Showing posts with label manta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manta. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Friday, 10 July 2009
Manta Specialty Course at Matava
Do you know that the word Manta is the Spanish word for Blanket? I didn’t until just recently. I never dived with mantas before I came to Matava.
Here I am now though, diving with mantas as often as I can. It was Stuart's idea (he’s known for them), and a great one at that, why don’t we write a Manta Specialty course? So we did! And for the first time last weekend we ran it.
The course involves 2 Open water Dives and important information about Mantas and how to identify different species. It takes no more then a day to complete and then all the information and manta sightings we collect can then be logged on to the Global manta Database who’s principle goal is to identify resident Manta Rays and those that migrate.
So the first group of keen enthusiasts tried it out. Stine and Morton from Denmark, Minna from the USA, John and Hazel from England and Eric from Tasmania Australia. Photos were taken and divers were happy, a new Manta was named (after our friend Abbie Hines, one of the world's manta experts) and registered and all in all the day was a success.
Here I am now though, diving with mantas as often as I can. It was Stuart's idea (he’s known for them), and a great one at that, why don’t we write a Manta Specialty course? So we did! And for the first time last weekend we ran it.
The course involves 2 Open water Dives and important information about Mantas and how to identify different species. It takes no more then a day to complete and then all the information and manta sightings we collect can then be logged on to the Global manta Database who’s principle goal is to identify resident Manta Rays and those that migrate.
So the first group of keen enthusiasts tried it out. Stine and Morton from Denmark, Minna from the USA, John and Hazel from England and Eric from Tasmania Australia. Photos were taken and divers were happy, a new Manta was named (after our friend Abbie Hines, one of the world's manta experts) and registered and all in all the day was a success.
Meet Abbie, the smallest manta on the reef
The first Manta enthusiasts to complete the manta Specialty course (Doing the manta dance!)
Back: Stine, Minna, Hazel
Front Morton, Me (Kate), John
Back: Stine, Minna, Hazel
Front Morton, Me (Kate), John
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Joji the Bus driver
At 6pm every evening at Matava the distinct sound of the lali is heard through out the resort.
The guests and staff slowly make their way down to the main bure, the haven for the ritualistic combination of diving and fishing stories. It is during this hour that the conversation flows from the one that got away to debates on the actual size of the mantaray that the divers saw.
Joji or Maggie work behind the bar and with no 6 oclock news we only have each other to entertain ourselves and Joji to drive the bus.
Each evening brings new conversation from all types of different people, you never know who you might meet, where the conversation might lead or where Joji is driving us tonight.
The guests and staff slowly make their way down to the main bure, the haven for the ritualistic combination of diving and fishing stories. It is during this hour that the conversation flows from the one that got away to debates on the actual size of the mantaray that the divers saw.
Joji or Maggie work behind the bar and with no 6 oclock news we only have each other to entertain ourselves and Joji to drive the bus.
Monday, 13 April 2009
The Manta Dance
The Manta Dance
So another breakfast we are served 'happy diver muffins' with eggs and 'maybe might see Manta toast'.
Myself and Sadie and Matt from Guam and Mark from Brisbane head out to Manta Reef for our morning dives. The 40 minute drive to this dive site is scattered with flying fish and a few yellow fin to keep us entertained. We drop down to 18m and move slowly across this flat topped coral bed that slowly undulates into two small but rather wide sea mounts.
This the Manta feeding site! So I begin the Manta dance, the calling of the mantas, the most hypnotically alluring dance, Yeah right! So it doesnt work, No Manta's in sight!
Soon the four of us are dancing, if you can call it that. Matt spots a swim through and signals that he's gonna take a look, him and Mark head down while myself and Sadie cruise over the top, a beautiful school of baracuda are waiting for us on the other side and as Matt fumbles with his camera to get a good shot, out of no where emerges our dancing partner - shiny, so graceful, black polished back with a gleaming white belly, slowly cruising, putting our dance to shame.
Our mouths are wide open just like the Mantas, except he is feeding and we are in awe of this beautiful creature. And soon another and another. It doesn't get much better then this!
Kate the Kiwi Diving Instructor at Mad Fish Dive Centre
So another breakfast we are served 'happy diver muffins' with eggs and 'maybe might see Manta toast'.
