24/04/2026
2019, Maldives. Just before the world changed.
Small group, 4 or 5 of us, dropped onto a Manta cleaning station. Heavy rain above.. and that soft, constant sound of it hitting the surface once you’re underwater.
At 22 metres, the light fades. Everything turns this deep, quiet blue. You sit still. You wait. You let them come.
Mantas don’t rush. They glide in, slow, effortless.. like they own the place.
I moved away from the group a little, maybe 10 or 15 metres. No real reason, just instinct. And then one of them changed direction. Straight towards me.
After years diving, you feel when something isn’t random. She wasn’t passing by.. she was coming to me.
As she got closer, the scale hits you. You think you understand their size until they’re right above you.
I lifted my camera and just hoped.. please fit in the frame.
She came so close I could’ve touched her. Then she was gone.
And somehow, that single moment stayed. Still grateful that something so majestic and free decided I was worth a moment.
07/04/2026
If you see this, that means it’s time to organise a diving trip with your mates!!
& how does wreck diving in Greece sound? 😉🤿
