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Pacific Map
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Yap is a lush tropical island located just 9 degrees
north of the equator. Unlike many South Pacific islands, Yap is an uplifted portion of the Asian Continental Shelf.
It is surrounded by a broad shallow lagoon and nearly 90 miles of barrier reef.
Yap is famous for its clear waters where schools of tuna, dolphins and reef fish are found in abundance. Observing
the greatly varied marine life on the reefs and in the channels has become a must for divers around the world.
While clear waters and sheer dropoffs certainly describe Yap's diving, one fact stands above the rest.  Yap is the world's foremost destination for seeing
manta rays up close and personal. There is no other place on earth where they can be seen on such a consistent
basis year 'round. This fact has catapulted Yap to the top on all lists of the finest diving attractions in the
world.
Two of the most exciting dives in the world are found here - Mi'l Channel and Manta Ridge. Mi'l Channel is located
on the northwest side of the island. Each morning the mantas cruise through the channel towards the "cleaning
station" for their morning ritual. As divers nestle in the sand around the coral head, the gentle mantas range
in size from four to fourteen feet, pass inches overhead.
Manta Ridge is located near the mouth of Mi'l Channel, this is the site that made Yap famous among divers. The
shallow area of the ridge provides divers and snorkellers alike with a front row seat to an incredible underwater
show. Resident schools of trevallys, black snapper, parrotfish, sharks, moray eels, turtles, eagle rays, mantas,
and even dolphins and mahi-mahi are encountered at Manta Ridge. |
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