Ray Of Hope Expeditions

24/01/2024

We have just returned from such a successful trip out to the Revillagigedos Archipelago. Our team managed to support new telemetry research on giant oceanic manta rays with Madalena Cabral and Pelagios Kakunjá, we managed to get 19 IDs to contribute to the local photo database and Manta Matcher - the Wildbook for Manta Rays and we managed to get some great educational media for Marine Megafauna Foundation's youth education programs. But by far my favorite part was helping many happy clients have their dream encounters with mantas. It always makes me so happy when things come together like this. Such a great group and such a wonderful trip. Thanks to all that participated, particularly the mantas :) -Andrea Marshall

08/11/2023

Reconnecting with nature is a must these days and this may be just what you need to start 2024 off with a bang!

Join the 'Manta Queen' herself, Dr. Andrea Marshall for a unique and unforgettable research expedition offshore Mexico to one of the greatest dive destinations on earth.

There are only a couple of spots left open on her January Ray Of Hope Expeditions trip to the Revillagigedos archipelago (which includes Socorro and San Benedicto) in the Mexican Pacific. Please see the link below for more information and contact us immediately if interested.

This is a super special and unique opportunity to join Andrea, her cameraman husband Janneman Conradie and manta researcher Madalena Cabral from Pelagios Kakunjá as they embark on a new collaboration to expand research on giant oceanic manta rays in the region.

The team will be doing all sorts of research on the trip, including satellite tagging. Participants will have access to multiple field researchers specializing in manta rays who will provide evening lectures, help with wildlife photography and make the trip super exciting for budding citizen scientists.

The expedition supports the on-going work of the Marine Megafauna Foundation's manta ray department around the world and is a great alternative to an 'ordinary dive holiday'.

The Revillagigedos archipelago is one of the premier pelagic dive destinations in the world and January is peak season. Experience up-close encounters with manta rays, sharks, tuna, humpback whales, dolphins and more... It is truly a destination not to be missed but also a fan favorite that can be visited over and over again. Bonus- it is close and easy to travel to from the US and Canada.

See details here: https://www.queenofmantas.com/ray-of-hope-expeditions

17/09/2023

Highlighting tourism on I want to encourage those who are fortunate enough to enjoy encounters with in the wild to help accelerate important research efforts by uploading critical identification images of their “belly prints” like this to local or global databases 🌍 including Manta Matcher - the Wildbook for Manta Rays, an open sourced online database from or from the

Imagine if all of the divers of the world were working to support science on threatened marine species how much faster we would reach our goals. Citizen science is revolutionizing our ability to study manta rays. Thank you to all that take the time to contribute, you are making a difference!! 🙏🏼

17/09/2023

The theme this is , which is an important topic. I certainly believe in the power of personally connecting with these amazing animals in their natural environment but there is a time, a place and a way to do it correctly.

There has been a lot of research into the negative impacts of tourism. We need to acknowledge that our desire to interact with these animals can cause them distress and even harm. Love them, but love them responsibly. Learn more about best interaction protocols, support responsible wildlife viewing operators and always put the animal first!

For interactions with mantas in the best aggregation sites in the world…

Marine Megafauna Foundation
Ray Of Hope Expeditions

17/09/2023

Happy World Manta Day!

It has been one of the privileges of my life to study this bizarre, beautiful, ocean icon. There is nothing quite like a manta- graceful, bold, curious, gentle, intriguing. Hands down my top ten ocean experiences have all been with mantas. One on one or in masses, they will take your breath away.

There is something very special when this animal intentionally approaches and looks straight into your eyes without fear or apprehension. Connecting with a wild animal like this will change you. Almost 30 years on from the first time I laid eyes on one, I am just as awestruck and just as humbled by every encounter, particularly when an individual chooses to investigate or interact with you of its own accord.

After two decades of research, I maintain there is still so much left to understand about mantas. Join us at as we continue to unravel the mysteries of these ocean enigmas. Feel free to ask your burning questions about mantas today and I will do my best to answer them, as we spread manta love across the 🌍.

