The water temperature is 82 F degrees (28 C degrees) all year round, warm enough to wear just a dive skin, Polartec, or 3mm neoprene suit.

On our reefs and walls the visibility often exceeds 150 feet (50 meters) and can top 200 feet. The visibility in the channels for the manta dives range from 30 feet (10 meters) up to 100 feet (30 meters) with the average being about 50 to 60 feet (since the manta rays come so close to you, this is ample).

Our Manta dives are anywhere from 20 to 70 feet deep (6 to 20 meters). The average depth for reef dives is 60-80 feet and our walls begin at 20 feet and plunge vertically to more than 400 feet.

Occasional currents (mild to medium) in the channels for the manta dives are easy to navigate since there are calm spots behind high coral heads and coral ridges. Mild currents occasionally occur on the outside walls, making them excellent for drift dives. Overall, Yap diving is easy and safe.

Yes! Our reefs are in great condition, some are pristine. We are blessed with some of the most beautiful coral formations in the Pacific – table corals the size of dinner tables, giant mounds of blue staghorn, golden elkhorn and giant brain corals. Our southern wall dives are healthy and robust hard coral reefs. We also have selections of soft corals in Mi’l Channel as well as the soft corals of Yellow Wall.

El Niño has spared Yap and there is virtually no coral bleaching on Yap’s reefs. The island of Yap is adjacent to one of the Pacific’s deepest submarine trenches, providing the reefs with fresh, cool, clean water on a consistent basis.

Mantas, of course. Yap has the largest concentration of manta rays in the world, and they are easily accessible to divers. But, there is more than mantas – lots of sharks, schools of bigeye jacks, schools of blackfin barracudas, extremely colorful tropical reef fish, two species of sea turtles, tons of anemones and clownfish plus a tremendous variety of hard corals. If you are interested in extreme close-up photography, Yap offers an opportunity to photograph rare species such as the fire goby, leaffish, ghost pipefish, longnose filefish, seahorses, mandarinfish, shrimpfish, dragon wrasse and dozens of nudibranches.

We have over 50 named dive sites.

The diving in Yap is different but equally as good. Yap offers the best opportunity to encounter, dive with and photograph manta rays. There is no better place in the world for this type of big animal diving. Yap also has a very wide selection of macro subjects not easily found in Palau. As a result of visits from most of the world’s top underwater photojournalists, Yap is now rated as a world-class diving destination.

We depart every morning for a two-tank dive trip. The manta dive trips generally depart between 7 AM and 9 AM. Reef trips and wall dives depart between 8 AM and 10 AM. Third and fourth dives are available in the afternoon as well as a night dive.

2 tanks per trip are the norm but we certainly cater to our customers’ desires. We can schedule 3-tank or 4-tank dive trips upon request.

Yes, a third and fourth dive is available. Our shark dives depart at 3 P.M. and are a one-tank dive. We have found an excellent macro dive site for those of you who wish to find and photograph nudibranchs.

Yes, we conduct night dives any night of the week upon request. Night dives are generally one-tank boat trips, no more than 5 to 15 minutes from the hotel. There are multiple sites for excellent night diving, including encounters with lionfish, octopus, Spanish dancers and other nocturnal creatures.

Yap does not offer shore diving because the best channels, coral gardens and wall dives are more than a mile from shore. Yap’s shoreline is mostly mangrove formations which provide the nutrients and nesting places for juvenile fish.

Yes, we have a full line of Mares rental gear. We also offer wetsuits and computers.

Yes, Yap Divers has a membrane system and NITROX is available for all dives.

Yap Divers owns and operates 7 custom-designed dive boats. These vessels have been designed and equipped specifically for diving and contain all of the equipment to make your trip comfortable and safe.

A maximum of 8 divers per boat is our norm. We can accommodate larger numbers for groups and we have the finest dive boat in Micronesia – Popou capable of carrying up to 22 divers.

