Giant Mantas 

After a 15-year absence the Giant Mantas have returned to La Reina. Some of the Cortez Expeditions staff were around when the Mantas could be regularly seen around La Reina. The heartbreaking loss has turned to joy. These majestic and graceful animals have returned. From 2016 to 2017 mantas were sporadically seen at La Reina. 2018 has been an incredible season with more than 11 individuals identified.
 
Join us and ensure you have zero impact when interacting with these animals. Cortez Expeditions is working closer with researchers, government and other tourism companies to ensure we not only learn more about these animals, but that our interactions have zero impact. 

Day Trips 

La Reina is situated just north of Cerralvo Island. The small islet is also home to a small colony of Californian Sea Lions and hundreds of reef fish and many turtles. The trip is dependent on good weather and is two hours travel from the marina, there and back.

When to come...

Manta Season is from late May to middle of November.
​We suggest coming from July to October. 

For more information about joining us for a private, group or exclusive photo/video trip. Please call or email

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Photo ID & Research

We have been collaborating with a number of researchers and institutions to ensure more and more data is collected about these animals. 

We have been invited to work directly with researchers to collect more data, provide ID photos and update interaction protocols.

If you would like to collaborate in the photo ID projects or assist in collecting data. Please call or email

Interaction Protocols 

No anchoring – by not dropping anchor not only prevents bottom damage to corals and sensitive life., but ensures there is zero chance of mantas getting caught in lines or injuring themselves. 
 
No chasing – encouraging divers to evaluate and interact with mantas swim patterns. Simply swimming into the animal’s path, pushing or finning like crazy to ensure a diver “Gets the shot” is simply not tolerated.
 
Waiting – we let other dive groups go first and so we can spend longer with the animals.
 
No touching or riding – If you think it is ok to touch and ride mantas. We suggest a short walk of a long pier holding a heavy object.  

Stay low – La Reina is a shallow dive site. Keeping low allows you to see the important markings of the manta and prevents you blocking its path.