• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • White Ginger agate necklace12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
        • how to delete duplicate photosHow to manage your photo duplicates
        • International Baccalaureate Continuum school.International IB school with a 40-year legacy
        • Dog in poolPet-friendly places at Dempsey
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Free Your Self From Pain | Katie Byron with Russell BrandGreat podcasts we are listening to!
        • bookGreat books: What to read this month
        • FireflyWhat to watch this month
        • feautureWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • White Ginger agate necklace12 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
        • tantrumHow to handle toddler tantrums & meltdowns
        • low school fees in SingaporeA primary school with lower school fees
        • International Baccalaureate Continuum school.International IB school with a 40-year legacy
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Arete Culture- customised furniture singaporeGetting custom-made furniture – just right for you!
        • Kitchen AidHome News: décor, furniture and more!
        • Island Living -where to buy a good bed in singaporeWhere to buy a really good bed
        • family outsideGoing for gold – and that hotel feel!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • AmanHotel deals & Singapore Staycations
        • GullfossThe most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world!
        • westinFun staycations for families and foodies
        • food7 Instagrammable cafés in Sydney
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • le petit depot singapore wine deliveryOnline alcohol delivery – wine, champagne, beer & spirits!
        • Bar reviw – boogie stLatest bars in Singapore: New drinking spots!
        • kombuchaWhere to get Kombucha: Fizzy goodness
        • Fat Belly SocialNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • expat womenWhere to find clothes in Singapore that fit!
        • new storesFashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • k18 hair mask for frizzy hair damage bleached hair treatmentThis hair mask reduces frizz in just 4 minutes!
        • summer clothes - PALEMChoosing clothes for our endless summer!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • kombuchaWhere to get Kombucha: Fizzy goodness
        • health tip: stretch at your deskHow to be healthier: 5 simple tips
        • JuiceHealth News: What’s up!
        • Advantage PilatesPilates Studios – for your core and more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Travel » Rest Of World » Yappy Days! Diving in Yap, Micronesia

Yappy Days! Diving in Yap, Micronesia

1st June 2017 by Catherine Willingham 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/yappy-days-diving-in-yap-micronesia/

You’ve probably already asked yourself (and the person sitting next to you), “Where’s Yap?” So let’s get that sorted first. Yap is located in the Caroline Islands of the Western Pacific Ocean, and is a part of the Federated States of Micronesia. Micronesia is made up of approximately 2,100 islands, the largest of which is Guam.

Flights are easy enough: ten hours, including a quick stop at Hong Kong, Nagoya or another regional hub. Arriving in a relatively short period of time in a country that’s part of the US felt very strange. However, the American pancakes and bottomless coffee were a much-appreciated treat during my one-night layover in Guam’s Santa Fe Hotel. The next day, after an additional 70-minute flight, we were greeted at the airport at Yap with a traditional flower garland or lei.

Swiftly escorted to Manta Ray Bay Resort by the complimentary shuttle (10 minutes), I was one step further – though I didn’t know it yet – to fulfilling a lifetime dream of diving with manta rays. My room looked out onto the ocean and although the sun had set I could just tell that there was something different about this place; my first dive would be starting at 8am and I contemplated not even sleeping and waiting on the harbour with my fins on, ready to dive in. But jetlag had it’s own ideas.

When the day dawned I saw a huge boat moored next to the resort; “Why is there a 55-metre schooner right here?” I wondered. Moving closer, I heard a voice say, “Miss Sarah, that’s where you will be eating breakfast”. And she wasn’t joking; before I knew it, I was enjoying a freshly made omelette on the bottom deck of an Indonesian schooner, named Mnuw, watching the sun come up while coffee was brought to my table. I guess I’ve had worse Wednesdays.

 

Diving, Diving in Yap, Diving in Micronesia, Micronesia, Yap, Travel, Adventure, Diving Holiday
Diving with sharks in Yap, Micronesia

To me, scuba diving is the most fantastic thing on the planet, and it seemed everyone at Manta Ray Bay Resort agreed. Boats go out everyday at around 8am, 10.30am or, for a night dive, 7pm. You can choose whether you want to do a two-tank or a three-tank day. If you choose three tanks, lunch is also provided on the boat.