They are more than welcome. Spouses and family members often accompany our diving guests, making the overall experience more enjoyable.

Again, snorkelers are more than welcome. Most dive sites offer the opportunity to snorkel and scuba at the same site. Our vertical walls and channels often rise to within a few feet of the surface.

Yes, Yap Diver’s offers dedicated snorkeling trips to the best snorkeling areas. These trips depart both in the morning and the afternoon and include a personal guide.

Morning dive trips return between noon and 1 P.M..

On the boat, you have a generous snack consisting of fresh baked pastries and fruit, as well as hot tea and ice water. Lunch is available at the resort.

The afternoon trips depart between 2:30 and 3:30 P.M.. All trips return in time for dinner or a night dive.

The boats are at the hotel and it is as easy to get to the dive boats as it is to get to breakfast.

Every one of our boats are completely shaded and have custom-built dive ladders for easy entry and exit.

All of our boats have first aid kits, DAN O2 kits and VHF radios. Our boats have twin engines and we have switched to environmentally friendly 4-stroke engines. These new engines are fuel efficient, quite and do not burn oil so there is none of the oily smell associated with most dive boats.

Yes, weights and belts are provided by Yap Divers. We have belts in a wide range of sizes and weights in 2,3 and 4-pound (1 to 2 kilo) increments.

We use 80 cubic foot aluminum tanks and we have 63 cubic foot tanks available for guests desiring lighter or shorter tanks. All of the tanks are regularly inspected and hydrostatically tested.

The dive center is on the hotel premises within a few steps of the lobby and guest rooms. For those not staying at Manta Ray Bay, we offer complimentary transportation in our air-conditioned vans.

Generally 6 AM or one hour before the departure time of the first dive trip.

9:00PM is closing time but our front desk is open 24 hours/7 days a week and they can assist with any help needed.

Yes, there is a private locker for every diver located within feet of the dive boats.

All our staff members are fluent in English (some crew members also speak German, Dutch and Japanese).

Yes, we have 6 custom built “camera hotels” with locked storage so that you don’t have to take your cameras to your room, lighted work areas, charging stations for strobes and batteries with both U.S. standard 110 volt/60 as well as European plugs with 220-volt power, padded work area so that gear doesn’t roll, clean air to dry cameras and strobes as well as magnifying glasses for close work.

Extra deep tiled and lighted rinse tanks are adjacent to the dive dock and within feet of the gear storage area. The tanks are drained and refilled with fresh water several times daily. We have separate rinse tanks exclusive for photo gear.

Yap Divers, as both a PADI 5-Star and SSI Platinum Dive Center offering a full range of dive courses, including a manta awareness course and NITROX specialties. We also offer Discover Scuba courses for non-divers who are interested in sampling this aquatic adventure.

All our instructors are fully PADI certified for basic, advanced and NITROX training.

The resort is on the waterfront in the heart of Colonia, Yap’s main town. It is a short 10-minute ride from the airport and within walking distance of many shops, snack bars/restaurants, post office and banks.

The hotel is on the waterfront, overlooking a picturesque bay. Guests are greeted with a spectacular morning sunrise and a glassy calm sea.

There is no beach at the hotel but Yap has secluded beaches. Transportation to the beaches, picnics and snorkeling opportunities are provided by the Manta Ray Bay Resort.

Yes, there is a boat dock on the resort premises, within a few steps of the lobby and dive center.

Our Manta Ray Restaurant is located on the main deck of Mnuw and offers an excellent view of the harbor. Check out our menu! Meals, from the same menu, are also served in the Nautical Weaver Bar located on the Bridge Deck of the Mnuw and/or the Crow’s Nest on the top deck. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. The food is inspired by Asian, Local and European recipes with generous portions which are both wholesome and delicious.

As this is a dive resort, the restaurant opens at 6 AM. Freshly baked pastries, hot coffee and a complete breakfast menu are available from that time. The restaurant specializes in pancakes, waffles, omelets and fresh fruit in the mornings.

