Manta rays are taking centre stage in the Maldives this September as Kandooma Maldives launches its third annual Manta Month, celebrating one of the ocean’s most graceful inhabitants while raising awareness of their conservation.
Located in South Malé Atoll, Kandooma is close to several important manta habitats, with activity in the surrounding waters typically peaking between July and November.
Throughout September, divers and snorkellers will have opportunities to join guided excursions to known manta hotspots, where the resort’s marine team and Kandooma Dive will share insights into manta behaviour and the challenges these animals face.
Conservation is a major focus of the month, with reef and island clean-ups alongside educational activities designed to encourage guests and the local community to learn more about mantas and their marine environment.
The programme also highlights the story of ‘Kandooma’, a manta ray rescued in August 2023 after becoming entangled in discarded fishing gear close to the island – a reminder of the threat ghost nets continue to pose to marine life.
Manta Month will also raise funds for the Manta Trust, with US$5 donated for every manta pendant sold at the resort during September to support manta research, education and conservation.
With September falling within one of the key periods for manta encounters in the Maldives, the month-long celebration aims to ensure that seeing these spectacular rays in the wild comes with a greater understanding of why protecting them matters.
Source: https://www.traveltrademaldives.com/kandooma-maldives-announces-third-annual-manta-month-this-september/
Jane MorganJane’s lifelong love for the ocean began in childhood and has shaped the course of her life and career. After learning to dive in 1991, she spent much of the '90s teaching scuba and working on marine conservation projects in the Philippines and Borneo. A chance encounter with a film camera on a dive trip to Egypt in 2001 ignited a passion for underwater photography, inspiring her to leave the corporate world and pursue a full-time career in dive travel and photojournalism.
Since then, her work has been published in a wide range of national and international magazines, books, and newspapers. She has filmed underwater for the BBC, judged major photography competitions, and received numerous accolades—including the prestigious Plongeur d'Or at the Festival Mondial de l'Image Sous-Marine. In 2009, Jane became a freelance photojournalist, and in 2011 completed a BA (Hons) in Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University, where she now works as a Dive Safety Officer.
Based in Cornwall, Jane dives locally year-round and is passionate about showcasing the rich marine life found in UK waters. As a proud ambassador for Dynamic Nord and Fathoms Free, she actively supports marine conservation initiatives and advocates for ocean protection through her storytelling.
In her newest role with Scubaverse, Jane combines her love of travel, diving, and storytelling—sharing experiences from around the world to inspire others to explore, protect, and connect with the underwater world.