Myself and Sadie and Matt from Guam and Mark from Brisbane head out to Manta Reef for our morning dives. The 40 minute drive to this dive site is scattered with flying fish and a few yellow fin to keep us entertained. We drop down to 18m and move slowly across this flat topped coral bed that slowly undulates into two small but rather wide sea mounts.
This the Manta feeding site! So I begin the Manta dance, the calling of the mantas, the most hypnotically alluring dance, Yeah right! So it doesnt work, No Manta's in sight!
Soon the four of us are dancing, if you can call it that. Matt spots a swim through and signals that he's gonna take a look, him and Mark head down while myself and Sadie cruise over the top, a beautiful school of baracuda are waiting for us on the other side and as Matt fumbles with his camera to get a good shot, out of no where emerges our dancing partner - shiny, so graceful, black polished back with a gleaming white belly, slowly cruising, putting our dance to shame.
Our mouths are wide open just like the Mantas, except he is feeding and we are in awe of this beautiful creature. And soon another and another. It doesn't get much better then this!
Kate the Kiwi Diving Instructor at Mad Fish Dive Centre
Sunday, 29 March 2009
underwater.com.au | Listing | Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Experience fantastic fish, pristine corals, Mantas and sharks. Try big game fishing, snorkeling, sailing, sea kayaking, trekking, and join in authentic cultural and village events!
No roads, solar power, low carbon footprint make Matava the ideal and environmentally responsible location to relax and unwind.
Affiliation:
PADI ResortTraining Level:
Up to DivemasterBoat Description:
Our 3 Islander Dive Boats can take 6 divers and a divemaster each, keeping in-water groups small at all times.A full range of safety equipment (inc. oxygen) is carried. All boats in full Fiji survey.
Sites Visited:
We have over 20 named sites and countless un-named and unexplored sites. Diving is either in or around the 5 passages in the Astrolabe Reef or on the outer reef slope. The passages have large fish (barracuda, jacks, groupers etc), sharks and soft corals. The outer reef is unsurpassed hard quality and reef fish diversity. On Manta Reef we see Mantas on over 80% of our dives all year round !underwater.com.au | Listing | Matava - Fiji's Premier Eco Adventure Resort
Saturday, 13 December 2008
Manta & Whale Shark Research Centre, Mozambique - Manta ray research
POPULATION ECOLOGY OF MANTA RAYS (Manta birostris)
OVERALL OBJECTIVES
The manta rays are the largest living ray in the ocean. Measured by their wingspan, individuals have been known to reach over 7m in disc width. Like many other large marine megafauna, manta rays are planktivores, feeding on small marine invertebrates and occasionally small fish.
As human pressures increase worldwide manta ray populations have declined in many areas where they were once common. There is a notable contrast between the few reasonably protected populations, such as in Yap and the Hawaiian Islands, where economically valuable ecotourism and dive operations exist, and populations in areas where fisheries target the species, such as along the coast of Africa, South East Asia, and in Mexico. Sadly, due to many of their life history traits mantas are highly vulnerable to over-fishing, and there looms a genuine threat of localised extinction of certain populations.
Currently there are no comprehensive management programs for manta rays anywhere in the world, yet they are listed by the IUCN as ‘near threatened’ or ‘vulnerable’ to extinction throughout their distribution. Acquiring accurate information on population dynamics, lifespan, reproductive parameters, growth rates and natural mortality rates is crucial to understanding the conservation requirements of a species. Additional information on the life history of manta rays is sorely needed to supplement the paucity of existing data.
Site fidelity, movement patterns and habitat usage are also essential pieces of information needed to properly manage a species. This type of information can highlight an animal’s potential susceptibility to fishing pressures and help determine critical habitats and seasonal migration routes. Once biological and ecological information has been acquired however, real efforts need to be made to protect these identified areas.Beyond this, fishing, diving, etc. must be regulated to some degree in order to ensure the sustainability of fisheries and eco-tourism in specific locations that might otherwise receive intense anthropogenic pressure.
Manta & Whale Shark Research Centre, Mozambique - Manta ray research
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Save Our Seas Foundation - Manta Rays: A new species?
Manta Rays: A new species? A second, and possibly third, species of manta ray has been discovered in the World’s oceans. This is the biggest news to date to come out of ray research, and its importance is the marine equivalent of discovering an unknown species of elephant. The discovery however, has implications that go far beyond the breaking news of scientific journals, as it will deeply affect real world conservation ideas and policies.
