YAP, MICRONESIA

Year:2002

Manta extravaganza

Season: Year-round diving (optimum: October-June)

Visibility: 25-50 metres

Water temperature: 28-30°C

A scattering of tiny islands spread across the immensity of the western Pacific, Micronesia is at the same time one of the most obscure corners of the globe and one of the world's greatest diving destinations, a veritable Mecca that attracts underwater pilgrims from far and wide.

About 300 miles northeast of Palau lies Yap, an island where stone money, carved from the rock islands of Palau and transported across the open ocean by canoe, is still in use today. Yap is a wonderful mixture of past, present and future where ancient culture still exists alongside the 20th century. English is the official language and the US$ is the official currency. It is said that of all the thousands of islands in Micronesia, Yap today is the way the rest of Micronesia used to be with its culture, traditions and language still intact and freely observable.

Yap's rise to world class fame as a diving resort began in the late 1980s when it was discovered that large numbers of Manta Rays could be observed here at very close range. However, there is more to Yap than Manta Rays ­ the outer drop-offs offer diving in remarkable visibility (30-50 metres is routine, with up to 65 metres at times!). Vertical walls, wonderfully healthy reefs, schools of Spotted Eagle Rays and grottos with swim-throughs full of tropical fish are just some of the diving highlights that can be found in Yap. Over 30 dive sites have been discovered and charted so far.

Manta Ridge is where Manta Rays are encountered almost daily. The combination of plankton, tide and current sets the stage for a truly wondrous undersea phenomenon. The site is a natural coral bridge that crosses one of Yap's deep water channels. Through this channel come the mantas, some with 'wingspans' of up to 5 metres and weighing as much as one ton! Gliding in battle-style formation, these giants of the ocean line up in single file and hover about a metre above the coral awaiting their turn as the Cleaner Wrasse pop out of their coral homes and get to work picking off their parasites.

M'il Channel is a drift dive in the same channel as Manta Ridge. A slow drift at about 20 metres along the south wall with the incoming tide gives divers time to explore the vertical sides and bottom of the channel as they ride the current. Some big creatures are usually found here, including schools of Bigeye Trevally, White-tip Reef Sharks that rest on the bottom during the day and Manta Rays. Numerous reef fish and often turtles and eagle rays pass before you as you glide along.

Lionfish Wall is an exciting wall site starting at about 5 metres and plummeting to over 50 metres. Because of the staggering visibility here (up to 65 metres at times), this dive has been likened to sky-diving! A large community of lacy-finned lionfish live in the cracks, crevices and small caves and during their beautiful and graceful veil-like dancing movements they waft and wave their long, slim spines.

Yap Caverns provides a unique combination of a wall dive and swim-throughs. This site is marked by a sandy coral shelf cut into the reef, making a natural amphitheatre. Although the shelf is at a depth of 10 metres, the tall, vertical coral growths surrounding it rise through the water to within 3 metres of the surface. A series of caverns, passageways and caves tunnel into the reef from the north side of the amphitheatre.

MANTA RAY BAY HOTEL

Manta Ray Bay Hotel and Yap Divers are run and personally supervised by Bill Acker, who designed, built and now runs the entire resort! The small hotel is situated on the edge of a sheltered bay with splendid views of the harbour and is completely integrated with Yap Divers. Each of the 23 guest rooms is tastefully decorated and has air conditioning, TV and video. Delicious local and international food is served in the top floor restaurant. Menus feature European, Asian and American food and utilize fresh seafood and local produce along with imported foods. Early evenings are often spent enjoying a glass of wine or a beer in the nautical Weaver Deck and Bar, built out over the lagoon. The cool trade winds that blow in from the reef makes this a popular place to relax and chat to other divers.

Diving is provided by Yap Divers who operate a fleet of four custom-built dive boats fully equipped with sun-shade, freshwater, dive platform and ladders. Up to 4 daytime boat dives per day can be taken and night dives can also be arranged. Yap Divers is a PADI five star centre and the newly-built Manta Visions Photo and Video Centre provides all the services that an underwater photographer could require, including E-6 processing. Nitrox facilities are also available at an extra charge.

Garden View Room

£328 (non-divers: £195) for 3 nights

£432 (non-divers: £248) for 4 nights

£765 (non-divers: £406) for 7 nights

Ocean View Room

£350 (non-divers: £217) for 3 nights

£463 (non-divers: £277) for 4 nights

£812 (non-divers: £454) for 7 nights

Deluxe Ocean View Room

£443 (non-divers: £310) for 3 nights

£579 (non-divers: £394) for 4 nights

£1004 (non-divers: £646) for 7 nights

Includes:

· Airport transfers in Yap.

· 3, 4 or 7 nights room-only accommodation on twin/share basis at the Manta Ray Bay Hotel.

· 4, 6 or 12 boat dives, snacks on board, dive guide, cylinders and weights.

Supplement per extra dive (up to 4 dives per day are available): £23.

Night boat dives can be arranged and paid for locally.

Additional Nights: The cost of these should be calculated by adding together any of the 3, 4 or 7 night modules shown above (these modules fit the infrequent flight schedule into and out of Yap).

Single Occupancy Supplement:

Garden View Room

£115 for 3 nights

£146 for 4 nights

£242 for 7 nights

Ocean View Room

£137 for 3 nights

£174 for 4 nights

£289 for 7 nights

Deluxe Ocean View Room

£206 for 3 nights

£259 for 4 nights

£430 for 7 nights

Deposit: £200

YAP AGGRESSOR

The Yap Aggressor (in reality the Palau Aggressor on seasonal relocation to Yap) is a very comfortable 33-metre catamaran that carries a maximum of 16 passengers in eight twin-berth cabins. Each air-conditioned cabin has a private head and shower with individual climate controls and a large window. Six crew members make sure that your diving holiday runs smoothly. Between dives guests can relax on the sundeck (either in or out of the shade) or try the amazing hot tub! The salon has an excellent collection of books, videos and music to enjoy.

