Yap—Of all Micronesian islands, Yap is most intriguing. With island culture intact, the people do things the same way their forefathers did. The stone money is a good example. Yap is the only place in the world where huge, carved stones became a traditional form of money.

Stone money dates back 1,800 years. Ancient Yapese navigators sailed outrigger canoes across hundreds of miles of open ocean, exploring neighboring islands. On Palau, they discovered caves containing sparkling light brown material known as crystalline calcite. Using hand tools made of shells and sticks, they quarried and sculpted stone disks ranging from 2 to 12 feet in diameter. Each piece has its own legend with its value directly related to the degree of difficulty in obtaining it. Stone money banks lie deep in the jungle where villagers store their wealth in neat rows, propped up in impressive displays.

A trip to the outlying districts is stepping back in time. Men's meeting houses are built of huge logs and palm thatch. The biggest treat is a traditional Yapese stick dance. Islanders perform this ancient art in their finest dress.

Photo by: Fred Altrieth–12/2000
Manta Rays—Yap is the unchallenged leader of Manta Ray diving. Divers see mantas on more dives and more mantas per dive than anywhere else in the world. Most encounters occur in depths of 25–50 feet, usually inside channels that lead from the lagoon to the open sea. The mantas line up single file in groups of four to six, taking their turns being cleaned. They appear unafraid of divers. Sweeping past the divers, they execute a tight U-turn and come back toward the divers—hovering just a few feet above the corals. These gentle giants have wingspans of 10–20 feet and weigh 1,000 pounds or more. A close encounter with these magnificent creatures is one of the most exhilarating experiences a diver can have.

Yap Dive Sites—Yap offers a wide range of superb diving experiences. On literally hundreds of places around Yap, the diving ranges from superb to absolutely outstanding.

          Gilmaan Wall—A vertical wall dive at the southern tip of Yap where the reefline juts out two miles from shore. Surrounded on three sides by open ocean, it is usually a drift dive. The wall begins at 20 feet and plummets straight down to 160 feet. Underwater visibility ranges from 150 to 200 feet. The face of the wall is covered with hard corals, gorgonian fans, Daisy Corals and bright yellow crinoids. The wall is honeycombed with small caves and crevices occupied by exotic reef fish. With exposure to the sea, Gilmaan Wall is the site of encounters with Dogtooth Tuna, turtles and Eagle Rays. Sailfish, Manta Rays, sharks and Whitetail Stingrays, also can be seen.

Photo by: Fred Altrieth–12/2000
          Lionfish Wall—Another exciting vertical wall begins at 18 feet and plummets straight down to 160 feet. Drifting this wall feels a little bit like sky diving because of the 200–foot visibility. The most outstanding attraction is the large community of Lionfish that lives in small caves and crevices on the face of the wall. There are literally dozens of these spectacular creatures—each of them adorned with lacy fins and slender spines.

          Yap Caverns—A unique combination wall dive and coral grotto swim–through, this site is marked by a sandy coral shelf that cuts into the reef, forming a natural amphitheater. The shelf at a depth of 30 feet is surrounded by vertical coral that rises up to within 10 feet of the surface. Running off the north side is a series of caverns, caves and passageways that tunnel beneath the reef.

Land-Based—All prices are land only, per person, double occupancy plus tax. Prices include boat, guide, 2-tanks daily, weights/weightbelt, transfers. Prices do not include dive permits or taxes.

Pathways Hotel, 7 nights * 5 dive days * $870. Welcome! to our family owned resort. We offer you a mélange of western hospitality and traditional Yapese warmth. Our staff will personally greet you upon your arrival and ensure your transition from airport to hotel goes smoothly. You will then be transported in Pathways' private vehicle. Transit time from the airport to the hotel is a mere 10 minutes.

Unwind in 8 charming cottages built in traditional-style bamboo with thatched roofing and your own private veranda, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped, lush, tropical garden. The cottages are located on a hillside overlooking the picturesque Chamorro Bay. Just a short walk will take you to downtown Yap where all the major businesses and government buildings are located. The Dive shops, other hotels and restaurants are easily and quickly accessible by foot.

Each cottage is built so the trade winds (seasonal winds in Yap which begin in December and lasts until around the month of May) cool the structures naturally. Air conditioners and ceiling fans, however, have been installed for your comfort should you prefer. Other amenities included in your cottage are mini-refrigerators and private, en suite baths with hot water. The rooms do not have television sets or telephones. If you need to phone, you can do so at our front off ice. Cottage service and wake up calls are a part of our Pathways Special Touch service. You are our guest and part of our family. The Pathways Hotel is your home away from home!

Manta Ray Bay Hotel, 7 nights * 5 dive days * $1035. The Manta Ray Bay Hotel is a dedicated dive resort, designed by divers and built for divers. It's 28 rooms offer air conditioning, refrigerators (upon request) and in-room TV and VCR. We have often been called "The Best Little Dive Hotel in the Pacific."

All dive facilities and equipment storage are conveniently located within steps of the Hotel. Yap Divers, located on premises, is a full service dive shop. All levels of instruction, Mares & Oceanic rental equipment, morning and afternoon two tank dives to either the Manta sites or the reefs and walls. A number of specialty dives are also offered on a daily basis - Mandarin Fish, Macro, Shark Feed and night dives. NITROX is available for all dives.

We also offer world class fishing with Yap Anglers, and an opportunity to explore wildlife and nature by kayaking with Yap's Planet Blue Kayak Tours.

Trader's Ridge Resort, 7 nights * 5 dive days * $840. Traders' Ridge Resort, Yap Island, Micronesia "Where Adventure and Luxury Meet." This intimate retreat of 20 rooms and 2 Grand Suites is styled in unique 1880's Victorian architecture offering all the amenities of a 5 Star Hotel.

Our staff is trained to see to your every need. Attention to detail is our trademark. From the moment you enter our spacious lobby, the warm and friendly atmosphere of Traders Ridge makes you feel the resort is your home.

Other Dive Adventure Options

Your Dive adventures can be custom-tailored re: length of stay, number of dives, type of room, and divers vs. non-divers in party. Do you want a Resort Course, to become certified, go for advanced certifications and specialties, use the OW Referral to complete your basic certification? If you don't see what you are looking for here, please ask.