January 2025
The Manta Trust Offers Transformative Volunteer Time Off Expeditions
Imagine if your employees could swap their desks for pristine dive sites, contribute to vital marine conservation, and still earn their salary. The Manta Trust, a global leader in manta ray conservation, is offering forward-thinking companies an extraordinary opportunity to combine corporate social responsibility with life-changing team-building experiences.
With its Volunteer Time Off (VTO) expeditions, the Manta Trust invites businesses to immerse their teams in purposeful adventure. These one-week-long trips take participants to some of the world’s most stunning marine ecosystems, where they transform into citizen scientists, directly contributing to the conservation of manta and devil rays.
© Jasmine Corbett
A Blend of Adventure and Impact
The expeditions, led by Manta Trust marine scientists, provide participants with hands-on opportunities to engage in critical research. Employees photograph manta rays for identification databases, survey habitats, and collect data that informs conservation strategies on a global scale. Beyond research, the trips include beach clean-ups, local community outreach, and workshops on marine conservation.
Participants explore iconic destinations such as the turquoise atolls of the Maldives, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and Komodo, Ecuador’s Isla de la Plata, and Mexico’s Revillagigedo Archipelago. These locations are not only home to some of the world’s most vibrant marine life but also serve as crucial habitats for manta rays, which are classified as endangered or vulnerable due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.
“Swimming alongside these majestic creatures is not just an incredible experience—it’s a chance to make a real difference,” says Dr. Guy Stevens, Manta Trust’s CEO and Co-Founder.
© Kaitlyn Zerr
Benefits for Businesses and the Planet
The Manta Trust’s VTO expeditions represent a win-win for businesses and the environment. Companies gain a unique opportunity to:
Boost Employee Engagement: Employees return with renewed motivation, a sense of achievement, and unforgettable memories.
Foster Team Collaboration: Shared experiences in a novel environment naturally strengthen team bonds and morale.
Demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility: Aligning with a cause as vital as ocean conservation showcases a company’s commitment to sustainability.
Support Conservation Efforts: Participation funds crucial research and preservation initiatives, directly aiding the survival of manta rays.
“Participating in manta ray research expeditions has not only allowed us to learn new skills and collect important data, but it has also strengthened our bonds as colleagues. Stepping out of our office environment together for these expeditions has been a truly transformative experience,” said Hideyuki Komaki, a Salesforce employee who joined a Manta Trust VTO expedition.
© Jasmine Corbett
Why Manta Rays?
Manta rays are gentle giants of the ocean, with wingspans reaching up to a whopping eight metres, and are icons of marine biodiversity. Despite their importance, manta rays face increasing threats, making the Manta Trust’s work more critical than ever.
The Manta Trust is a UK-registered charity that coordinates manta ray conservation efforts across 21 countries. Through research, education, and collaboration, the organisation strives to safeguard these species and inspire global action for healthier oceans.
© Simon Hilbourne
Flexible and Tailored Opportunities
Whether joining a scheduled trip or designing a bespoke expedition exclusively for their team, businesses can participate in a way that suits their needs. Employees can use holiday leave or VTO days to join these impactful adventures.
Expeditions cater to all levels of experience, even offering scuba certification opportunities for beginners, ensuring everyone can fully engage with the experience.
© Jasmine Corbett
Join the Movement
Since the programme’s launch, over 200 employees from companies such as Salesforce have participated in ten expeditions, generating essential funding and data for manta ray conservation. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants describing the trips as both professionally enriching and personally transformative.
“By combining conservation with adventure, our expeditions inspire a deeper understanding of the ocean’s challenges and the power of collective action,” says Stevens. The Manta Trust’s VTO expeditions offer more than just an escape—they provide a purpose-driven journey that leaves a lasting impact on both participants and the planet.
Contact us today to learn more about how your organisation can join our highly-rated Citizen Science expeditions and make a lasting contribution to the ocean and its ecosystems.
© Jasmine Corbett
Press Release Credits
Written by: Jasmine Corbett
Images: Photographer’s credit in image file name – ensure that credit is given if images are used.
For Media Enquiries
Contact: Jasmine Corbett
Manta Trust Media and Communications Manager
Email: jasmine.corbett@mantatrust.org
About the Manta Trust
The Manta Trust is a UK-registered marine conservation charity dedicated to the research and protection of manta and devil rays and their habitats. Through research, education, and collaboration, the Manta Trust works to ensure a sustainable future for these extraordinary creatures.