With around 50 dive sites in Yap, you’re spoilt for choice. You can choose which sites you want to go to on which days, and a schedule is put up every evening for you to see. Inevitably, one boat heads to the manta cleaning station each day. Although they can’t guarantee mantas, there are only distant memories of days without sightings. It’s safe to say, within your week at Manta Bay Resort, you are highly likely to see them. And when you do, you won’t believe your eyes.

Yap is a great place to try shark diving for the first time as the conditions are perfect and the guides extremely experienced. I did at least two dives every day, seeing a variety of wildlife and corals; the water was warm enough that I didn’t need a wetsuit. Not a day went by without a pod of dolphins following the boat, and we were even fortunate enough to see pilot whales. On one occasion, we jumped into snorkel with the dolphins, and we followed a pod for a good half hour in the open ocean. This was one of my most magical experiences in Yap – and completely unexpected.

Diving, Diving in Yap, Diving in Micronesia, Micronesia, Yap, Travel, Adventure, Diving Holiday
Diving in Yap, Micronesia – Aerial view of a dive site

Fact File

Getting There

From Singapore, it’s just over 10 hours to Guam, including one stop; numerous airlines fly there via Japan, Hong Kong and other hubs. United Airlines is the sole carrier to Yap (70 minutes; Tuesday, Saturday). Manta Ray Bay Resort then escorts you to the resort. For flight deals, contact the resort directly (yapdivers@mantaray.com). COST Manta Ray Bay Resort’s standard package costs US$1,419 and includes seven nights accommodation, with buffet breakfast, five days’ diving (two dives per day), airport transfers and taxes. Extras include Nitrox, shark-feeding dives, a third tank and night dives. Room-only rates start from $149 per night.

Dining

The Mnuw is the most unique restaurant in Micronesia, if not the world. She’s a 55m Indonesian pinisi schooner with three dining decks, two bars and a kitchen. Breakfast is included in all packages, and you can unwind after a full day of activities with a cold homebrew or a coconut. Freshly caught fish is served every day, and there are vegetarian options and a kids’ menu. Head upstairs to the rooftop bar to end the day with a cocktail or another glass of beer.

Spa

The Taro Leaf Spa takes the best of everything that is Yapese to bring you an experience that will leave you relaxed, invigorated and harmonised. The décor is based on island themes, and all the products use locally sourced plants. A range of treatments is available, and they can fit in around your diving schedule.

When To Come

Mantas can be seen all year round; however, the best manta diving is in the mating season, fromDecember through to April. The climate in Yap is hot and humid – annual average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius, and the average water temperature is 28.

Diving Courses

Yap is a perfect place to learn to dive or to advance your diving career. Junior Open Water courses are available for children from age 10. Open Water (your first scuba dive certification) costs $495 and can be completed within your own time frame (minimum three days); Advanced and Rescue are also available, and you can even complete your DiveMaster training. getting you on the road to working in the dive industry.

Family Options

Kids’ Sea Camp, 18-25 June 2016 Manta Ray Bay Resort has put together a summer dive and culture package for divers and non-divers, catering to family members of all ages. Parents dive with adults in the morning while kids do junior dives in concert with PADI Seal Team and SASY (snorkelling) activities. Afternoons involve family dives for both parents and kids. (All these activities can also be arranged outside the scheduled camp in June.) Childcare is provided if your young ones don’t dive or if you need some relaxation time. The resort’s double suites sleep up to six people; extra beds are available.

By Sarah Richard

Read the full story in the February 2016 edition of Expat Living magazine Subscribe

Check out more like this in our Travel section

Categories: Rest Of World Travel Tags: Micronesia Singapore Adventure Travel Singapore Diving Holiday Singapore Travel

Catherine Willingham

You May Also Like

Gullfoss

The most Instagrammed waterfalls in the world!

Fun staycations for families and foodies

7 Instagrammable cafés in Sydney

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Most of us know UFIT, a very popular fitness and wellness brand in Singapore with over 100 coaches and clinicians who have worked hard to keep us fit and healthy over the years. 

