Manta expeditions planned for November

Divers on board MV Sea Spirit will be investigating of populations of juvenile manta rays this November.

Autumn is said to be the best time of year to see these amazing underwater creatures.

manta expert on board

Scuba Tours Worldwide has two special ‘Manta Research Expeditions’ scheduled from Nov 8th, overseen by manta expert, Dr Anne-Marie Kitchen Wheeler. Guests will be taught manta identification techniques from her during informal presentations. 

During the trip, at least two evenings of 3 hours each will be spent observing mantas in lagoons to log the total number of animals visiting the sites and to identify individual mantas. 

Anne-Marie has a jaw-dropping 2,300 mantas already logged in a database from her PhD studies and individuals are often re-sighted despite not being seen for a number of years – the longest gap between sightings is just over 12 years.

Data collection will be using still and video cameras, but organisers stress you don’t need to be an underwater photographer to join in – the trip is open to everyone and is ideal for those wishing to learn more about these beautiful creatures. 

To find out more, check out www.scubascuba.com/maldives/liveaboards/schedules.

STW also suggest you complete a ‘PADI Manta Diver Speciality’ during the trip. There really is a PADI course for everything…