After suspecting the existence of a second species Andrea began studying other populations across the globe. Through genetic and morphological analysis she confirmed that there is indeed a second, and possibly a third, species of manta ray that exists across temperate, tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. The two species have mainly overlapping distributions, but their lifestyles differ greatly; one is migratory and the other is resident to particular areas along the coast.
The larger, ocean wanderer knows no borders, making collaboration between countries on its protection essential, whereas protective measure within countries must be enforced to avoid resident manta ray populations crashing. Habitat degradation, harassment by boat traffic and even divers who interact with them at critical habitats such as cleaning stations and breeding areas are other threats these graceful animals face. They also fall victim to ghost nets and are killed alongside many other marine creatures as by-catch.
Andrea’s obsession with sharks travelled with her from the tender age of five until university when she discovered how little was known about their cartilaginous cousins, manta rays. Undeterred by the difficulties such research would involve she sold her belongings and in 2003 moved to a small coastal village in southern Mozambique, to become the first marine biologist to study manta rays off the African coast. Through her observations of the unique spot patterning on the ventral surface of each ray Andrea has identified over 900 individuals on a single reef, and she believes southern Mozambique may boast the largest known population of manta rays in the world.
Discoveries about the reproductive behaviour of these highly social and inquisitive creatures have also been an important outcome of Andrea’s research. Manta rays are now known to give birth to a single large offspring of about 1.4m after a year of gestation and, once reaching maturity at about 4m across, typically produce a pup every other year. Elaborate and sophisticated courtship displays are performed and they may communicate with one another using specific body posturing and perhaps sound.
Learn more about Andrea's research project in Mozambique here.
Save Our Seas Foundation - Manta Rays: A new species?
 Andrea studies a manta ray off Mexico. | For the past five years the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) has sponsored Andrea Marshall, a PhD marine biologist in a quest to make advances in the scientific knowledge of these winged beauties of the sea, whose large triangular pectoral fins can span almost 8m in width and whose weight can reach over 2000kg. Manta rays, which are totally harmless and do not possess a stinging barb, are the largest of over 500 different species of rays and skates, and although divers have noted variations in physical appearance they were previously believed to be the same kind. |
After suspecting the existence of a second species Andrea began studying other populations across the globe. Through genetic and morphological analysis she confirmed that there is indeed a second, and possibly a third, species of manta ray that exists across temperate, tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. The two species have mainly overlapping distributions, but their lifestyles differ greatly; one is migratory and the other is resident to particular areas along the coast.
| Other differences between the two species lie in their colour, skin texture, reproductive biology, and the presence of a non-functioning type of sting on the tail of one of the species. The smaller, more commonly known manta ray, resides in the same areas year round and is often encountered at coral reefs where they congregate to be cleaned by parasite-eating fish in locations such as Hawaii, the Maldives, Mozambique, Australia, Japan and the Island of Yap. Due to their residential nature they face a grave threat from unsustainable fisheries, as other manta rays will not replace a dwindling population, making their regional extinction a likely possibility. |  The more common resident manta ray. (Photo © Thomas Peschak) |
 The larger species of manta ray. (Photo © Andrea Marshall) | Far less is known about the larger species, as it appears to be more migratory and elusive, shying away from divers rather than seeking interaction as its smaller cousin often does. Andrea has only ever witnessed it arriving at sea-mounts or at particularly productive areas along the coastline to feed on plankton before disappearing into the blue once again. Little is known about its behaviour or migratory patterns, though it appears to be targeted heavily by fisheries, particularly in Southeast Asia, where thousands are killed each year. The discovery of two distinct species has huge implications for the conservation management and protection of these mysterious gentle giants. |
The larger, ocean wanderer knows no borders, making collaboration between countries on its protection essential, whereas protective measure within countries must be enforced to avoid resident manta ray populations crashing. Habitat degradation, harassment by boat traffic and even divers who interact with them at critical habitats such as cleaning stations and breeding areas are other threats these graceful animals face. They also fall victim to ghost nets and are killed alongside many other marine creatures as by-catch.
Andrea’s obsession with sharks travelled with her from the tender age of five until university when she discovered how little was known about their cartilaginous cousins, manta rays. Undeterred by the difficulties such research would involve she sold her belongings and in 2003 moved to a small coastal village in southern Mozambique, to become the first marine biologist to study manta rays off the African coast. Through her observations of the unique spot patterning on the ventral surface of each ray Andrea has identified over 900 individuals on a single reef, and she believes southern Mozambique may boast the largest known population of manta rays in the world.
