September 17th
World Manta Day is returning on 17th September 2026! This special day has been created to celebrate manta rays and to raise awareness of the threats that these beautiful, mysterious ocean giants face.
Let’s get mantas trending! #worldmantaday
The theme of World Manta Day 2026 is
COLLABORATION
This year, World Manta Day shines a spotlight on Collaboration, highlighting how working together is the key to effective manta and devil ray conservation. From communities on the ground to international researchers, governments, and NGOs, it’s clear that we are stronger and more effective when united in our efforts to protect these iconic ocean giants.
At the Manta Trust, we act as an umbrella charity, bringing together a network of over 30 affiliate projects around the world. By sharing knowledge and coordinating efforts, we can drive conservation action on a global scale.
But conservation isn’t just the work of scientists and organisations. Everyone has a role to play - from supporting international protections to spreading awareness and sharing the stories that inspire change. Together, we are stronger. Together, we can ensure manta and devil rays not only survive but thrive.
Join us. Be a part of the movement.
#MantasTogether | #WorldMantaDay2026
Let us know if you have any events planned for World Manta Day 2026 that we can promote for you here!
RESOURCES
Check out our free resources, including social media posts and educational posters, to spread the word about World Manta Day. Click each image to open and download, and please share on your platforms and within your community!
Let’s get mantas trending! #WorldMantaDay
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
POSTERS
Despite their huge size, mantas feed on microscopic animals called zooplankton.
Manta rays are close relatives of all sharks and rays, meaning they have a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone.
Every manta ray has a unique spot pattern on its belly that can be used to identify it, just as we are identified by our fingerprints!
Manta rays are truly colossal, with some individuals reaching seven metres from wingtip to wingtip and weighing up to two tonnes!
Mantas give birth to a single pup after 12.5 months gestation.
As far as fish go, mantas have one of the largest brains. Their curiosity and complex social interactions certainly support that!
Mantas are completely harmless and are therefore popular with divers and snorkellers.
Sadly, manta and devil ray populations around the world are under threat and their numbers are falling in many regions.
Manta and devil ray gill plates are consumed as a psuedo-remedy in regions of China and East Asia. This is the main driving force behind their capture.
Manta and devil rays can get easily entangled in fishing nets and die as bycatch. Even when released alive, it doesn’t seem like they have good survival rates.
Unsustainable and unregulated tourism can drive mantas away from important cleaning and feeding sites through overcrowding and poor in-water behaviour.
Climate breakdown threatens to change the distribution and abundance of zooplankton which mantas feed on. Coral bleaching may also cause habitat destruction around cleaning stations.
Organisations working to protect manta rays around the world
This World Manta Day, share your love for manta rays by:
Submit your manta ID photos to research groups
Share your favourite manta photos and video on social media
#WorldMantaDay
Learn more and spread the word about these incredible animals!
Reduce your seafood consumption and only eat sustainably sourced species
Support manta ray charities and research groups
Be a responsible tourist and follow local code of conducts when swimming or diving with manta rays
Contact us.
If you have any questions about manta rays or want to organise a World Manta Day event, please get in touch and we’ll add it here!