Manta Fest and LOTS of Mantas
So far in the first week of MANTA FEST we’ve had some great manta luck, seeing them daily since Manta Fest kicked into gear 5 days ago.
On Day 4, we had as many as five mantas at the new cleaning station.
New Cleaning Station
The sharks were also fun. Despite a sizable swell coming in from the southwest, we were able to get to Vertigo twice during the week and brought some shark nibbles on the second dive there.
Many gray reefs and blacktips showed up and even a Napoleon wrasse.
Gray Reef Sharks at Yap’s Vertigo Reef
The macro has also been fun. Odd shrimps and beautiful nudibranchs have been found by the Manta Fest divers.
Nudibranchs, Slow & Easy Dive Ste, Yap
Lined Shrimp, Hotel Pier, Manta Ray Bay, Yap
So far The Manta Fest Crew… seen below from left, Lee Webber from MDA, Frank Schneider from Tauchen, Marty Snyderman from Dive Training, Tim Rock from Double Blue and Daniel Hasenaqetti of Germany, and Yap Diver’s crew members Iggy and Nico, seen here at the Manta Ray docks, and others have had a great time manta and critter hunting. At night, we watch numerous slideshows from Yap diving and around the world aboard the Mnuw.
Manta Fest 2011
On Saturday a few guests are packing up. But those diving saw an eagle ray school at Miil Channel plus mantas, turtles and schooling jacks.
So now we await the arrival of another 20+ guests with Ray Bullion. That should lead to more fun and excitement.
At week’s end we’ll get a look at the photo contest entries.
Last year’s Grand Prize winner with a stunning Reef Scene was Judy Bennett and she is back to defend her title!!
More news to come!!
Tim of the Deep reporting from Yap and Manta Fest