Week 1: Becca

My first two weeks in Jangamo have been absolutely incredible!

I arrived at Guinjata Bay a week early to complete my Open Water PADI qualification, and the experience with Love the Oceans and Jays Dive School has been nothing short of amazing. Their warm hospitality made me feel safe and welcomed as I embarked on my diving journey in this stunning location!

During my initial week, the current group took me under their wing, involving me in their excursions and making me feel more than welcome. They also shared top tips and tricks that they had accumulated over their last five weeks (including ensuring your coconut bread supply is always stocked!) They took me along for a memorable surf trip to Tofo and to the ‘Top of the world’ for a stunning sunset.

In my second week, our focus shifted to training sessions where we consolidated essential knowledge and learned about Love the Oceans’ role as an NGO and their community-led conservation efforts. We put our newly acquired skills into practice by taking fish measurements and completing our first coral transect as a team!

In less than two weeks, I progressed from a novice diver to conducting my first transect dive and even completing a deep dive as part of my advanced certification. The highlight was encountering an Oceanic Manta ray! I can see why Manta Reef has previously been one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. It was a truly unforgettable dive!