Instant Reader Report
on Beyond the Reef / Traders' Ridge Resort in
Micronesia: Palau, Truk, Bikini Atoll and Marshall Islands / Yap on
2003/09
by
Julian Lamborn , TX, USA
Report Number 030916083839264

 Caribbean, Red Sea, Fiji, Great Barrier Reef (Cod Hole), Micronesia (Truk
& Palau), Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, Sea of Cortez 

Dive Conditions

None  

Takje your own equipment and develop the films when back home:...Yap has no
good photoprocessing facilities  

Overall Rating

The accommodation and food at Traders' Ridge is first class and the staff
there do everything to ensure the visitor has no problems.  The Beyond the
Reef dive operation is very good and uses small fast boats (with canopies)
suitable for up to four divers.  The dive-staff are very helpful and
handle all the gear including set-ups and washing.  The dive operation is
run by Dave (an ex-pat) and he has very competent
divemasters...particularly Gordon (a very helpful Yapese).  The hard coral
on Yap is, for the most part, in excellent condition but there is little or
no soft coral.  Saw mantas (not a lot) and many sharks (nurse, white tip,
black tip and reef).  Lots of reef fish life.  September is not the best
time to visit Yap, February is considered the best time to see mantas. 
The weather was a bit rainy one day (out of six diving days), but the vis
was up to 100' on occasion.  Couldn't dive Mi'l channel because of
tides/vis, but did dive Yap Caverns at the southern tip of the
island:....awe inspiring.  All in all a great trip and worth 15 hours in a
plane! 

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