Personalised diving at its best
Beyond
The Reef started operations ten years ago under the direction
of Jesse Faimaw, Yap's first dive guide and Dave Vecella,
the current proprietor.
Their dive vacation philosophy is simple: Small groups allow
for personal service.
With small group sizes, you won't be diving in a crowd,
so the mantas, sharks, eagle rays, and schools of pelagics
come closer and stay longer.
Beyond The Reef operates a fleet of small, fast boats which
take a maximum of 4 to 6 divers each. All boats are covered
to give protection from the sun and are run by professional
local guides for safety and enjoyment. Free snacks and refreshments
are available on board.
Snorkelers can also see the mantas, and experience the
beauty of the outer reefs.
Dive Sites
The
professional staff will guide you to the best diving Yap
has to offer, from the gentle mantas of Mil Channel and
Valley of the Rays, to the spectacular walls, reefs and
sheer drop-offs at the southern end of the island such as
the Yap Caverns, Magic Kingdom, Cabbage Patch & Gilman
Wall.
Most of Yap's dive sites are within a 30-50 minute boat
ride of the dive centre.
Click
here for general information about the diving regions
of Yap.
Itineraries
The
daily dive trips with "Beyond The Reef" visit
all of Yap's best sites, including the famous manta rays.
In the morning, dive crew will pick you up from your hotel
and drop you off there when you return. Departure times
vary, depending on the destination. When diving with the
mantas, the boats need to run in accordance with the local
tides and can depart as early as 6:30 am, up until about
12 noon. For the reefs and wall dives, departure is usually
around 8:30 am, but also can be flexible with these times,
to better suit the needs of the divers.
Although most guests prefer a single or two-tank dive trip,
third tanks, fourth tanks, and night dives are offered on
request. On most two-tank dive trips you can expect to be
back at your hotel by lunch time or early afternoon depending
on your departure time.
On
all dives you are escorted by Dave, or one of his experienced
local dive masters, who will guide you to the best spots
and point out the most interesting marine features.
After the day's diving, equipment is washed in fresh water
rinse tanks, and divers can leave their equipment in the
secure overnight equipment room. The dive shop building
has a simple toilet, no showers or separate change rooms.
The next day, the dive crew will set up your equipment for
you on the boat, so the only thing you need to think about
in the morning is how you like your coffee.
Dive Services
Beyond
The Reef's waterfront dive centre is conveniently located
in the town centre of Colonia, a leisurely stroll from most
of Yap's hotels and adjacent to the jetty.
The dive shop has a fully stocked rental department, including
Aqualung regulators and BCD's, Deep See wetsuits, Suunto
dive computers, masks, snorkels, fins, and Sealife Reefmaster
35mm cameras.
Prices
Beyond The Reef offers competitive dive and accommodation
packages in conjunction with Pathways
Hotel, the O'Keefe's
Waterfront Inn and other hotels in Yap.
Independent
