Manta Ray Bay Hotel has made Yap famous for it's large population of resident Manta Rays. Yap is probably the best place on earth to see these gentle giants, and Yap Divers is expert at showing them to you.
Over 100 Manta Rays live year round in the waters surrounding Yap. In the winter (usually December to late April) the Mantas congregate in even greater numbers in Mi'l Channel for the mating season. During the summer season, they spend their mornings in Goofnuw channel in the Valley of the Rays.
Every morning, huge Manta Rays cruise into protected channels that penetrate the barrier reef. They come to "Cleaning Stations" where small specialized reef fishes called cleaners pick off tiny parasites that the Mantas pick up in blue water while feeding. The Mantas slowly circle the cleaning station and frequently pass within inches of the observing diver's heads. Small Mantas are generally about 8 feet from wingtip to wingtip. The larger rays are up to 14 feet across.
During the Manta mating season (December to late
April), processions of as many as a dozen of the huge Rays can be seen cruising
back and forth in Mi'l channel. Yap Divers has identified several Manta cleaning stations, and are expert at finding the Mantas for you.