Discoveries about the reproductive behaviour of these highly social and inquisitive creatures have also been an important outcome of Andrea’s research. Manta rays are now known to give birth to a single large offspring of about 1.4m after a year of gestation and, once reaching maturity at about 4m across, typically produce a pup every other year. Elaborate and sophisticated courtship displays are performed and they may communicate with one another using specific body posturing and perhaps sound.
 Watch a video of Andrea Marshall talking about her discovery. | SOSF aims to learn more about the role of marine species, particularly sharks and rays, and through this knowledge it hopes to raise awareness and conserve the marine realm. Andrea’s many hours underwater have produced information critically needed for the protection of these threatened animals. We now know that there are at least two species, but we need to know a great deal more about their population structure and distribution so that we can devise and implement improved protection measures. |
Save Our Seas Foundation - Manta Rays: A new species?
Manta Rays: A new species?
The discovery that was announced by Andrea Marshall at the first International Manta Symposium held in Montreal last July. The discovery has important implications as it will significantly affect real world conservation ideas and policies.
The Manta Network -- Save-the-Mantas
Monday, 15 September 2008
Beqa Island forum: has anyone stayed at beqa lagoon resort? - TripAdvisor
Beqa Island forum: has anyone stayed at beqa lagoon resort? - TripAdvisor
"Ducks i'm not from Fiji nor have i ever been to fiji but i've been extensivly researching my vacation there for April. We decided on the Macamuncas for many reasons but after everything was booked and paid for i descovered this resort called Matava on the southern island of Kadavu.
If i had seen this before my vacation was booked i would have definatly checked it out. www.matava.com From what it looks like its a more private laid back resort slightly off the beaten path.
They also look like they have some awsome dive sites like the Astrolabe Reef. And a Manta Reef. Apperently this Manta Reef is one of the few places in the world where Manta Rays can be seen Regularly. I'm considering booking my next vacation just to go down and see the Mantas. But like i said i've never been, i just think you should check it out before you book."
Beqa Island forum: has anyone stayed at beqa lagoon resort? - TripAdvisor
"Ducks i'm not from Fiji nor have i ever been to fiji but i've been extensivly researching my vacation there for April. We decided on the Macamuncas for many reasons but after everything was booked and paid for i descovered this resort called Matava on the southern island of Kadavu.
If i had seen this before my vacation was booked i would have definatly checked it out. www.matava.com From what it looks like its a more private laid back resort slightly off the beaten path.
They also look like they have some awsome dive sites like the Astrolabe Reef. And a Manta Reef. Apperently this Manta Reef is one of the few places in the world where Manta Rays can be seen Regularly. I'm considering booking my next vacation just to go down and see the Mantas. But like i said i've never been, i just think you should check it out before you book."
Beqa Island forum: has anyone stayed at beqa lagoon resort? - TripAdvisor
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Manta Diving At Its Best
12/1/08
We dropped in on Manta reef hoping for a good day. But it was more than good, it was special. We saw the first Manta after about 5 mins, I just caught a glimpse of the wing tip as it cruised along the top if the reef. As we made our way along the reef another manta came past us, another monster at just under 4m, but white underneath with “go fatser” stripes on top. They disappeared, then minutes later they both came back into view with another smaller black one behind. 3 mantas flying in formation. That’s what I’m talking about!
As we got to the end of the reef and turned around, two of them came directly towards us and, as we watched them turn back the other way, the third came from behind and no-one knew where to look. We headed back and I remember thinking, “that was a bit special”. But that was just the beginning.
After a few minutes we bumped into Joe’s group and he signalled that one was barrel rolling, so we went to check it out. We were met with the 4m black manta barrel-rolling about 3m away from us. He moved along a bit and suddenly the dive went crazy. Joe was pointing up at a 4th small white manta barrel rolling above us and the other 3 big ones were putting on the most amazing arial display I’ve ever seen.
The RAF Red Arrows haven’t got shit on these guys. We were surrounded by 3 enormous mantas rolling over and over and a smaller one going crazy above our heads. Diving does not get any better!
