Instant Reader Report
on Beyond the Reef / Oceanview Hotel in
Micronesia: Palau, Truk, Bikini Atoll and Marshall Islands / Yap on
2003/09
by
Phil Hamilton , Texas, US
Report Number 030912121134889

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 [Unspecified] 

Dive Conditions

Limited by computers only  

Small boats, so you are on your own as to care of your camera.  

Overall Rating

Spent a week in Yap, diving with Beyond the Reef.  Small, boutique-type
operation.  Just about every dive was just our two divers plus two crew -
both captains and DMs, so they took turns diving with us.  We selected our
own sites on every dive, only limited by sea conditions. The boats (Boston
Whaler-type) are small, but have oxygen on board, as well as first aid
kits.  Hot chocolate or tea is provided along with croissants and cinnamon
rolls during surface intervals.  Water is also available on board.  Divers
generally dive their plan (limited only by their computers) and choose
their routes underwater, followed by a DM, who carries a SMB when on drift
dives. April, May, September and October are very iffy for seeing mantas -
we saw none the entire week, and gave up looking after a couple of days. 
If you are determined to see mantas, go in December or January. Plenty of
whitetips, and a few blacktips and reef sharks around, as well as
lionfish, and a plethora of clownfish. One can also see Mandarinfish here
- we found five on one dive. Very healthy fish population, with many
species in sight. We spent one surface interval at the south end
surrounded by a playful school of dolphins. Locals do fish the reefs using
either nets or spears, so the fish are a bit skittish, making it more
difficult for UW photography.  The island is very laid-back and the locals
are very friendly, probably like Cozumel before the cruise ships
commercialized it.  Winter manta site is Mi'il Channel on the Northwest
side, and Summer site is Goofnuw Channel in the East.  Other sites not to
miss are Yap Caverns, Lionfish Wall, and Gilman Wall, all on the South end
- excellent wall sites.  Sunset Reef in the Northeast corner is also a very
good dive, with hundreds of fish to see.  All hotels put you in walking
distance of everything in town, no need to rent a car.  To see more of the
island, $35 will get you a half day tour taking you to the Bechyal cultural
center, and seeing most of the north of the island on the way.  Be sure to
walk over to the stone money bank in Balabat, and also make a trek to the
top of the radio tower hill, where most of the island can be seen from
this vantage point.  Accomodations range from Trader's Ridge Resort, at
$175-300 per night, to homestays at $25.  We chose Oceanview hotel at $40.
 Very basic room, with AC and refrigerator and TV.  One TV station on
island with only afternoon and evening programming (taped US network
shows) - but who wants TV during vacation anyway?  Very limited
telephone/internet access on the island - thank goodness.  On island, you
have about six restaurants to choose from, and all provide decent food and
pretty good variety at reasonable prices.  Be sure to visit ILP restaurant
and speak with the owner (also a taxi driver).  He was a child during the
Japanese occupation, and has many good stories.  Overall, if you must see
mantas or mandarinfish, or just want a very quiet dive vacation in a
relaxed atmosphere, this is a good spot to choose - they receive about ten
percent of the tourism that Palau sees. 

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