Yap did NOT blow me away

[pilot fish]

I did stay at that airport lounge because I met my travel agent on Yap and he was invited to use it and took me along. It is a quantum leap from the humid, poorly run airport facilities. We even had coffe there, which was real good.

Traders really looksa nice and the rooms and groundfs appear better than MR

Trader's Ridge is very nice, didn't stay there but we got a tour from the manager and ate there one night. The other nice thing is they have their own private A/C airport lounge which looks like a much better place to wait than the hellhole that is the rest of the Yap airport. I would consider staying there my last night just to be able to use that. They are up on the hill, not right on the water, good for views and maybe breezes but not a quick stroll from your room to the dive shop and dock like at MRB. Have no idea about the dive shop.

 

[cdiver2]

I am with you on Yap diving not wowing me, it was ok but just that. I dived with Werner Lau, whilst the facility's were ok, the Capt's and DM's were great. I did not care for the manager and in fact we had a few words, (Werner Lau has now gone).
Traders Ridge accommodation great, food great,staff exceptional. When leaving we were taken as late as possible to the airport and escorted to the lounge by the driver and a manager.
Whilst having drinks with the manager the driver watched the line booking in and as the last few were going in just before departure he took us up and explained that as we were the last in to the holding pen (no exaggeration) we would be the first out as the gate to the aircraft was directly opposite the gate going into the pen. And it went just as he said, in-out and the first on the plane.

 

[pilot fish]

Yeah, I think I expected too much. I listened to the hype and that raised my expectations. As you said, OK but no where near great. I also thought Manta Ray Inn was the only game in town. I see now that Traders Ridge is a notch above Manta. Manta Ray is good, very clean and well run, but, like the diving, not great or worth to extra travel.

I am with you on Yap diving not wowing me, it was ok but just that. I dived with Werner Lau, whilst the facility's were ok, the Capt's and DM's were great. I did not care for the manager and in fact we had a few words, (Werner Lau has now gone).
Traders Ridge accommodation great, food great,staff exceptional. When leaving we were taken as late as possible to the airport and escorted to the lounge by the driver and a manager.
Whilst having drinks with the manager the driver watched the line booking in and as the last few were going in just before departure he took us up and explained that as we were the last in to the holding pen (no exaggeration) we would be the first out as the gate to the aircraft was directly opposite the gate going into the pen. And it went just as he said, in-out and the first on the plane.

 

[BuoyantC]

We just got back from a short trip to Yap. We had a great time! I live in the region and have been to Palau a couple times, as well as many places in the Caribbean, and still really enjoyed the diving in Yap. I too have seen better corals, and more fishies, but Yap is very good diving.

I think if people go there ONLY to see mantas, they could be in for a let down. But if you go there for a good dive vacation with a great chance of seeing mantas, you will like Yap. Dec. thru Feb. are the mating season and when many people go to see mantas, but that is also when they are likely seen at Miil Channel in low viz. Summer is when all the ad photos are taken in the 100ft. viz at different locations, but you run the risk of typhoon season. We did our last dive - as a gamble since it's early - at Goofnuw channel and had an absolutely awesome manta display. Our DM said it was the best dive of the year so far, and one of his better manta dives ever.

I don't know what kind of swanky places some of these other posters stay at, but we thought Manta Ray Bay was beautiful, and much nicer than most any other place we've ever stayed. Bill's brewery was putting out some very good beer, and the Mnuw was a great place to hang out in the evenings.

If you're coming all the way from the US, and are used to diving some of the more developed places in the Caribbean with many resort choices and lots of tourist development, undeveloped Yap will be an eye opener. On the other hand if you want a dive experience unlike almost any other place, Yap could be for you.

Dennis

 

[pilot fish]

Yeah, if you live real close, as you do, in Saipan, then sure, it's a grat add-on to your dive destination list. Could not find any fault with anything you said -for a short trip. My point is, it MIGHT not be worth the long trip, and ridiculous arrival and departure times,[ arrival: 3 am, departure: 2:30 or 5 am and be at airport 2 hrs prior to departure! -ugh] from US, Canada and UK to see a few manta thru 30, 40 ft vis and some drab coral.

If you are thinking, Palau or Yap? You might like Palau better.

We just got back from a short trip to Yap. We had a great time! I live in the region and have been to Palau a couple times, as well as many places in the Caribbean, and still really enjoyed the diving in Yap. I too have seen better corals, and more fishies, but Yap is very good diving.

