Manta Mania

Tobi Bernhard · Issue 80, Sep/Oct 2014 · pp. 43–47

Products mentioned: Nikon D800, Nikon 16-35mm, Subal housing, Sigma 15mm, Sony NEX5, Nauticam housing

“Put your head under water, put your head under water” the exasperated Fijian guide calls out to his flock of pudgy punters. They are too busy snapping selfies with their smart phones to notice the manta rays swooshing past underneath them. Fresh off the Australian or NZ adrenalin circuit, having bungy jumped, jet boat ridden and survived several massive party hangovers, “like awesome dude”, or whatever kids do for entertainment these days? They have come to Fiji, a convenient stopover on some round the world airfares, to tick off either swimming with manta rays or getting laid and hungover again at Beachcomber Island (known as Beachbonker among the locals). Few can afford both options, they are poverty conscious backpackers after all. The well oiled tourism machine makes it easy to find adventure on a tight schedule (even though the wifi here sucks). Port Denerau, a stone throw from Nad…