Dive Review of
Beyond The Reef/N/A in
Micronesia/Yap

 Saipan, Rota, Guam, Chuuk, Yap, Palau, Hawaii 

Dive Conditions

Dive by your computer.  

Great place to take pictures!  No dedicated rinse tank or table at shop. 
No facilities on boat either, but crew were careful to put cameras in a
safe place onboard.  They were also good with handling.  

Overall Rating

Despite a recent typhoon, we found Yap to be as wonderful as it was when we
visited 4 years ago.  As an island, they have really pulled together and
are recovering well.  It is back to it’s lush, green beauty again.  All
utilities are restored and all major hotels (Trader's Ridge, Manta Ray Bay,
Pathways, ESA, etc.) are up and running well.  As for the diving (what you
really want to know about!), it is still fabulous.  We did 13 dives over 2
1/2 weeks and were not disappointed!  

The southern tip reefs (Lionfish Wall, Yap Caverns, & Gilman Wall)
were all still pristine with beautiful hard & soft coral, tons of reef
fish & small critters, & nice pelagic action (Sharks, Trevally, a
large school of Tuna, schools of huge Humphead Parrotfish, many schools of
Snapper, etc.)  Even got to see a pair of Sting Rays at a cleaning station!
 Currents that meet at the tip of the reef make for nice drifting!  

Speaking of drifting, we did 2 awesome, adrenaline pumping dives in Mi'il
Channel on quick incoming tides. Obviously the fish liked the fast current
too as we saw lots of sharks, big Humphead Parrot fish, Napoleon Wrasse,
Bat Fish, & big Golden Trevally.  Even spotted a nice sized Painted
Rock Lobster.  Did one dive in Mi'il Channel at outgoing tide (which equals
maybe 20' vis) to see the Mantas.  Had one 12 footer swooping over our
heads at the deep cleaning station for as long as our computers allowed us
to stay.  Saw others as we came in & went out, but couldn't be sure if
they were actually different Mantas, or the same one due to the vis.  Went
back once more, but no Mantas that time.  Instead, there were 2 Sharks
getting cleaned.  It was really cool to watch one go into his head up, tail
down, mouth open, "clean me" posture!  

If you enjoy small critters/macro photography, they you'll love some of
their sites inside the lagoon.  1:2 (said "one to two") was chock
full of little critter surprises both day & night.  They have a couple
of sites where they find Mandarin Fish consistently.  It was really neat to
be able to see them mate at dusk! 

Yap is definitely back in business for diving!

We dove with Beyond the Reef 4 years ago when we visited & found them
just as great this time.  One of the things we like best about them is that
they cater to small groups - no cattle boats here!  They offer very
personalized service with competent & friendly staff!  We definitely
plan to go back!
 

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