Learning the ropes, with the Manta Caribbean Project.

Jun 9
2 min read

By Gabrielle Foreman

Our first day as a team was spent touring the island and getting an overview of the project. We visited Punta Sur, where we got acquainted with the turtle monitoring project. We hope to be able to help them out with their project during our stay.

We went to La Joya to swim, the tide was so high the beach had been swallowed up, with water up to the rocks! It’s hard to complain however, as it was so beautiful. The sand, littered with massive conch shells, the warm water, the perfect blue of the ocean, it was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

We spent the next two days preparing for our first day out on the boat.

It takes a lot of work to be able to run these boat trips, making sure ropes are organized, equipment and cameras are charged and working, and the captains need to check over all the boating equipment.

But finally, with everything in order, we set out on June 4th on our first boat trip as a team.

I genuinely could not describe to you in words how amazing it was, it really is something you must experience yourself. There was just so much to see that day, with what we estimated to be 30 Manta Rays that all needed to have their ID’s taken, we were running around and swimming like crazy!

We were accompanied by the wonderful Valentina Cucchiara, an amazing underwater photographer.

She took so many amazing photos, it was wonderful to have her on the boat with us. It was a magical experience, we could not be more grateful.

Our first boating adventure was so great that we decided we needed to go the next day!

Once again, the water was full of life, it’s like the Manta Rays had been waiting for us, wanting to say hi and have their pictures taken. There were just so many, you had no time to get out of the water because you would turn around to see another group heading your way. There were a ton of whale sharks too, so you needed to be mindful of your fins and your surroundings.

After each boating adventure, we stop to have

freshly made ceviche and a fruit plate, made by the wonderful captains Jesus and Lito. I need you to know, dear reader, that these are the best captains you will ever meet if you have the chance to take part in this program. It is the best ceviche and fruit you will ever taste, because it is made with love, and you worked hard to have it.