Yap Manta Ray Bay & Yap Divers

Yap is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean that are part of the Federal States of Micronesia. Although comprising of many hundreds of islands, scattered over 600 miles, there are four main islands that form the Yap that divers know, set within a a huge barrier reef.

Yap is approximately 500 miles south-west of Guam and around 800 miles east of the Philippines, which is the most common gateway to getting here. It comes highly recommended to combine a trip to Yap with Palau, which is just 300 miles south of Yap.

Yap is best known for its resident manta rays, which can be seen all year round, and for its clear blue waters and healthy reef shark population. The barrier reef around the islands stretches for almost 100 miles and there are several large channels and lagoon sites to explore. The outer walls offer exhilarating diving with sharks and there are great macro sites to explore in the channels and lagoons too.

This is a great destination and should be on every diver’s wish list: year round mantas, reef shark diving, nightly mating mandarinfish, and rich coral walls and caverns.

How to get there
Yap can be reached via Manila, in the Philippines. There are many airlines operating flights to Manila from the UK and you would need to take a night’s accommodation there prior to continuing your journey to Yap the next day. From Manila, there are flights to Yap operating a couple of times per week, travelling on United Airlines, but flights have a very long layover in Guam (often exceeding 8 hours). We therefore recommend you take a Day Room in Guam at a nearby hotel, to make the most of your transit time there, and we can take care of this for you.

As flight schedules to Yap are regularly being altered, we will be happy to advise you on the best flight options available at the time you are looking to travel.

Stay a bit a longer
If you are looking to extend your trip, you can choose to explore more of the Philippines, or you could combine Yap with further diving at either Truk Lagoon or Palau. United Airlines service all these areas, with flights to Palau and Truk Lagoon also operating via Guam.

Whichever option you fancy, we will be happy to guide you and assist with all your travel needs.

Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers
Manta Ray Bay Resort is an award winning, full-service dive resort, designed by divers and built for divers and has been welcoming guests for over 30 years. This is a fabulous resort, with all the facilities you need for a relaxing stay. The onsite dive centre is superbly equipped and the fleet of fast dive boats will get you to all the best dive sites around Yap in comfort.

Get some rest
There are three room types at Manta Ray Bay Resort, all featuring air conditioning & ceiling fan, IDD telephone, TV with DVD player, hair dryer, safe, and complementary coffee & tea service.

Standard Rooms are well appointed in tropical style and have either one or two queen-sized beds. The standard rooms are on the opposite side of the resort with views of the hills and beyond.

The Ocean View Rooms have breathtaking views of the lagoon, facing the sunrise. Ocean View Rooms have either one or two queen-sized beds and some even have water beds.

The Deluxe Ocean View rooms have stunning ocean-views, king sized beds, private patios and unique interior features. Some of these rooms have private plunge pools, or fantastic stone showers or even a private rooftop Jacuzzi.

Enjoy your stay
Manta Ray Bay Resort is famous for having one of the most unique restaurants and bars in Micronesia. The Mnuw is a 100 year old, 170ft Phinisi schooner from Indonesia complete with 3 dining decks and 2 bars.

Located on the main deck, the Manta Ray Restaurant serves a range of Asian, local and European recipes and lighter snacks  including pizza, burgers and sandwiches.

On the top deck is the Crows Nest Bar,  a wonderful open air bar overlooking the sea.

The resort even has its own microbrewery; the Stone Money Brewing Company, which brews Hammerhead Amber, a dark beer, and the lighter Manta Gold.

Other facilities at the resort include an infinity pool, kayaking tours, and the wonderful Taro Leaf Spa, offering a wide range of beauty treatments and massages.