UFIT's journey started off in 2009 with a small group attending bootcamps, leading to them launching their flagship studio in 2011. Now they have another baby, as they recently opened a beautiful new studio centrally based at the Fairmont Hotel 
 
Check out their website via their Insta page (tagged here). 

There will be a 10% discount off Personal Training and Private Group Training for new clients at the Fairmont studio only. 
To redeem, simply register via their website under Fairmont Studio and mention ‘Expat Living’ in the submission form. 
Sign ups must be before 30th April and it’s applicable to the first package only 

T&Cs
Must purchase by 30th April
applicable to the first package only
Fairmont Studio only. 

#Expatlivingsg #UFITsg #livinginsingapore #health #fitness #wellness #grouptraining #personaltraining
Open
The hype around kombucha is fairly recent, but did you know that this fizzy, fermented tea-based drink has ancient origins? 

First brewed in northeast China over 2,000 years ago, kombucha is said to impart a range of health benefits, from strengthening immunity to improving gut health.

Sasha’s Farms is a non-profit social enterprise that supports and promotes small and independent businesses like Kore Culture Labs, a fermenting café in Bali producing healthy kombuchas and sodas. 

Head to our website where you can read about four reasons why you should give them a try

#expatlivingsg #sashasfinefoods #ethicallysourced #sustainableliving #ethicalgrocer #sustainablesg #healthyliving #superfoods #kombucha #kombuchasg #sff #sashasfinefoods
Open
As a new(ish) kid on the block, Razum International School offers something a little different as far as international primary schools in Singapore go. 

Two expat mums, Elena and Marina, joined forces to create a primary school experience that focuses on a shorter day, strong academic curriculum and more affordable school fees in Singapore.

The shorter learning hours – from 8.45am to 1pm – means your child can spend the afternoon doing extra-curricular activities (ECAs). Kids can opt for activities they enjoy provided by external providers, or use the time to focus on their competitive sports or music classes or simply spend quality time with the family.

Find out more about this and other interesting aspects of Razum by clicking on our website via the link in our bio. You can even book a school tour!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #internationalschoolsingapore #bestboutiqueschoolsingapore #monthlypayment #educationsg #primaryschool #siblingdiscount
Open
** GIVEAWAY ALERT**

This month, we’ve teamed up with @andazsingapore for a special giveaway! 
One winner will receive four vouchers for Alley on 25’s Lazy Breakfast, including free-flow alcohol🍷🍾🍸. Held on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 12pm to 2.30pm, the brunch lets you choose a main from a selection of hearty dishes like avocado toast and a veggie friendly margherita panini. Also included are unlimited plates of cold seafood, cold cuts, cheeses, salads and cooked-to-order eggs, served straight to your table.

To win all you have to do is 

1️⃣ Follow @andazsingapore on Instagram

2️⃣ Tag 3 friends who you want to bring along 

3️⃣ Register your details on the link in our IG Stories/ Competition Highlight

Good Luck!! 

#giveaway #giveawaysg #entertowin #winwinwin #sggiveaway #sggiveaways #expatlivinggiveaway #b#bubblybrunch #freeflow #andazsingapore
Open
New to Expat Living? Sign up today for a free subscription to our monthly magazine! 💕 
Visit 👉 expatliving.sg/free/subs/ig/

*Applicable to first-time subscribers only

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sgexpat #expatsg #igsg #sgdining #sghome #sgsales #sgfurniture #sgproperty #sghomedecor #expatlifesg #singaporehomes
Open
Wondering where to go for a drink this Friday night? 

From clever cocktail bars to fancy speakeasies in town, we have the hottest, newest or most notable watering holes to get your alcohol (and social) fix – whether you’re craving a martini, a gin and tonic, or just a glass of wine. 

