Chasing a Childhood Dream in the Endless Blue Waters of the Caribbean

Fieldwork Manta Caribbean Project

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Since I was a little girl, I always felt a special connection with animals. Not in the general “I like animals” way, but something deeper. I used to genuinely believe I could understand them. Around the same age, my parents signed me up for swimming classes, and soon after that, my life began to revolve around the water. The water become everything. I spent eight years of my life as a professional swimmer. It shaped how I moved, how confident I become, how I breathed and even how I thought. And somewhere in that whirlwind, a dream started forming in my head. I wanted to become a mermaid. That way, I could swim endlessly and interact with animals all day long. It might sound silly, but when we’re little, our imagination knows no limits. We believe that anything and everything is possible… right?

And one day, my swim coach introduced me to monofins. Just like that, I became a finswimmer. And suddenly I became one step closer to my childhood dream.

Eventually, things changed. I grew up and realized that competitions weren't where my heart was. I left my swimming journey behind and turned my focus to academics and performing arts. At 17, I moved abroad and started a science degree in London. On a random school day, Marine Biology was introduced to my life by a researcher. I still remember how everything clicked the moment I heard about it. This was what I had been searching for. My childhood dream came back to life, no longer just a silly dream, but something I could actually pursue.

After that, everything changed. I changed universities, moved to a new city, became a scuba diver, and later trained as a certified scientific diver. Then, one day, while casually checking my emails, I came across a volunteer opportunity with the Manta Caribbean Project. I reached out to Karen, and after our very first meeting, I knew this was the right place for me. Her passion was inspiring, and she seemed like the perfect person to lead such an impactful project.

Although I had spent years in the ocean, I had never swum alongside truly gigantic marine animals before. Just knowing that this was about to happen filled me with excitement. As soon as my final exams ended, I packed my bags and started the long journey from Sheffield to Isla Mujeres.

We arrived on the island late at night. The next morning, we woke up to the first day of July, wandered around Isla Mujeres, and took a day to settle in. On the following day, Karen gave us our first presentation about manta rays. She told us that the weather looked perfect for the week ahead and that our first field trip would be on Wednesday. We learned how to prepare the equipment, follow the protocols, and collect data correctly.

ISLA MUJERES ISLAND

Our first field day began early, at 5:30 in the morning. We checked our gear, gathered our supplies, and headed to the dock. As soon as we reached the site around 8:45, we witnessed our first breaching. The moment I jumped into the water to take a photo ID of a manta was truly life changing. Being in the same space as these gentle giants, knowing they were just within reach, was a feeling I can't fully describe. That day, we encountered at least 30 breaches. Mantas were everywhere. And it didn’t stop there. We also saw a huge group of Cownose rays, probably over 200 of them.

Cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus)

In the days that followed, we learned how to identify mantas through photos and entered the data we had collected.

Research team @mantamexicocaribe Pic by Valentina Cucchiara. Atlantic Manta (Mobula yarae).

We also helped with grant proposals and sorted through microplastic samples in preparation for the next field trip.

One of the most valuable lessons we learned during our time in the field was that every ocean day was different. The ocean would always find a way to surprise you. On our second trip, we saw many feeding whale sharks and were able to take photo IDs of them. Although we witnessed a few manta breaches, we couldn't get close enough for IDs. Still, the day was filled with magic. We saw hundreds of turtles, collected microplastic samples using the manta trawl, and gathered plankton to photograph under a magnified phone lens. We also used the CTD as usual and returned to land with many data.

Microplastic research Manta Trawl

Our third and last field day had its own kind of magic. We started the day like the others, and although we didn’t see any mantas or breaches, something incredible happened. A large group of dolphins surrounded our boat. We jumped into the water to swim with them, following their movements and observing their behavior. A few curious ones even swam up close to take a look at us. We ended the day with fresh ceviche and guacamole prepared by our amazing captain. And just like that, the field days were over.

These three weeks of volunteering were truly life-changing. I learned so much, not only through the fieldwork but also from the scientific research behind it. Isla Mujeres was a dream with its beautiful sunsets and delicious Mexican food. More than anything, I learned that projects like this are only possible through great teamwork, dedication, and a shared love for the ocean. That is where the real magic comes from.

Field work Manta México Caribe Team

As I write this blog from the airport, heading off to my next adventure, I can say wholeheartedly that I will never forget this experience. I will miss it deeply. I’m so grateful to Manta México Caribe for making this opportunity possible and for trusting us with their years of work on mantas. I’m also thankful to Emi, my amazing roommate and fellow volunteer. I hope to cross paths with you both again, somewhere out on the ocean.