Ray of Hope Expedition: Ecuador

[sgcmurie]

Join the ‘Queen of Mantas’: Dr. Andrea Marshall in Ecuador on an exclusive and groundbreaking research expedition to ‘The Island of Silver’.

While in Ecuador guests will learn about our world-leading research program, get exclusive access to lectures from our researchers about manta rays and other species of megafauna. Guests will also aid our scientists in the field as we collect tissue, mucus and plankton samples, measure the mantas with lasers, and deploy tags and listening stations around the island.

Our Ray of Hope Expedition to Ecuador is our most awe-inspiring expedition yet. Every single dive of our itinerary is to manta ray aggregation sites, so the chance of incredible encounters is very high. If you love manta rays and want to participate in research on them, this is the trip for you. If your not as manta ray obsessed as us, not to worry, we also have regular sightings of Mola mola, green sea turtles, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and humpback whales!! This is the very definition of a learning based holiday – filled with hands on citizen science, detailed lectures, a PADI recognised training courses in marine fieldwork (certification card included), even underwater photo and video tips from our experts.

Each of our expeditions will run for 7 days, with 6 days of diving. The diving conditions are suitable for advanced-open water divers only. Expeditions are limited to 6 guests to ensure that you get the most out of your time with us.

Our schedule:

Expedition 1: August 9th – 14th
Expedition 2: August 16th – 21st
Expedition 3: August 22nd – 28th**
Expedition 4: August 30th – September 4th
Expedition 5: September 6th – 11th
Expedition 6: September 13th – 18th

A minimum of two divemasters will be available at all times so that groups can be broken down even further to ensure better encounters with the manta rays. Participants will share ocean front accommodation at the Pacifico Hotel.

As we can guarantee incredible interactions with some of the oceans most awe-inspiring animals, we feel this trip really re-defines the term: ‘dive holiday’. Please don't hesitate to contact me at calum.murie@marinemegafauna.org or check out our website: . You do not want to miss out on some of the worlds best diving with some of the most prominent marine researchers on the planet!