Images straight from Yap Island: Captured Moments Revealed
Yap: A Tropical Paradise Blending Diving and Culture
Prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning images from the latest edition of Paul & Lisa's Dispatch series featuring Yap, Micronesia. Its turquoise waters, golden beaches, swaying palm trees, vibrant culture, and friendly locals will undoubtedly transport you to the heart of the Tropical Pacific.
Yap is part of the four states of Micronesia, often overshadowed by its larger counterparts. Despite its small population and remote location, Yap is a beacon for divers with a fraction of Micronesia's visiting divers. With convenient direct flights from Palau to Yap, this hidden gem is more accessible than you might think, especially when comparing the influx of divers towards the famous wreck diving spot in Truk Lagoon, Chuuk.
Yapese Diving Secrets
What entices divers to the shores of Yap? Manta rays, of course! Yap is globally recognized as one of the top locations to witness the enchanting Mantas. In recent years, the location of these sites has shifted, bringing about both benefits and challenges.
The previous site was a cleaning station bommie within a channel inside the lagoon, near the outer reef edge—providing ample clear blue water for optimal visibility. However, the downside was the 18m/60ft depth, limiting divers due to no-decompression limits; the use of Nitrox could offer some relief. The new location lies deeper within the lagoon, further from the reef edge. The visibility has decreased in these inner areas, but the advantage is the shallow depth. The coral bommie's top stretches only 5m/16ft deep, allowing both divers and snorkelers to spend prolonged periods with the Mantas. Our main concern? Strobe battery life!
Swimming with the Mantas
Were we uncertain about the Mantas' approach? Initially, yes, but quickly our worries subsided as the Mantas drew close – mere inches above our heads! After starting with a 12-24mm Nikon lens, we switched to a Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens to capture these magical creatures up close.
Photographers will find the coral bommie's round shape ideal for maneuvering, allowing them to choose their photography spot based on the sun's location. The shallow depths enable experimentation with sunbursts within the frame for stunning effects when combined with the Mantas.
Navigating from the dive shops in Colonia to the Manta location is an exhilarating ride, as talented boat skippers zip through a network of narrow mangrove and rock passages. This controlled, enclosed route ensures access in all weather conditions.
More Than Mantas in Yap
Dusk/night dives on O'Keefes Island are popular choices for divers, as it boasts the world's largest population of Mandarin Fish. These charming, colorful creatures emerge from the coral at dusk, offering photographers a chance to capture them on their mating rituals. Tuning into their hectic courtship can be challenging, but the shallow depths of around 6m/20ft allow for plenty of time. The Nikon 60mm Macro lens and a small, adjustable power modelling light proved invaluable for this assignment.
Yapese Topside Delights
Between dives, take time to explore Yap's rich history and culture. The province of Rull, just a 15-minute walk south of the resort and dive shops, showcases unique Yap icons such as massive stone money artifacts, traditional thatched-roof leaf houses, and ancient stone paths. Visitors are encouraged to bring a small leafy tree branch to indicate peaceful intentions when walking without locals.
Try to coordinate your dive holiday to coincide with Yap Day, an annual celebration embraced by the Yapese community. It includes performances, dancing, competitions, and displays, welcoming tourists to join and even participate in traditional clothing, including women going bare-chested —an everyday Yapese custom on this special occasion.
For 6 years aboard our yacht Lorelei, Yap Day was undoubtedly the pinnacle of our cultural journey. Discover more about our Yap adventure at yachtlorelei.blogspot.com
Yap offers an extraordinary amalgamation of unparalleled diving experiences, especially with its giant manta ray encounters and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, and a unique cultural heritage marked by its ancient stone money system and traditional navigation practices. Experience the unmatched magic of Yap!
- The vibrant coral reefs of Yap, a destination in the four states of Micronesia, provide a stunning backdrop for divers.
- Manta rays are a significant attraction for divers in Yap, and the new Manta location within the lagoon allows for closer encounters, albeit with shorter visibility.
- A Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens is useful for capturing up-close images of manta rays against the shallow background of the coral bommie.
- Boat skippers navigate a network of mangrove and rock passages, providing an exhilarating ride to the Manta location.
- O'Keefes Island offers night dives where divers can witness the world's largest population of Mandarin Fish.
- A Nikon 60mm Macro lens is beneficial for photographing the Mandarin Fish during their mating rituals in shallow depths.
- Visitors can explore Yap's rich history and culture, including ancient stone money artifacts, traditional houses, and stone paths.
- Coordinating a dive holiday to coincide with Yap Day, an annual celebration, allows tourists to join in performances, dancing, and traditional clothing, such as going bare-chested for women.
- Yap's unique combination of extraordinary diving experiences and cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination, blending adventure-travel, sports, travel, and lifestyle.
