Diving Yap
Yap is famous for its clear waters where schools of tuna, dolphins, and reef fish are found in abundance. The greatly varied marine life on the reefs and in the channels makes this a favorite diving destination. The clear water and sheer dropoffs describe Yap’s diving. Yap is the world’s foremost destination for seeing manta rays up close. There is no other place on earth where they can be seen on such a consistent basis year-round. This fact has catapulted Yap to the top on all lists of the finest diving attractions in the world.
There’s much more to diving in Yap than just Manta Rays. Yap’s outer reefs abound with species of tropical reef fishes, invertebrates and corals. When coupled with the abundance of larger species like mantas, sharks, and turtles, Yap is a paradise for the underwater photographer or videographer. More than 200 species of hard and soft corals form the reefs of Yap.
Yap Caverns, at the southern tip of the island, offers a truly spectacular dive with an array of caverns, swim-throughs and pinnacles populated by Lionfish and sleeping whitetip reef sharks. Large schools of Huge Bumphead Parrotfish are also often seen. A unique feature of Yap Caverns is that the dive is not restricted to advanced divers, beginners have no trouble negotiating the swim-throughs.
Best time to dive
Year-round there is great diving but January to May and October to December are probably the best.
Visibility
Visibility averages 100 to 200+ feet.
Water temperatures
Water temperature averages 80 to 86 °F.
Weather and climate
Temperatures in Yap are moderate and fairly constant. Average temperature during the spring and summer months are 82 °F and 80 °F during the fall and winter. Relative humidity ranges from 65 to 100 percent, with an annual average of 83 percent. Rainfall averages 120 inches a year, but is seasonal. The heaviest rains tend to occur in the summer months while the winter and spring is trade wind season (marked by strong east to northeast winds) is relatively dry and often marked by drought. The transitional months of May, June, and November are considered peak typhoon season.
Language
English, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleian, and Satawalese
Passport/Visa requirements
Proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate) by U.S. citizens is required. Visas are not required. Non-U.S. citizens must have a valid passport. All visitors must have return travel arrangements or approval by the Chief of Immigration for an extended stay.
Currency
U.S. Dollar – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
Standard 110 volt and U.S. type outlets are used.
Capital
Colonia
General information
Yap is located in the Western Pacific in the Western Caroline Islands. Yap is one of the four States that make up the Federated States of Micronesia and is some 450 miles southwest of Guam and 360 miles northeast of Palau. Yap State consists of 134 islands and atolls of which 22 are populated stretching across more than 100,000 square miles of total area. The main island of Yap is made up of four high volcanic islands.
Map
Get a map of Yap from WorldAtlas.com.