I think if people go there ONLY to see mantas, they could be in for a let down. But if you go there for a good dive vacation with a great chance of seeing mantas, you will like Yap. Dec. thru Feb. are the mating season and when many people go to see mantas, but that is also when they are likely seen at Miil Channel in low viz. Summer is when all the ad photos are taken in the 100ft. viz at different locations, but you run the risk of typhoon season. We did our last dive - as a gamble since it's early - at Goofnuw channel and had an absolutely awesome manta display. Our DM said it was the best dive of the year so far, and one of his better manta dives ever.

I don't know what kind of swanky places some of these other posters stay at, but we thought Manta Ray Bay was beautiful, and much nicer than most any other place we've ever stayed. Bill's brewery was putting out some very good beer, and the Mnuw was a great place to hang out in the evenings.

If you're coming all the way from the US, and are used to diving some of the more developed places in the Caribbean with many resort choices and lots of tourist development, undeveloped Yap will be an eye opener. On the other hand if you want a dive experience unlike almost any other place, Yap could be for you.

Dennis

 

[SharkLover]

I can't agree more. Yap is more than just Manta's. I will say this, if you are in the area then yes it is well worth it. I am heading there on 5/5 and will be diving with BTR (Dave and the boys) for the week.

As this is my second trip I know what to expect. I think the greatest thing about that place is that it is not commercialized, if they ever do that it will be ruined.

We just got back from a short trip to Yap. We had a great time! I live in the region and have been to Palau a couple times, as well as many places in the Caribbean, and still really enjoyed the diving in Yap. I too have seen better corals, and more fishies, but Yap is very good diving.

I think if people go there ONLY to see mantas, they could be in for a let down. But if you go there for a good dive vacation with a great chance of seeing mantas, you will like Yap. Dec. thru Feb. are the mating season and when many people go to see mantas, but that is also when they are likely seen at Miil Channel in low viz. Summer is when all the ad photos are taken in the 100ft. viz at different locations, but you run the risk of typhoon season. We did our last dive - as a gamble since it's early - at Goofnuw channel and had an absolutely awesome manta display. Our DM said it was the best dive of the year so far, and one of his better manta dives ever.

I don't know what kind of swanky places some of these other posters stay at, but we thought Manta Ray Bay was beautiful, and much nicer than most any other place we've ever stayed. Bill's brewery was putting out some very good beer, and the Mnuw was a great place to hang out in the evenings.

If you're coming all the way from the US, and are used to diving some of the more developed places in the Caribbean with many resort choices and lots of tourist development, undeveloped Yap will be an eye opener. On the other hand if you want a dive experience unlike almost any other place, Yap could be for you.

Dennis

 

[jeanco]

I stayed at trader Ridge and the accommodations was fantastic.(02/07)
Disappointed with the diving and they really try their best.(wrong time of the year?)
We are diving by ourselves and the dive master abort few dives for poor visibility.
Prefer Palau or Ponhei.(we saw the 2 manta ray flying over our heads for 35 mn.)

 

[pilot fish]

That is what I'm hearing from people now, that Yap was a bit of a dissappointment and that it was OK, but not very special, etc, which is what I felt also. I met a photograher at an outdoor art exhibit yesterday that had some UW shots of manta. I asked if he had dove Yap and he said yes a few years ago, 6 yrs, but he was not impressed. I said, you got a great shot of this manta though,[vis was very clear too], and he said, no, that's not from Yap it's from San Bernadino, Mexico. I think he said San Bernadino was 250 miles south of Cancun?

The time of year you went is supposed to be one of the best to see manta. The vis was not great when I was there either, 3/ 16/ 07. If you're not out there at 7 am the vis sucks in Mil Channel and later in the morning and afternoon. Nothing about the place would entice me back, with that long travel time from US.

I stayed at trader Ridge and the accommodations was fantastic.(02/07)
Disappointed with the diving and they really try their best.(wrong time of the year?)
We are diving by ourselves and the dive master abort few dives for poor visibility.
Prefer Palau or Ponhei.(we saw the 2 manta ray flying over our heads for 35 mn.)

 

[DiverMon2]

Yap really only has the Manta dives to offer although I did enjoy a Mandarin fish dive one evening also.
As the Mantas are filter feeders, the vis will never be great there.

The 'ship reefs' in Truk have more life than some of the Yap reefs I visited in May06

Give me Truk or Palau anyday over Yap and Bikini!

 

[pilot fish]

Yap really only has the Manta dives to offer although I did enjoy a Mandarin fish dive one evening also.
As the Mantas are filter feeders, the vis will never be great there.

The 'ship reefs' in Truk have more life than some of the Yap reefs I visited in May06

Give me Truk or Palau anyday over Yap and Bikini!

Yeah, kind of one demensional. manta smanta