Despite surveying everyday this week, the mantas have eluded our survey teams. All that we’ve recorded is the occasional glimpse of a shadowy figure underwater, or a flash of white wing tip in the distance.

This morning we set of early with the crew from Divine Diving onboard Naring, destined again for Manta Point. And the day felt different. Where all this week we’ve faced strong winds from the south, blowing against the tide and whipping the surface of the ocean into dancing white-capped waves, today dawned bright and calm and still.

We entered the water, and rode the current northwards, drifting with the tide to save our energy and air. The team – Satria, Vidlia, Ichsan and I – spread out across the reef in our flying V formation to cover more ground.

And where all this week we’ve found only empty ocean, today we were met by an honour parade dressed in white and black. Manta after manta seemed to be queuing up to meet us, and to present their underside for identification.

The manta parade

In total we recorded 8 mantas today. But why have they suddenly returned? Perhaps it’s because the wind is calmer, and the waves have flattened. Or maybe because today we surveyed during a rising tide. But I like to think that the mantas decided to join us, this year’s Guy Joseph MantaWatch Award winners and I, to commemorate a special day.

This diary post is dedicated to the memory of Guy Joseph (October 4, 1986 to October 14, 2011), a founding member of our team who continues to be an inspiration.