Women's Equality Day Snorkel Adventure

September 2023

On August 26, the Manta Trust team in Laamu Atoll in the Maldives organized a unique event to celebrate Women's Equality Day. Collaborating with the Women Development Committee of Kunahandhoo, they embarked on a snorkelling adventure.

Supported by the Maldives Underwater Initiative team, and helpers from various departments of Six Senses Laamu, they headed to Kunahandhoo island where they joined 15 women of different ages for the Women Equality Day snorkel.

Before the snorkelling, the Manta Trust, the Olive Ridley Project, and Maldives Resilient Reefs gave snorkel and safety briefings. They talked about the marine life they’d encounter as well as the importance of celebrating Women's Equality.

During the snorkelling expedition, they were so lucky to encounter a great diversity of marine life, such as hawksbill sea turtles, black tip reef sharks, lots of fish and the beautiful vibrant coral reef ecosystem in the shallow waters.

The team was incredibly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the snorkellers, in particular of one brave woman who hadn’t gone into the water since the tsunami in 2004. On that day, she told the team she overcame her fear.

This event celebrated equality, bravery, and the beauty of the ocean.

The team would like to thank Kunahandhoo for their warm welcome, and a special thanks to Ocean Wings Watersports, Deep Blue Divers, and the Six Senses Laamu team for their support in making this day a great success. The Manta Trust team in Laamu is so grateful to work within the MUI team, in which collaboration and teamwork are the backbone of all their work.

A special thank you to all of our Cyclone members who support our work and help make days like this possible.

Watch the video below, for exciting behind-the-scenes updates from the day!