What is the water temperature?
The water temperature is 81 F degrees (28 C degrees) all year round, warm enough
to wear just a dive skin, Polartec, or 3mm neoprene suit.
What is the underwater visibility?
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).
What is the range of diving depths?
Our Manta dives are anywhere from 20 to 70 feet deep (6 to 20 meters). Average
depths for reef dives is 60-80 feet and our walls begin at 20 feet and plunge
vertically to more than 400 feet.
Are there strong currents?
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.
Are the coral reefs alive?
Our reefs are in phenomenal condition, almost 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. All formations are healthy and robust.
Any sign of coral bleaching?
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.
What will I see on my dives?
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.
How many dive sites does Yap have?
We have explored and charted over 30 spectacular dive sites and there is still
over 80 miles of uncharted reefs and channels.
How does the diving compare with Palau?
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. As a result of visits from
most of the world's top underwater photo journalists, Yap is now rated as a
world class diving destination.