The dive deck has racks for hanging dive suits. A large three-tiered camera table has plenty of space for camera assembly or preparation and separate rinse tanks are kept for cameras and videos. The photography department provides rental cameras and accessories as well as the services of the photo pro if you require a model or expert advice. E-6 processing is provided daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered including Nitrox and Rebreather training and facilities. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental by pre-arrangement.

Because of the currents in Yap, many of the dives are done as drifts and for this the amazing Palau Aggressor 'II-and-a-half' is deployed. This 10-metre dynamo of a boat can cruise at 50 knots! Ladders on either side assist with water exits and a canopy keeps divers well-shaded in the tropical Micronesian sun. Divers board this little boat on the dive deck, where she stays between dives attached to a hydraulic crane, and are then lowered into the water. After each dive she is raised once more to the dive deck and divers merely step off 'II-and-a-half' and onto 'II'. Divers' gear is loaded on to 'II-and-a-half' at the beginning of the cruise and stays there for the duration of the trip!

For after the dive there is a freshwater shower and clean towels awaiting, as well as the chef's freshly prepared snacks to appease the after-dive hunger pangs! Delicious barbecues, American and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and baked snacks come strait from the oven. Most meals are served buffet-style.

Palau Aggressoroperates out of the dock at the Manta Ray Bay Hotel for 7 nights cruises, departing every Sunday between August and October.

A Palau Aggressor brochure is available from our office on request.

£1684

Includes:

· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on Sundays.

· 7 nights cruise on Palau Aggressor on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.

· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note: A hotel and bed tax, currently US $65 per person, will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.

Non-divers: A £141 reduction applies.

Additional Week: A £141 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplements applies.

Deposit: £600

FLIGHTS

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Midday departure on Singapore Airlines from London (Heathrow) on Monday or Thursday, arriving at Manila the following afternoon. After an overnight stay at an hotel in Manila, continue on Wednesday or Saturday morning on a Continental Micronesia flight to Koror (Palau), arriving in the afternoon. Return flights leave Koror for Manila in the morning on Wednesday or Saturday. From Manila you continue on a Singapore Airlines afternoon flight to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and connect with an onward flight to London (Heathrow), arriving on Thursday or Sunday morning.

Flights are also available from Manchester at no extra charge.

£898 for departures 1 February-21 March, 1 September-30 November.

£1079 for departures 1-31 January, 1 April-30 June, 1-9 December.

£1191 for departures 22-31 March, 1-31 August.

£1266 for departures 1-31 July, 10-31 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Singapore/Manila/Singapore/London (Heathrow) by Singapore Airlines.

· Scheduled flights Manila/Yap/Manila by Continental Micronesia Airlines.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

Midday departure on Malaysia Airlines from London (Heathrow) on Monday or Thursday, arriving at Manila the following afternoon. After an overnight stay at an hotel in Manila, continue on Wednesday or Saturday morning on a Continental Micronesia flight to Koror (Palau), arriving in the afternoon. Return flights leave Koror for Manila in the morning on Wednesday or Saturday. From Manila you continue on a Malaysia Airlines afternoon flight to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and connect with an onward flight to London (Heathrow), arriving on Thursday or Sunday morning.

Flights are also available from Manchester at no extra charge.

£1029 for departures 1 February-21 March, 15 August-30 November.

£1091 for departures 22-31 March.

£1104 for departures 1-31 January, 1 April-30 June, 1-9 December.

£1266 for departures 1-15 August.

£1341 for departures 1-31 July, 10-31 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Kuala Lumpur/Manila/Kuala Lumpur/London (Heathrow) by Malaysia Airlines.

· Scheduled flights Manila/Yap/Manila by Continental Micronesia Airlines.

Business Class Upgrades: These are available on Malaysia Airlines between the UK and Manila at attractive rates. Please contact our office for details.

Guam Routing: Additional flight options are available to Yap via Guam (arriving and leaving Yap on Sunday, which is ideal for taking a cruise on Yap Aggressor), but this routing is much more expensive. Please ask our office for details if interested.

Overnights in Manila: £42 per night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a comfortable hotel situated close to Manila Airport, on a twin/share basis with breakfast. A single occupancy supplement of £42 per night applies. Please note: Airport/hotel transfers are not included: local taxis are safe and inexpensive.

Sample Itinerary (including 7 nights in Yap)

Day 1 (Monday): Depart London (Heathrow) at midday.

Day 2 (Tuesday): Arrive Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in the morning and Manila in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Manila.

Day 3 (Wednesday): Depart Manila in the morning, arrive Yap in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel for 7 nights Yap.

Days 4-9 (Thursday-Tuesday): 6 days diving Yap.

Day 10 (Wednesday): Depart Yap for Manila in the morning, arrive Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in afternoon and connect with onward flight in evening.

Day 11 (Thursday). Morning arrival at London (Heathrow).

SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS

Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore as part of your holiday? Singapore Airlines fly between London and Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no additional airfare. We can arrange your hotel accommodation: for details please see the Sipadan entry in this brochure.

COMBINING YAP AND PALAU

Why not extend your holiday in Micronesia and visit Palau's strange and beautiful 'Rock Islands' with their amazing diving? We can arrange for you to stay at the fabulous Palau Pacific Resort or else take a cruise on Sun Dancer II or Palau Aggressor, two of the world's top liveaboards. Details of costs can be found in the Palau entry in this brochure. There is no additional charge over and above the London - Yap airfare as a free stopover in Palau is included.