Mantas of the Maldives

Julian Cohen · Issue 46, Jan/Feb 2009 · pp. 63–66

Products mentioned: Nikon D200, Subal housing, Ikelite TTL strobe, Magic Filter, Nikon 12-24mm lens, Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 lens

Sharks, Whale Sharks, Mantas. These animals are right at the top of many divers’ list of “things to see underwater before I die”. For me it has always been Manta Rays. There is something fascinating about an animal that compared to humans is so massive, that moves in such a fluid, balletic style and that you know is not going to harm you in any way. Before I went to the Maldives I had been to some of the prime Manta spots in Asia with very limited success. Nothing at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang; a fleeting glimpse of a black outline in the distance at Koh Bon; forty five minutes in the cold cold water at Manta Point in Bali trying to peer into the blue for the distinctive profile that would never appear. I had one magical experience last year with my good friend and dive instructor Alex Mahoney at a secret spot he knows off Phuket. Three Mantas came and swam with us for ten minutes. We were …