We leave Cancún through the mangrove channels onto the turquoise waters between the mainland and Isla Mujeres. All we need now are manta rays but even without them a day at sea is all I need to feel alive. The sun is bright and clouds are nowhere to be seen. The glassy surface of the sea reflects like a mirror, allowing for “La Precisa”, our boat, to glide and make it to our destination in record time. Weather-wise, I’ve hardly ever taken a trip out with such fantastic conditions. This grants us the “Team Sidemount” nickname for the rest of the trip. We can change last minute if we want to but we are set on doing single sidemount dives. He makes sure we have everything we need and triple-checks if we are sure we would be ok diving sidemount as we had requested. Greeted by Rodrigo himself, we immediately feel at home and we are invited to board. And so we have to walk in shame to a boat full of ready and impatient divers. We, however, manage to arrive to Cancún late despite our efforts to make a good impression. Getting around is super easy and you can get excellent deals for car rentals in Cancún. We wake up to drive at 6.30am from Puerto Morelos where four of us reassemble from different parts of the Mayan Riviera. Getting to Manta Valley – An unforgettable day starts early It is exactly there that you can dive with dozens of giant manta rays, off the coast of Cancún, Mexico. They also initiate the discovery of dive sites and underwater wonders such as the now baptized Manta Valley. Beto and Rodrigo Friscione (father and son) lead diverse dive, photography and film projects. And it is not just any a tour operator, Solo Buceo has been a family exploration enterprise since the 70’s. I did not have to search much, there is only one provider you can take this trip with. But after many months of pandemic lockdown they were all in for some adventure. I did mention to them that this is a place I had never been to before and the encounters were not guaranteed. When it became a possibility to visit this mythical place in the Mexican Caribbean I immediately invited my close circle of friends to join this almost unique opportunity. It’s Mexico! I cannot say that I’ve seen it all, but I’ve been diving since I was a child, and ever since I became a scuba instructor in 2014 I’ve checked a few good items off the megafauna list such as whale sharks, sea lions, dolphins, and even orcas… I have seen manta rays a few times in my life too, both on the Pacific and Caribbean… But the trip we took to Manta Valley near Cancún left me speechless. It’s not the Maldives and it’s not Indonesia. A place where manta rays dance around you in dozens while they swim inches from your face. For a number of years I have heard the myth of Manta Valley.
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