I always wanted to see, let alone photograph this fantastic animal. I went to Madeira Island several times, on purpose, to try to achieve that, since 1986. No luck...
I tried in the Maldives Is., and could only get a short and far glimpse of 1, after a long boat journey.
I had just arrived in Madeira. Me and Goncalo were just looking at some Groupper, when we saw it.
After, it was beyond description! We played with the huge Manta for hours, or better still, she played with us... Good visibility, the right lens, and just 2 divers in the water... I feel now I must be the luckiest man alive!!!
Some Technical info: The Manta was around 4-4,5 meters. We were diving at a depth of -23 meters when we found her, we followed her all the way to the surface. (with computers beeping like mad...)We did 2 dives, same day. On the first I wasn't expecting such an encounter, I had my Sigma 28mm lens. Then we got new tanks, and I could change to a more suitable 14mm with WA dome. 3 kids were playing on a inflatable bed on the surface, and saw the whole ballet with us. When I surfaced near them, they were just speachless, they could not say a word...
I still dream of this hour...!!!