Yap's Manta Rays

Yap Island has become renowned for it's large population of resident Manta Rays. Yap is probably the best place on earth to see these gentle giants.

Over 100 Manta Rays live year round in the waters surrounding Yap. In the winter (usually December to late April) the Mantas normally congregate in even greater numbers in Mi'l Channel for the mating season. During the summer season, they tend to spend their mornings in Goofnuw channel in the Valley of the Rays.

Every morning, huge Manta Rays cruise into protected channels that penetrate the Yap’s barrier reef. They come to "Cleaning Stations" where small-specialized reef fishes called cleaners pick off tiny parasites that the Mantas pick up in blue water while feeding. The Mantas slowly circle the cleaning station and frequently pass within inches of the observing diver's heads. Small Mantas are generally about 8 feet from wingtip to wingtip. The larger rays are reported to be up to 16 feet across.

During the Manta mating season (December to late April), processions of as many as a dozen of the huge Rays can be seen cruising back and forth in Mi'l channel.

The mantas in Yap are unique though - Yap is one of the few known location where mantas stay in one place year in and year out. The reason for this is still unclear. One theory is that Yap is like an oasis in a desert ocean - surrounded by deep trenches. Leaving Yap it's quite far to the closest places offering food and safety.