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 and other hotels in Yap.