As scuba divers, we’re privileged to explore, enjoy and play beneath the surface—something the vast majority of people on the planet will never experience. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, each of us certainly has a dive we’ll never forget. Whether it’s crossing something off of our scuba diving bucket list, making eye contact with a humpback whale or simply enjoying a perfect day underwater with our favorite dive buddies, we love to share dive stories with other aquaholics.

To celebrate the beauty, variety and joy that this sport brings, we’re sharing some truly unforgettable dives from around the world, as told by the divers who lived them first-hand. We hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we do!

Name: Cristian Moreno

Certification: 1999 in Panama

Current: PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Follow: @cmorenog28

My ‘Must Have’ On Any Dive Trip

My tip is always to take the right mental disposition to go diving. Be grateful each time you dive. Mother Nature is always unpredictable, so, go with an open mind to see what she wants you to see. Try to see everything from the big picture to the smallest thing. This means it’s more than just looking at fish; try to understand the behavior of the fish and the things around them. Keep an open mind while searching out what Mother Nature wants to show you.

Related Reading: What It’s Like to Swim With Humpback Whales

My Unforgettable Dive:

Scuba diving has brought me lovely memories and beautiful encounters with nature. The dive that impressed me most, which I still carry in my heart and mind, was one in the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific.

That day, we encountered more than six oceanic manta rays. They were incredible, staying with us throughout the dive. I happened to take pictures of their bellies, and I sent those to a colleague who’s researching manta rays.

Four of the manta rays whose pictures I’d sent to her turned out to be new to the manta ray database. They had not been identified before and therefore had no names. So, she allowed me to give them names! I chose, more or less, Maori names.

Related Reading: Do Dive Lights Harm Manta Rays?

One is called Ataata, which means smiley face. The pattern on his belly is like a smiley face, and it reminded me of my son Andrés who is always smiling.

The other one I called Tutasi, which means original. He had a weird pattern we couldn’t describe. Last, there was a male and a female manta ray, and I decided to call them king and queen, respectively. The male is Kingi Crismo, and the female is Leany Kuini.

When I think about that dive, about encountering those new manta rays, it still gives me goosebumps.