As always, thank you for following and supporting our work…🙏🏼

28/08/2023

If you have not joined on one of our popular Ray of Hope Expeditions before you are missing out. Come see some of the best manta ray aggregation sites in the world with us, get lectures from top manta field researchers, support scientific missions and contribute to on-going studies by the Marine Megafauna Foundation and our collaborators. Travel doesn't just have to be a vacation, choose to give back while abroad and support meaningful work while having an experience of a lifetime. For more information and for a list of our upcoming trip options check out:

https://www.queenofmantas.com/ray-of-hope-expeditions

12/07/2023

Is there a more consistent place to dive with marine megafauna? Likely no. This is the place of big animal dreams, with water so blue it is almost indigo. Mantas, sharks, dolphins, whales, tuna it is almost a who's who of iconic species. We are running a unique expedition in January 2024 to the Revillagigedos Archipelago offshore Mexico (which includes Socorro, San Benedicto, and Roca Partida) where we will be collaborating with Pelagios Kakunjá to support giant oceanic manta research with Madalena Cabral. This is such an incredible dive destination, one of the best in the world. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national treasure of Mexico a visit should be on everyone's bucket list. For more details on this very special expedition please click on the link below.

www.queenofmantas.com/ray-of-hope-expeditions

Bespoke tours with manta rays all over the world Dive with Andrea Bazaruto Seascape, Mozambique MAY-OCTOBER 2024 / 2025 In a highly anticipated new offering, Andrea Marshall and Janneman Conradie want to welcome you to their base of operations in Vilanculos, Mozambique to share the secrets of the Ba...

16/02/2023

Just pulled into port from another magical Ray of Hope Expeditions trip around the Bird's Head Seascape, otherwise known as Raja Ampat. We had wonderful manta encounters along the way, with over 50 mantas seen various aggregation sites from Misool through the Dampier Straight. The biodiversity in Raja Ampat is astonishing and we were super fortunate to have incredible sightings of other weird and wonderful creatures as well. There is such beauty here. It is hard to describe how healthy the hard and soft corals on the reefs are, it seems as though every available space is occupied by some living organism. We have missed our trips here and were so grateful to be back in this location after such a long break due to COVID. This is definitely one of our favorite places in the world and the Coralia Liveaboard, Raja Ampat is the perfect boat to explore the seascape from. Please reach out if you are interested in visiting this location in the coming years. We would love to have you join us...

10/11/2022

So excited that this important study, revealing the largest population of giant oceanic manta rays in the world in Ecuador, has finally been published!

We worked for many many years seasonally at this amazing aggregation area along the coast documenting the largest manta rays I have ever seen in the largest gatherings I have ever encountered. The conditions were very challenging but I loved every second and I will always be grateful to the donors that helped to support the project, to all of the MMF researchers that assisted us over the years and the Ray Of Hope Expeditions participants that provided support and images over the years as well. At the end of the day this was a massive collaborative effort- which is the best kind of science - a study 14 years in the making.

Please read more about the findings of the study here:

New collaborative research on giant oceanic manta rays off the Ecuadorian coast has definitively identified more individuals than any other location in the world, with over 2,800 identified during the 14-year study period.

21/09/2022

Two spaces just opened up for a couple in a Master Cabin on our fabulous Ray of Hope Expeditions trip to Raja Ampat, February 5th to the 15th next year. It is during peak manta season and we will be touring from Misool to the Dampier Straight covering the best of what Raja has to offer. This is a trip of a lifetime aboard the multi award-winning Coralia Liveaboard, Raja Ampat who's crew will spoil you rotten. Could be the best Valentine's Day present you ever give each other ;)

Please contact us if you are interested in joining me and Janneman Conradie in paradise and we will send you more information.

17/09/2022

Happiest everyone!

I love that there is a dedicated day to celebrate these incredible creatures, even though my team at Marine Megafauna Foundation and I really celebrate them all year round!

Please check out my Instagram posts at to learn about my top most impressionable moments with mantas, which ultimately inspired a lifetime of love and service. MMF will also be sending around an update from our manta teams around the world recapping some of the amazing long-term work we are doing with manta rays.

I hope you take the time today to share your favorite manta stories online or donate to one of your favorite manta ray charities. I am off to the reef to hopefully celebrate with the mantas in person ;) I hope to see some of you on our upcoming expeditions with mantas!

05/06/2022

After a long hiatus due to COVID we are back planning our expeditions from 2023 onwards! Take a look at what we have on offer so far and read over our exciting new itteneraries! We will continue to add new destinations over the course of the year so keep checking back!

“Making a difference out in the field and playing an active role in the protection of our oceans is a rewarding and life changing experience.” -Andrea Marshall Most people that love the ocean dream about playing a more active role in education, research or conservation. Who wouldn’t want to ge...