Snorkeling

Snorkeling the shallow lagoons and bays of Yap open up the underwater world to both novice and advanced snorkelers. Depending on the clarity of the water, snorkelers can often see mantas, accompanying divers on the boat to the nutrient rich channels. Yap's deep channels provide a safe habitat for the mantas as they are being cleaned, and along the sides of these channels are prolific corals teeming with flourescent reef fish with exotic names such as Moorish Idols and Long Nose Butterflyfish, Titan Triggerfish and Peacock Grouper. Pipefish are common too, and are in the Seahorse family. Giant clams are found as well, and starfish of many different colors and shapes. The reef begins in only a few feet of water, sloping down in a field of live hard and soft corals. The inner lagoon is somewhat sheltered from the elements of nature, providing multiple sites to wander and explore.

Beyond The Reef operates both "snorkelers only" trips, catering to novices and families that want to see the best areas with the maximum flexibility of schedules, and snorkel/dive adventure trips, where the snorkelers accompany the divers. These adventure trips are usually geared towards the more advanced skill level, as snorkelers often encounter the ocean waves and currents, but are more likely to come face to face with sharks, turtles, eagle rays, barracudas and the schooling pelagics found on the outer reef walls.

Our trips are conducted with safety in mind, but please let us know in advance which type of trip you would prefer. Depending on the tides and the visibility on any given day, the manta rays can be seen by everyone.

So come spend a day snorkeling with Beyond The Reef and a whole new world will enchant you, gently floating on the surface as the underwater world passes by, oblivious of being watched from above. From the majestic manta rays to the sleeping sharks to the myriad of schooling reef fish, you're sure to see something new and exciting.