How to Photograph Manta Rays in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is one of the few places on Earth where manta ray encounters are not only possible—but intimate, unhurried, and deeply moving. It’s also the only place in the world where manta ray populations are increasing, thanks to ongoing marine protection and community-led conservation efforts.

With its pristine reefs and abundant plankton-rich waters, this remote corner of Indonesia is a haven for both reef and oceanic mantas, making it a dream destination for photographers aiming to capture these majestic animals in their natural habitat.

But photographing manta rays isn't just about snapping a shot—it's about understanding their rhythm, respecting their space, and mastering the conditions that make Raja Ampat so visually extraordinary.

Read more: How to Get to Raja Ampat: Seamless with Papua Diving Resorts

If you're planning to photograph manta rays, knowing where and when to dive makes all the difference. Raja Ampat offers several iconic manta hotspots:

• Manta Sandy is perhaps the most famous. This shallow cleaning station provides ideal conditions for photography—clear visibility, slow-moving subjects, and plenty of time to frame the perfect shot.
• Manta Ridge is a site for experienced divers. Known for stronger currents and dramatic underwater topography, this site attracts larger reef mantas to its cleaning stations. The action can be intense, with sweeping movements and bold approaches. To hold position without disturbing the scene, a reef hook is often essential, helping divers maintain a stable vantage point while minimizing impact on the reef and marine life.
• Blue Magic, a deep and current-rich site, is the realm of oceanic mantas. Here, photographers have the chance to shoot wide-angle frames with deep blue backdrops and multiple mantas in motion.
• Eagle Rock is another seasonal hotspot where groups of mantas gather. With fewer crowds and stunning scenery, it’s perfect for capturing natural behavior.

The best time to visit is between October and April, when plankton blooms peak and manta sightings are most consistent​.

Read more: How to Dive and Snorkel with Mantas

When photographing manta rays, wide-angle is king. These animals can span up to seven meters, so gear that lets you get close without cutting off their wingspan is essential.

For DSLR and mirrorless cameras, a fisheye or 16–35mm lens is ideal. Paired with a dome port, this setup gives you the flexibility to frame mantas against light rays, reef structures, or other divers for scale.

Compact cameras with wet wide-angle lenses are great for beginners and still deliver excellent results, especially when lighting is favorable.

Other recommended gear includes:

• Strobes or video lights (for balancing exposure in lower light)
• Red or magenta filters (to restore lost color in deeper water)
• A reliable dive computer and streamlined fins for better control and minimal disturbance

At Papua Diving Resorts, you can access professional-grade rentals and support through the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center, located at Sorido Bay Resort​.

The key to successful manta ray photography is respectful proximity and natural movement. Mantas are curious creatures. If you hover calmly and maintain neutral buoyancy, they’ll often come to you.

To capture their motion:

• Use a shutter speed of at least 1/250 to freeze their wings in motion.
• Open your aperture to f/5.6 or f/8 for balanced exposure and clarity.
• Adjust ISO depending on light—keep it low in bright shallows, higher in deeper or overcast conditions.

Composition matters, too:

• Frame silhouettes against sunbursts
• Use negative space to highlight movement
• Include divers for scale or coral to anchor the subject in its environment

Ultimately, timing and patience will reward you more than rapid shooting ever will.

Read more: Raja Ampat Macro Diving

While sightings in Raja Ampat are common, mantas are listed as a vulnerable species due to threats like overfishing and habitat loss. Their population health is a key reason why respectful behavior is critical.

Manta rays have a delicate mucous membrane on their skin, which protects them from infection. Touching them can compromise this layer, potentially harming the animal and changing its behavior.

This is why Papua Diving Resorts promotes strict no-touch policies and sustainable dive protocols. It's not only for the mantas—it’s for the reef, the community, and the future of ethical diving worldwide.

Once you’ve surfaced with a memory card full of moments, it’s time to polish your captures without over-editing.

Using Lightroom or Photoshop, try:

• White balance correction to bring back lost color from blue water
• Contrast and clarity adjustments to make mantas pop from the background
• Noise reduction in low-light or deeper shots
• Selective cropping to enhance composition while preserving the subject’s scale

Subtle enhancements can help express what your eyes experienced without altering reality.

Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your underwater photography, the SEACAM Workshop at Papua Diving Resorts offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow your skills in one of the world’s most photogenic marine environments.

Hosted at Sorido Bay Resort, this year’s workshop is free for guests staying at Papua Diving Resorts and features SEACAM Ambassador Don Silcock as the speaker.

The workshop includes:

• Professional guidance tailored to your experience level
• Exclusive access to SEACAM underwater housing and gear
• Photo review sessions and creative feedback
• Specialized dives focused on mantas, macro, reef scenes, and light composition

It’s not just about gear—it’s about storytelling, ethics, and pushing your creative limits​.

Read more: Don Silcock – Photographing the Indo Pacific