Oceanic Manta Ray Scuba Fin Review

Torben Lonne
By
Torben Lonne
ByTorben Lonne
Editor and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
Torben traveled to South East Asia for scuba diving and never really stopped his search for new adventures. His affinity for gear that works and his...
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- Editor and Co-founder at DIVEIN.com
Oceanic Manta Ray fins and a mask on a concrete dock beside the water during DIVEIN testing
Put a mask next to them for scale and the point lands: these blades are long. Great for pushing water, less great for a carry-on that already has a regulator in it.
Close-up of the Oceanic Manta Ray fin blade showing its vented channel and side rails
The vent cut into the blade bleeds water off on the upstroke, which is what separates this from a flat paddle fin. It is a feature you feel in the legs rather than see in the water.
Top view of a single Oceanic Manta Ray fin showing the full blade and spring heel strap
Laid flat, the blade is long for an open-heel fin. That length is where the thrust comes from and also why these eat more luggage space than a compact travel fin.
Close-up of the stainless spring strap and heel loop on the Oceanic Manta Ray fin
Spring straps cost more than rubber and are worth it. Nothing to adjust between a 3mm boot and a drysuit boot, and no perished rubber snapping on you two years in.
Oceanic Manta Ray fin foot pocket with its moulded heel lever and coiled spring strap
The spring heel strap and oversized rubber pull tab are the practical part of this fin: you kick them on and off with cold hands and never touch a buckle.
Blade tip of the Oceanic Manta Ray fin with blue side rails and moulded Oceanic lettering
Look at the shape of the tip rather than the colour. The raised rails run the full length of the blade so water leaves off the end instead of spilling sideways.
Oceanic Manta Ray fin seen end on, showing the curved scoop across the blade
Seen straight down the blade the design makes sense: this is a scoop, not a flat paddle, so a kick pushes water backwards rather than out to the sides.

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About this review

To help you find a Scuba Fin that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of Scuba Fins

Recommended in: Scuba Fin

Disclosure: We are reader supported, and may earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us.

Things we like:

  • Excellent maneuverability
  • The strap system is durable and easy to use, even with gloves on
  • Deep channels should reduce drag
  • Won’t take up too much of your luggage allowance
  • Very easy to take off and put on
  • Comfortable on the heel
  • Powerful given the weight
  • Durable materials
  • Multiple color options

Things we don't like:

  • The lightweight design may not suit some female divers looking to avoid the floaty feet phenomenon.
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