We dropped in on Manta reef hoping for a good day. But it was more than good, it was special. We saw the first Manta after about 5 mins, I just caught a glimpse of the wing tip as it cruised along the top if the reef. As we made our way along the reef another manta came past us, another monster at just under 4m, but white underneath with “go fatser” stripes on top. They disappeared, then minutes later they both came back into view with another smaller black one behind. 3 mantas flying in formation. That’s what I’m talking about!
As we got to the end of the reef and turned around, two of them came directly towards us and, as we watched them turn back the other way, the third came from behind and no-one knew where to look. We headed back and I remember thinking, “that was a bit special”. But that was just the beginning.
After a few minutes we bumped into Joe’s group and he signalled that one was barrel rolling, so we went to check it out. We were met with the 4m black manta barrel-rolling about 3m away from us. He moved along a bit and suddenly the dive went crazy. Joe was pointing up at a 4th small white manta barrel rolling above us and the other 3 big ones were putting on the most amazing arial display I’ve ever seen.
The RAF Red Arrows haven’t got shit on these guys. We were surrounded by 3 enormous mantas rolling over and over and a smaller one going crazy above our heads. Diving does not get any better!
Monday, 9 June 2008
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Team Japan - Maro and Hiros
Last week we had 2 Japanese guys, Maro……… and Hiro ……. From …….., who were staying at Matava while making a 2 hr documentary on Fiji. So I took them diving, with their enormous cameras and lighting and we had a great time.
The first day we did 4 dives, the first 2 at Naiqoro Passage, where we saw grey reef and white tip sharks, giant groupers, turtles and huge schools of snapper. In the afternoon we headed to small point and had a nice chilled out time on the stunning hard coral, where the visibility was lovely. Then in the evening we headed to one of the beacons near Korolevu Passage and had a fantastic night dive.
The next day we went to Manta Reef and on the first dive got some great footage of a manta. Dive 2 was excellent. After just a few minutes, the same manta as the first dive turned up and came pretty close to the camera. As he cruised past and Maro was filming, I saw another one coming behind him. His face was hilarious when he turned round to see a 4m manta basically flying into his camera. A mixture of holy #*&! and pure excitement. We had a third manta join them towards the end and when air was getting low it was hard for me to persuade them to ascend. The footage was fantastic though.
So if you’re in Japan in February, watch some TV and you might see Matava become famous!
Domo arigato Team Japan.
The first day we did 4 dives, the first 2 at Naiqoro Passage, where we saw grey reef and white tip sharks, giant groupers, turtles and huge schools of snapper. In the afternoon we headed to small point and had a nice chilled out time on the stunning hard coral, where the visibility was lovely. Then in the evening we headed to one of the beacons near Korolevu Passage and had a fantastic night dive.
The next day we went to Manta Reef and on the first dive got some great footage of a manta. Dive 2 was excellent. After just a few minutes, the same manta as the first dive turned up and came pretty close to the camera. As he cruised past and Maro was filming, I saw another one coming behind him. His face was hilarious when he turned round to see a 4m manta basically flying into his camera. A mixture of holy #*&! and pure excitement. We had a third manta join them towards the end and when air was getting low it was hard for me to persuade them to ascend. The footage was fantastic though.
So if you’re in Japan in February, watch some TV and you might see Matava become famous!
Domo arigato Team Japan.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Continuous underwater video monitoring systems
Ocean Presence Technologies (OPT) offers a family of continuous underwater video monitoring systems that can be controlled over the Internet. Developed for manta ray research for The Manta Network, the camera systems are now being offered for a wide range of other applications.
OPT's Underwater IP Camera (UWIPCam®, OceanCam®, AquariCam®) is the first video camera system that can be controlled over the Internet from anywhere in the world. Four models are available: OPT-02 AquariCam, OPT-03 Shallow Ocean model rated to 60 feet, OPT-04 is a Deep Ocean model rated to 150 feet and coming soon, the Ultra-deep Ocean system (OPT-05/06) that will go to depths of 250-400 feet.
The underwater video camera system can be used in a wide range of situations. The applications for housed PTZ camera systems whether for marine and aquatic or terrestrial placement include:
Research -- Manta ray and other animal/plant applications (marine, freshwater, land)
Telepresence & Education -- live educational experiences delivered to computer screens anywhere on the planet including classrooms. Applications include: Aquariums, zoos, commercial exhibits, conservation oriented educational organizations and virtual entertainment.