The kitchen closes at 9:30 P.M. (unless we have divers running late in which case we wait on them) and the bar normally closes about 11:00 P.M. but will remain open for our guests as needed.

Yes, all rooms are fully air-conditioned, as is a portion of the restaurant, the lobby and gift shop.

Yes, all of our rooms have Direct Dial International service.

Yes, FREE WiFi access is available 24/7 in every room, the lobby, pool, restaurant and bar.

Yes, we have our own water filtration system and the water is drinkable from the taps in any of the rooms and at the dive center.

All Deluxe Ocean View rooms have color TVs with DVD players however there is no local stations available at the resort. The TVs are used for watching your dive video or rented DVDs available at the front desk or from numerous video shops on the island.

Our rooms are oversized (350 – almost 500 square feet) and each room has a unique layout. All of our rooms have tiled floors, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, built-in hair dryers, spacious showers and comfortable beds.

Yes, we have a wonderful infinity pool complete with 2 life-size stone manta rays on the bottom and a unique waterfall along one wall.

Yes, towels are put on the boat prior to departure and kept dry until needed.

We offer eco kayak tours, hiking, cultural tours (10 max minimum required), land tours, deep sea fishing, traditional sailing canoe trips and an in-house spa.

Yap is located in the Southwestern corner of Micronesia. It lies between Palau (360 miles) and Guam (550 miles), approximately 600 miles East of the Philippines. One side of Yap is bordered by the Pacific Ocean while the other side borders the Philippine Sea.

Yap actually consists of 4 major islands linked by road. The cluster is shaped like a kite and is 17 miles long by 6 miles wide, at the widest point. The land mass is 39 square miles, ringed by mangrove shoreline, protected lagoons, secluded beaches and a coral barrier reef.

Yap is served 2 times weekly from Guam (direct, non-stop flights) by United Airlines. See our flights page for more information. Or, Ask Bill! and we can book your flights for you with ease and less expensively!

From Guam, it is 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Yes, everybody on Yap speaks English. Since the end of World War Two, Yap has been part of the U.S. Trust Territory (until gaining independence 20 years ago). English has been taught in the Yap school system and the islanders are at least bi-lingual.

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of Yap and there is NO CURRENCY EXCHANGE on the island. We recommend that International visitors buy U.S. dollars prior to entering Yap. The Bank of Guam and Bank of FSM have ATM’s available a short walk or taxi ride from the hotel. Some European debit cards and credit cards do not work at the ATMs on the island, it is advisable to bring cash in US dollars.

Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB cards are accepted at the Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers for all purchases and services.

Car rentals are available but not necessary. The resort is centrally located close to good shopping and the other amenities in town. If you would prefer a rental car, the Manta Ray staff will be happy to make the necessary arrangements for you.

Yes, taxis are plentiful and inexpensive.

The hotel is located within easy walking distance of the town’s food stores, banks and gift shops.

A wide variety of shops can be found in town, offering all sorts of merchandise and souvenirs.

Yes, Yap has several very gifted artists who specialize in wood and stone sculptures, island weaving, as well as original paintings. Much of their work is focused on ocean creatures such as manta rays, dolphins and sharks. They also produce pictures and carvings representative of the Yapese culture.

Yap is extremely safe. The island has practically no crime. By nature, the Yapese people are cordial, friendly and honest.

Yes, Yap uses the same electrical standards as the USA (110 Volt, 60 cycles). All electric outlets are American style. International visitors should bring plug adapters to convert to their appliances. 220 and 240 voltage is available for International visitors using this power system.

Cultural tours to island villages are considered one of the highlights of a Yap vacation. Tours must be requested a week in advance with a minimum of 10 people signed up for the tour, as this tour is upon request to the host village.

Yes, there is a chamber at the Yap Hospital and our staff are, among others, trained in its use.