Diving Yap | Micronesia

DESTINATION OVERVIEW | Yap's gently rolling landscape consists of four islands: Yap, Tomil-Gagil, Maap and Rumung. These tightly-knit land masses are dissected by three channels that lead outwards over a broad lagoon, to the surrounding reefs.

The marine realm is something of a surprise. Each of the channels that separate the islands are rather shallow, lined by mangrove swamps and with thick areas of seagrass. The water can be murky in these channels but head seawards and it’s all change. The visibility clears where the surf breaks against the submerged reef edges and the marine landscape lurches into coral clad hills and valleys. Many pelagics are attracted to this environment but the manta ray populations are world famous. There are cleaning stations in two of the channel mouths so manta sightings are more-or-less a daily event.

Sharks flock here at certain times of year and Yap is also becoming known for it’s macro life. A selection of the small, reef building animals can be seen if you can just drag yourself away from the manta rays. And while the mantas are almost guaranteed by day, by dusk there are colonies of tiny mandarinfish. The southern reefs are also impressive and despite some typhoon damage a couple of years ago, there is plenty of coral.

Yap scuba diving features

PROS AND CONS | Yap is not an easy destination to reach. From Europe it will take two days to get there and flights cost a lot more than many people would normally consider paying. However, this is one of the few places in the world where an encounter with a manta ray is almost guaranteed. For better value for money try going to Palau or Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) at the same time.

SCUBA DIVING | Diving conditions change with the daily tides. There is always some current in the channels – which is why the mantas are there – and when the currents drop the mantas go. Dives are scheduled to take advantage of that. Conditions vary from the east, or windward side, to the west of the island, so there is always somewhere to go even when the weather is less than perfect.

OPINION | This may well be a once in a lifetime destination but you really do have to do it. We planned a three week long trip to do Palau, Yap and Truk together but combining them wasn't easy as liveaboard schedules for each place do not coordinate with each other. We don't feel we saw the best of it, but at least we saw it.

MICRONESIA | diving in Palau and Chuuk (Truk Lagoon)

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