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Situated in the Western Caroline Islands
between Guam and Palau this lush tropical
island is just 9 degrees north of the equator.
Yap is one of the most intriguing and
traditional islands in Micronesia.
The people
of Yap are warm, shy and proud of their
culture, ancient traditions and fascinating
legends. Yap is known as the “Land of Stone
Money”, due to the ancient currency of huge
disks of stone. The huge coins, some over 12
feet (3.5 meters) in diameter, are still used
today in local and traditional customs. Dance
is an art form on Yap through which legends
are passed down through this form of
entertainment.
The town of Colonia on Yap
Proper is the capital and is slightly more
urbanised than the village areas. The
landscape consists of rolling hills and thick
jungle like vegetation.
The coastal areas are
mostly mangrove, with occasional coral beaches
and coral reef. Snorkelling and diving are
popular in the crystal clear waters, where
giant manta rays are known to school all year
round. |
| Scuba Diving in Yap |
From drop-offs to gentle slopes, from channel
drifts to the protected confines of the
harbour, Yap offers a whole range of diving
experiences. Most dive sites in Yap are less
than 30 minutes from Colonia Harbour. Yap is
almost completely encircled by a fringing reef
providing a backdrop for some of the most
colourful and diverse marine and coral life to
be found in Micronesia.
The Caverns - A magnificent
drop-off. Grey reef sharks and a multitude of
marine life patrol the magnificent wall
adorned with a variety of coral, with water
visibility usually in excess of 30 metres.
Mill Channel - Strong currents
encourage up to 40 Manta Rays to make their
home here. This dive is a must.
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| Hotels and Resorts in Yap |
Manta Ray Bay Hotel
 The Hotel is located in Colonia and overlooks
Tamil Harbour.
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Accommodation: The hotel offers 28
rooms, Ocean View, Ocean View Deluxe, and
Garden View. The Ocean View & Deluxe rooms are
located on the seaward side of the hotel,
providing views from the private balconies.
The Garden View rooms are located on the
opposite side, overlooking the road and the
hills beyond. All rooms are tastefully
decorated with tropical elegance and style,
and feature air-conditioning, TV and VCR,
refrigerators and private bathroom facilities.
Amenities: “Mnuw Ship & Bar Grill” is
located on the main deck of “SV Mnuw”, a
hundred year old South Seas Schooner. You can
enjoy the fine view through panoramic windows
and the food served at this restaurant is
inspired by Asian, local and European recipes.
Yap Divers is Yap’s only PADI 5-star Dive
Facility and is adjacent to the Manta Ray Bay
Hotel.
Activities: The hotel offers a great
selection of tours and activities such as
kayaking, world class fishing and wildlife
walks. Yap Divers is located on the premises
and offer regularly scheduled drift dives,
wall dives, cavern dives and night dives, as
well as their speciality - Giant Manta dives.
A number of specialty dive certifications are
also available. The warm, crystal clear water
and the incredible richness and variety of the
ocean life also make Yap a great place for
snorkelling. Snorkelling charters are
available every day and can be booked directly
at the dive shop.
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Traders' Ridge Resort
 The charming resort is set amongst the
surrounding tropical backdrop of Colonia,
overlooking Chamarro Bay.
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Accommodation: This intimate retreat
offers 20 rooms and 2 Grand Suites and is
styled in unique 1880's Victorian
architecture, combining the elegance of the
old days with all the amenities of today’s 5
Star Hotels. The spacious rooms are decorated
with handcrafted furniture originals, ethnic
artworks, hardwood floors and French doors
that open to a patio or verandah. All rooms
have air conditioning as well as a ceiling
fan, TV VCR, IDD telephone and mini bar.
Amenities: The lush gardens and grounds
surrounding the resort houses Yap's only
freshwater swimming pool and The Spa, as well
as massage retreat offering age-old forms of
Micronesian relaxation. The Verandah View
Restaurant offers fine dining with island
flare in an intimate setting.
Activities: A wide range of activities
such as: Snorkelling, Cultural tours, Hiking &
Biking, Sailing, Kayaking & Fishing tours can
be arranged by the hotel’s concierge staff. |
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