SDOP 35
07
The mantas of San Benedicto actively seek divers out and perform enchanting dances that only end for the lack of air in our tanks
most empathetic animals, in the same way that mammals are, with their natural grace and beauty, the flowing movements, the somersaults, the looping; a creature that combines the elegance and nimbleness of a teenager with the power and strength of an acrobatic jet.
Most fish are cautious and shy around divers, particularly if their equipment creates bubbles and noise. By contrast, the mantas of San Benedicto actively seek divers out and perform enchanting dances that only end for the lack of air in our tanks. They would stop two or three metres above our heads and delight in feeling the touch of the exhaust bubbles from our regulators. They literally“ thrilled” when the fragile bubbles of air broke against the white surface of their belly and they clearly enjoyed the hydro massage. Then, each manta screened the group and selected one of us as a companion; it kept that diver a little apart from the group and performed a personal dance. With their powerful lateral fins, they determined the direction and intensity of the swimming, avoiding contact with other divers and the rocks on the bottom. We were stunned by this behaviour and in a dreamlike state, we handed over control of the dive and let ourselves be seduced by the whirls of the dance, forgetful of the time and air we were devouring to keep pace with our“ partner” who, in turn, was luxuriously enjoying the bubbles breaking against its belly at as close a distance as possible.
An enormous sadness overcame us when, due to our human limits, we were escorted to the boat by two or three giant mantas who could not believe the encounter was over. Their charming and intelligent eyes scanned us with disappointment. From the bridge of the boat, we could see their dorsal fins ploughing the surface of the sea as they patiently awaited our return to the water.
There was nothing to fear. We were at 8 to 10 metres depth and 50 metres from the Solmar V, along the anchor rope, and at any time we could climb on board, change our tanks and jump in again to this overpowering passion. Like Ferraris in a pit stop during a Grand Prix, on the boat all is streamlined and efficient. In a few minutes we rejoined our friends.