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Manta Ray Yesterday

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: The Briny Bar
Forum Description: The place for general chat on saltwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=140086
Printed Date: 31 Jan 2026 at 1:12pm


Topic: Manta Ray Yesterday
Posted By: MJ
Subject: Manta Ray Yesterday
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2026 at 11:41am
We saw  a large manta ray yesterday a few kms off the back of the Hen and Chicks. We didnt manage to get a photo before it swam away but there was no doubt. Two of us saw it. I was not aware of them being in NZ waters. Have others sighted them here?


Replies:
Posted By: SaltyC
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2026 at 11:49am
They are in NZ waters. I've seen them in quite close to the islands in the bay of Islands and in the gulf close to the north eastern end of Waiheke

Posted By: Phantom Menace
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2026 at 12:32pm
I've only seen them once (or twice if you count two sightings on the same day). We swam with them and it was epic!

The golden triangle for sightings in the Hauraki Gulf is apparently north of Little Barrier and out to the Mokes. I've heard of a guy losing a speargun, float and float line to one at the Mokes (he didn't shoot it - it swam across his float line and dragged the whole lot away).

It was an awesome day and I got asked to do a write-up - follow the link for a quick read:
https://www.noobspearo.com/garmin-descent-mk2-sealife/" rel="nofollow - https://www.noobspearo.com/garmin-descent-mk2-sealife/

(A version of this also appeared in an online fishing magazine but I cannot remember which one)

Posted By: Telecaster
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2026 at 2:35pm
Nice! I saw some off the kayak in 50m out past Leigh Reef  a few years ago, there were 3 or 4 of them that I could see, pretty cool.

Posted By: DIY
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2026 at 7:40am
We also saw one on Thursday at one of the pins just past Cuvier Island.
Do they actually live here or are they passing through?

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Oh what a smasher - two eggs and a rasher!


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