MICRONESIA

MICRONESIA Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers Dive year-round with sharks, manta rays and exotic sea life at Manta Ray Bay Resort, the island's only luxury dedicated dive facility. Yap offers clear, warm water outer reef diving in small groups on exclusive dive sites and is the world's first manta ray sanctuary. Its protected waters ensure consistent big animal encounters and a frontier diving experience. There are 35 rooms, including garden view double occupancy, ocean view or luxury suites with a private jacuzzi or plunge pool. Relax at the infinity pool, get a massage or body treatment with local organic oils at the Taro Leaf Spa, located on-site. Dive up to five times per day, including night dives and daily excursions to see mating manderinfish. Expect wall, cavern swim throughs and drift diving over some of the South Pacific's healthiest reefs. Adrenaline raising shark speciality dives are available every day for the closest encounters with grey and black tip reef sharks. Nitrox, Mares rentals, dive training, photo/video pro services are all available. Manta Ray Bay and Yap Divers is the original and most knowledgeable operator with almost 30 years in a business renowned for friendly personal service. Family owned and operated, Bill and Patricia Acker routinely take guests out for personally guided dive days on Yap's pristine outer reefs. Family dive packages and adventures are available as well as an annual kids sea camp week. Kayaking, snorkelling and blue water fishing excursions are available daily. For photographers, Manta Ray Bay hosts an annual two-week long photography contest where contestants get one-onone shooting tips from the world's top professionals and compete for $25,000 in prizes. Each boat is equipped for safely transporting DLSR cameras— and the dive shop features large rinse tanks with individual photo/ video recharging workstations. Breakfast is included as well as a complimentary wake-up service with hot tea or coffee delivered. Enjoy traditional flavour and fusion cuisine with microbrew beer made on-site at the Nautical bar or Crow's Nest lounge aboard a 100-year-old Indonesian schooner named Mnuw (Seahawk). Yap boasts Micronesia's most intact ancient culture with tours, demonstrations and excursions available from the hotel. Explore WWII relics on land and on the reef. Visit plane wrecks, an air strip and see weapon installations on personally guided historic land tours. PO Box MR, Colonia, Yap 96943 MICRONESIA Tel: +691 350 2300  Email: welcome@mantaray.com  www.mantaray.com www.paradisesonline.com  161

• Cover