Check out the link on our stories (it’s in our highlights tab and also on our website, and we’ll update this regularly, so remember to bookmark it! 🍹 🍸

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #cocktails #cocktailssg #happyhoursg #cocktailsofinstagram #fridaydrinks
Open
** Friday Giveaway** 

We have 5x PHS HAIRSCIENCE Signature Daily Regime set to giveaway! 
Who wants in? 🙋‍♀️

Specially formulated to effectively treat scalp and hair concerns, PHS HAIRSCIENCE® Daily Regime combines scientifically proven methods, high concentrations of botanical essences and stem cell technology into a 3 step scalp and hair care routine. 
They do these 3 simple steps 

1. Double Cleanse, Moisturise and Treat every day for a healthy scalp and gorgeous tresses
2. Improves overall scalp health and strengthens hair roots
3. Repairs and nourishes scalp 

How to enter? 
1. Comment Me! and tag a friend 
2. Follow @phshairscience 
3. Register your details on the link- check out at our IG stories and Competition highlight. 

Good luck! 

#beautifulhair 
#fridaygiveaway 
#expatlivingsg
#PHS
Open
The range of outdoor furniture in Singapore is pretty amazing. 

Check out these good furniture stores via the link on the horn page of our website that carry practical, stylish pieces, including some of the best outdoor furniture brands. 

From sofas, chairs and tables to rugs, lanterns and even pizza ovens, you’ll be all set for living a great outdoor life in style and comfort. There are also gorgeous accessories if you just need to make your outdoor area look a bit more ‘pulled together’!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #outdoorfurniture #patiofurniture #interiordesigners
Open
**Win a Social Media Marketing Strategy** 

Calling all business owners! 

@theemms.sg is awarding one lucky entrepreneur or small business with a professional social media marketing strategy, worth $850. 

Designed to meet your specific goals and challenges, this the prize includes:

1️⃣A strategic review of your company’s Instagram or Facebook page
2️⃣A one-on-one session to learn how you can improve your platforms
3️⃣A detailed social media strategy to help you implement with style for 3 months.
Keen to win it? 🤔 
All you need to do is:
1. Comment Me! 🙋🏻‍♀️ or tag your friend who has a business. 
2. Follow @theemms.sg 
3. Register your name and email on the link in our story or see our story highlights for more! 
Good Luck! 

#expatlivinggiveaway 
#singapore 
#theemms
#marketing 
#socialmediastrategy 
#marielle
#intitowinit
Open
We love hearing where our readers live so each month we ask residents to talk about their homes and neighbourhoods to help others who are living in Singapore make a better decision. 

Moving is always pretty stressful, so it’s good to get some recommendations first. 

This month Marina Matthews talks about living at Laguna Park condo off Marine Parade on the East Coast.

Check out the full article with Marina’s recommendations on our website (link in bio) 

#Expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #eastcoastsg #marineparadesg #lagunaparksg #singaporeneighbourhoods #singapore
Open
To tan or not to tan, that is the question! 

We all know that extended hours under the sun is no good for the skin, and there can be damage from both good old-fashioned sunbathing and indoor tanning. 

Check out our website where we look at why people want that bronzy glow plus the risks of tanning and how top aesthetic treatments from Amaris B Clinic can help rewind some of the damage like sun spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and even cellulite

#Expatlivingsg #amarisbclinic #amarisb #livinginsingapore #tanning #sunbathing #aesthetictreatments #sunspots #hyperpigmentation
Open
Read our latest issue on any device for free! 👉 expatliving.sg/digital/ig

In this issue, step inside an interior designer’s home in Clementi, find out where our readers get their customised furniture and get great furnishing ideas for your bathroom and kitchen.

Plus, check out 3 popular bubbly brunches 🥂 and a newly revamped bar in town for you to try; there’s plenty more, too, including classic wrap dresses, activewear and our recommendations on comfy trainers!
Open
If you are craving some vitamin-sea, then set sail on Royal Carribean’s Quantum of the Seas, offering two, three, and four-night Ocean Getaways from Singapore until October 2021 all with 50% discount and free kids places. 

Every moment onboard this fabulous ship has sunshine, good times and wow-worthy experiences. 

Rest assured your well-being is their top priority and the staff do an amazing job of making your holiday safer, so you can focus on memory making.

