Giant Manta rays pay visit to Nightcliff jetty at low tide

VIDEO: Nightcliff residents have been treated to a rare sight as three giant manta rays took advantage of the low tide to swim in close to the jetty for a bite to eat

NIGHTCLIFF residents have been treated to a rare sight as three giant Manta rays took advantage of the low tide to swim in close to the jetty for a bite to eat

The NT News understands three giant rays were nibbling on fish bait in the area about 10am — with one estimated to be an impressive 5m wide.

According to experts at the Australian Museum, the Manta ray was the largest species of ray in the world and could grow up to 9.1m wide.

They have only been reliably measured up to 6.7m — making the larger of Nightcliff’s recent visitor a sizeable ray.

They thrive in warm water, and are found in tropical, marine waters worldwide.