420 Dive Log Australasia OCTOBER 2026

The front end of a Coastal Manta Ray, Manta alfredi, getting the close attention of a cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, at one of the cleaning stations in Goofnuw Channel, Yap,

Hundreds of silver bodies surrounded us and turned together. When the school changed direction, sunlight flashed from their sides. Jennifer was ahead of me and for a few seconds disappeared completely behind them.

Sometimes it is a very good problem.

Farther inside Mi’l Channel is Stammtisch, one of Yap’s best known manta cleaning stations. The reef here is shallow. The mantas arrive over the coral and circle while cleaner wrasses and other reef fishes inspect their bodies.

Then the school opened and she was there again.

This is the sort of thing that happens in Yap.

You come looking for one animal and something else gets in the way.

The secret is not to chase them.

An aerial view from above the water of the Manta Ray Bay Resort and it's floating restaurant "The Mnuw" on the island of Yap..

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Dive Log Australasia #420 Oct’ 26

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