16th Annual MantaFest Photography School & Contest

Yap, Micronesia, August 26 through September 9, 2023.

Since 2006, our MantaFest program has brought underwater photographers, both amateur and professional, to this small island and its protected reef to compete for prizes, attend workshops, take tours of the island, and experience the unique culture of Yap, which is considered to be among the best preserved in the Pacific region.

Daily Dive Trips

Daily dive trips provide opportunities to dive with and photograph the manta rays, sharks, and the plethora of small, colorful tropicals such as the brightly colored mandarin fish and many more wonders of Yap’s underwater world.

Photography Workshops

At MantaFest, workshops are led by experts in the field providing their knowledge of all things related to taking better pictures including, but not limited to composition, lighting, and photoshop. They also offer advice during sessions with local models in settings that include the island’s unique stone money banks and traditional dance performances.

The experts will be happy to teach you the basics and then have you join them on the boat for personalized hands-on experience.

Top U/W Photographers & Seminars

David Fleetham

David Fleetham

David’s seminars:

• Camera Housing & Strobe Maintenance (Keeping the water out!)
• The Histogram – Getting the exposure light
• My Workflow – Photo Mechanic – Lightroom – Photoshop (from RAW to TIFF)

Tim Rock

Tim Rock

Tim’s seminars:

• Shooting in the shallows – Tips & techniques for shallow water
• Can do “Getting started in print & e-books”
• Getting started with GoPros

Marty Snyderman

Marty Snyderman

Marty’s seminars:

• Keeping your camera system in good working order
• Become a better underwater photographer
• Looking at images from a different perspective

Our MantaFest 2023 Photo School & Contest packages include:

• Hotel room w/late check-out
• 3-tank dive days
• One (1) Mandarinfish Dive Included
• One (1) Night Dive Included
• Free NITROX
• Participation in photo contest
• Seminars and workshops
• Happy Hour one-on-one sessions with the photo pros
• Evening Media Presentations
• Shark split photo opportunity
• Land/culture photo opportunities
• Beach BBQ
• 1/2-day land/culture tour
• Local dinner
• Breakfast
• Roundtrip airport transfers
• Free Wi-Fi
• Hotel Taxes
• Wake-up service with coffee or tea delivered to your room

Package Prices

Getting to MantaFest 2023

We are pleased that United has twice-weekly flights to Yap from Guam (GUM) on Tuesdays & Saturdays. Most major airlines have flights that connect to Guam. Or, if you are in Palau, there are regional flights with PMA from Palau to Yap.

Visit our Flight Schedules Page for more details. And, of course, you can always Ask Bill! or drop us an email at bill@mantaray.com and we will make all of your flight arrangements for you!

Photo Contest

Although our annual MantaFest Photo School and Contest are all about learning, improving your U/W photography skills, fun, meeting new friends, and discovering Yap’s underwater and topside beauty, you also have the chance to win some amazing prizes. From Live-Aboard Scuba Trips to gift vouchers to dive gear and many more. With prizes worth more than $20,000 our annual MantaFest program is one of the world’s highest-valued, resort-based U/W photo contests you can participate in.

 Click Here to check out the 2023 Winners

Best of Show MantaFest 2023

Ann Donahue

Manta Flyby

Photo Contest Categories

Pencil in these future MantaFest dates:

• 2024 August 24-September 8
• 2025 August 23-September 7

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