Monitoring/surveillance/security applications (private, commercial or government) -- any company that operates in an underwater, high-humidity, low-light or corrosive environment. These include: water treatment, oil drilling, nuclear, corrosive material transporting, manufacturing and other security applications.
Promotion and advertising -- using real-time video to market and sell resorts, cruise ships or cause-related marketing organizations directly to prospective buyers.
Each camera sold benefits manta research!
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Matava Mantas on YouTube
Very cool Manta video, although IMO the music sucks! Why does everyone put BORING music to anything underwater. It's almost like bad porn music! How about some Buzzcocks or Stiff Little Fingers? It would certainly make it all a LOT more Fun! anyway that's my tuppence...
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Best Day Ever
Best Day Ever
A few people commented on the morose tone of my last entry, so I’m following it up with a cheery blog.
Just to add another twist to the story, I got the call a week ago saying my assignment was given the all-clear to return, so I’ve decided to spend another three months in Fiji to finish it off. But more on that later - first, a rundown on one of the most amazing days I’ve ever had. Ed and I hopped on an aeroplane down to Kadavu, an island half an hour’s flight to the south of Suva, to join Kellie, Cassie and Simo who were visiting from Australia for a few days relaxing Fiji-style. We reached Kadavu and after some miscommunication we found ourselves in the wrong boat heading the wrong way around the island, so a 40 minute trip became two and a half hours in a tinny. Instead of appreciating the gorgeous coastline we spent the whole trip kicking ourselves for the mix-up, and arrived slightly grumpy and crumpled.
With the sight of our friends though and the beautiful place we were in, we shook off the frustration, settled down to a cup of tea and began to soak up the surroundings. Matava is a small collection of bures nestled on the side of a hill, squeezed between coconut palms and looking out over turquoise waters. There’s no electricity so at dusk everyone is handed a kerosene lamp to carry around, and the food is some of the best I’ve had in Fiji.
Now to the amazing day. Kadavu is known for its diving, particularly the Astrolabe reef near Matava. We had plans of doing some diving while there, but woke up on our third day a bit tired and decided against it. Then at breakfast we discovered the site for the day was the Manta Reef, and immediately changed our minds. This is the spot where manta rays are often seen, and we tried desperately not to get our hopes up on the 45 min boat ride to the site - Joe, our dive master, said they see mantas on about 70% of dives there. We kitted up and splashed into the water, and less than five minutes in, what looked like a UFO glided past. We all watched in awe, the ray was about 3 m across and circled back a fewtimes inquisitively to
By jayscoh
February 16th 2007
Read the ful blog here... Best Day Ever
A few people commented on the morose tone of my last entry, so I’m following it up with a cheery blog.
Just to add another twist to the story, I got the call a week ago saying my assignment was given the all-clear to return, so I’ve decided to spend another three months in Fiji to finish it off. But more on that later - first, a rundown on one of the most amazing days I’ve ever had. Ed and I hopped on an aeroplane down to Kadavu, an island half an hour’s flight to the south of Suva, to join Kellie, Cassie and Simo who were visiting from Australia for a few days relaxing Fiji-style. We reached Kadavu and after some miscommunication we found ourselves in the wrong boat heading the wrong way around the island, so a 40 minute trip became two and a half hours in a tinny. Instead of appreciating the gorgeous coastline we spent the whole trip kicking ourselves for the mix-up, and arrived slightly grumpy and crumpled.
With the sight of our friends though and the beautiful place we were in, we shook off the frustration, settled down to a cup of tea and began to soak up the surroundings. Matava is a small collection of bures nestled on the side of a hill, squeezed between coconut palms and looking out over turquoise waters. There’s no electricity so at dusk everyone is handed a kerosene lamp to carry around, and the food is some of the best I’ve had in Fiji.
Now to the amazing day. Kadavu is known for its diving, particularly the Astrolabe reef near Matava. We had plans of doing some diving while there, but woke up on our third day a bit tired and decided against it. Then at breakfast we discovered the site for the day was the Manta Reef, and immediately changed our minds. This is the spot where manta rays are often seen, and we tried desperately not to get our hopes up on the 45 min boat ride to the site - Joe, our dive master, said they see mantas on about 70% of dives there. We kitted up and splashed into the water, and less than five minutes in, what looked like a UFO glided past. We all watched in awe, the ray was about 3 m across and circled back a fewtimes inquisitively to
By jayscoh
February 16th 2007
Read the ful blog here... Best Day Ever
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