Instant Reader Report
on Beyond the Reef / Traders Ridge Resort in
Micronesia: Palau, Truk, Bikini Atoll and Marshall Islands / Yap on
2003/03
by
John and Sandra Quick , MI, USA
Report Number 030904164825554

 Hawaii, Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Turks and Caicos, Belize, Roatan, Florida
Keys, and assorted
other places in the Caribbean 

Dive Conditions

Followed recommended profiles to maximize bottom time on Manta dives.   

[None]  

Overall Rating

Traders' Ridge Resort is fabulous.  A stunning property!  The grounds are
beautiful, the pool area is landscaped exquisitely, the
public spaces and open air bar and restaurant are elegant and tropical
genteel as were the rooms.  We didn't want to leave to go
diving!  If you had a non-diver in the group that wants to sun bathe and
hang out at the pool and enjoy a few 'boat drinks' they 
could be happy here.  If they add spa services it would be perfect.  The
food at the restaurant was so good we never left the
property.  The seafood dishes were sublime. Breakfast  and lunch services
was a bit slow for divers on the go....  

The diving was with Beyond the Reef.  They did a real nice job.   Diving
was very tide dependent so we had to leave at a very
specific time each day.  Yap is known for its Manta sightings for a
reason.  In 400 previous
dives we had seen one lonely, distant Manta 
on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Here they are a daily occurrence and
numerous.  Sightings are virtually guaranteed on Miil Channel
dives.  The Mantas come down the channel to cleaning stations.  The guides
would position us in the sand near by and unless
something, or someone, spooked them they would stay awhile.  Lots of
sharks and Lionfish too!  A new species for us was
the Crocodile fish.  A highlight one day was a twilight dive (only 30 feet
for 80 minutes) to see the Mandarin Fish.  What a 
thrill.  What a beautiful fish. Coral healthy.  

We give this resort an A+ and the dive operator a B+      

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