We are on board now, do let us know if you have any questions to ask 🛳 

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #royalcarribeansg #quantumoftheseas #cruisetonowhere #cruising2021 #seacations #instasg #cruisingsg
Open
** Giveaway**

@_aquariva_ is giving away one of their gorgeous dresses or jumpsuits to the value of $250.
Yeay!! 💃🏼

@_aquariva_ is known for its clean lines and soft curves, lavished with their favourite seasonal prints. Effortlessly charming, elegant and just the right relaxed proportions. Perfect for the woman on the go! 
They use traditional screen printing for all of their fabrics and dresses 👗are lovingly done by hand, even the drying method is done naturally by sunlight ☀️How cool and environmentally friendly 👌🏻✌🏻. A lot of love goes into the Aquariva piece that you wear!

How to win: 
1. Like this post 
2. Follow @_aquariva_ 
3. Comment what size you are and tag a friend 

It's that easy! 
Good luck! 

#beautifuldresses 
#singapore 
#tropical 
#dress 
#handmade
#screenprintingfabrics
#giveaway 
#expatlivingsg
#elegantdresses 
#tagafriend
Open
East Coast restaurants – specifically in Katong and Joo Chiat – have always been known for their good food. More recently though, the area has seen a rise in great cafes, specialty grocers, Italian cuisine and bakeries (with fresh sourdough!). 

From East Coast brunch cafes and alfresco restaurants, to bars and gourmet supermarkets, we have a list of the top East Coast food options to try on the home page of our website (link in bio). 

And if it’s not your neighbourhood, nothing is that far away in Singapore. You can walk along the coast or look at funky shophouses before or after and make it an outing!

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #eastcoastsg #igfood #foodsg #instafood #joochiat #joochiatroad #tanjongkatong #siglap
Open
The school holidays are still in full swing so if you are looking to entertain kids or just looking to take a break over the long Easter weekend, have a look at the travel page on our website where you will find lots of info on various staycation packages around the island 🏝 

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #staycations #staycationssg #ighotels #easterinsg #easter2021
Open
There are many maternity insurance plans on the market, but do you know what’s written in the fine print? 

If you’re thinking of getting pregnant with the help of fertility treatments, you’d want to know what’s included in your policy and if the procedures you need are covered. 

We have a great article on our website (link in bio) where the team at Expat Insurance brief us on what’s covered for fertility treatments

#expatlivingsg #livinginsingapore #expatinsurancesg #insuranceinsingapore #fertilitytreatmentsg #ivfsg
Open
The new addition to the 
W Atelier stable is the high-end Italian designer furniture brand Cassina. The Cassina Perspective is the name given to the space – and it’s a bit of a “wow”! In fact, the whole showroom at Henderson Road will likely wow you: three floors (300 square metres) of eye candy for home décor lovers and interior designers. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re renovating or doing up your home, or you love furniture design and want an iconic statement piece. 

If you’re like us, you’ll be touching everything and trying out all the sofas and chairs! 

Check out our website for some more info on their stunning products (link in bio) 

#expatlivingsg #wateliersg #furnituresg #furnituredesignsg #interiordesignsg #homeaccessoriessg #livinginsingapore
Open
Want a free copy of our latest Home & Property Guide? Sign up to our newsletter by 31 March to get a copy delivered to you! 👉 expatliving.sg/hpg/ig

❣️ Over 100 pages of fabulous furnishing ideas, decoration and design tips from the experts, and a peek inside some of our readers’ stunning homes – from condo apartments to black-and-white bungalows.

You’re sure to find something to fall in love with from our catalogue of amazing products for every room of the house. There’s also advice on services, utilities, leasing and serviced apartment accommodation 🏠

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #sghomes #sgfurniture #sgproperty #sghomedecor 
#sgexpat #expatsg #expatlifesg #igsg #sghome #singaporehomes
Open
Get your copy of the April issue here! 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

In this issue, step inside an interior designer’s home in Clementi, find out where our readers get their customised furniture and get great furnishing ideas for your bathroom and kitchen.

Plus, check out 3 popular bubbly brunches 🥂 and a newly revamped bar in town for you to try; there’s plenty more, too, including classic wrap dresses, activewear and our recommendations on comfy trainers!

.
#expatlivingsg #expatliving #customfurnituresg #brunchsg #sgdining #sghome #sgfashion #fashionsg #sgexpat #expatsg #igsg
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.