420 Dive Log Australasia OCTOBER 2026

Reef manta rays, Mobula alfredi, attempting to mate, Yap, Micronesia. This species was previously Manta alfredi.

Find a good place.

One cleaner apparently became too enthusiastic. The manta shot vertically toward the surface, rolled completely over and came back down.

Settle down.

Then the cleaning began again.

Wait.

We stayed nearly two hours.

Eventually the manta comes to you.

For an underwater photographer, time like this is a gift.

One passed directly over Jennifer’s head. Cleaner wrasses rushed from the reef and worked along its body, around the mouth and near the gills.

The longer you remain still, the less important you become.

The manta circled and returned.

Butterflyfish approached. Angelfish ignored us. Wrasses worked around the coral. Parrotfish crossed directly in front of the camera.

Then another arrived.

Eventually the mantas were almost an interruption.

For several minutes the two turned around one another above the cleaning station. Their enormous dark wings crossed against the bright surface. They moved with a grace that made everything else underwater look awkward.

Almost.

Reef manta ray, Mobula alfredi, Yap,

Bumphead Parrotfish defecating, Bolbometopon muricatum, Yap

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Dive Log Australasia #420 Oct’ 26

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