide deeper.
Start with the conservation video included on the course page, then take a look at diving with Ocean Tribe in Diani.
Blue Oceans: Dealing with the Underwater World
See how thoughtful choices above and below the surface support rays and the ecosystems around them.
Dive Diani with Ocean Tribe
Get a feel for the warm-water reefs where ecology learning becomes real-world observation.
Learn it. Then look for it.
Certified divers can add an ocean dive and practise responsible observation with the Ocean Tribe team.
- Open Water Diver certification required for the dive
- May be combined with an Open Water Diver course
- Planned around conditions and local wildlife
Everything you need to arrive ready.
Who can join?
The classroom specialty is open to anyone with an interest in mantas and rays. Minimum age is 10.
What is included?
- SSI digital learning
- All training materials
- Transfers within Diani
- SSI specialty certification on completion
What to bring
- Water bottle and sun protection
- Swimsuit and towel if adding a dive
- Your questions and sense of wonder
Manta & ray FAQs
Do I need to be a certified diver?
No. Anyone with an interest can join the classroom specialty. Open Water Diver certification is only required for the optional dive.
Will I definitely see a manta or ray?
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. The dive is a chance to use your new ecological and observation skills in a living reef environment.
Is the course suitable for snorkellers?
Yes. The classroom learning is open to non-divers and adds context to ray encounters from the surface as well as underwater.
How do I check availability?
The specialty is offered daily. Check the online calendar or contact Ocean Tribe by WhatsApp or phone for live availability.
Ready to follow their flight?
Start the SSI Manta & Ray Ecology Specialty in Diani Beach and discover the stories behind the ocean’s most graceful silhouettes.
