Where on earth is Yap? And what to do when you get there!
Last updated on May 19th, 2026 at 03:48 pm
An Introduction to Yap
Getting off the plane and walking into the airport a pretty flower lei is placed around my neck by a plump and smiling lady. Welcome to Yap!
Yap, in Micronesia, is a huge success story in preserving traditional culture while getting along with the modern world. Remote, friendly and fascinating – it’s definitely a top destination for those that like to get off the beaten path!
It is, quite simply, fascinating. I’m not one for a lot of history and culture but here you can’t help but be fully interested – think stone money, no public land, communities tending the roadside areas, and a traditional culture based on sustainable use of the land! And, Yes you heard me right, there is stone money! Apart from the culture, the sea surrounding the islands is full of life and the manta rays and sharks are an absolute treat!
Where is Yap?
In the Federated States of Micronesia in the West Pacific Ocean – see the map below.
Before I get to the best things to do in Yap, these are a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content. Cheers!
A Quick Guide to help you plan your trip to Yap
Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
The best things to do in Yap – what not to miss!
1. Go diving with manta rays and snorkel with sharks
Yap is famous among divers. But in particular for the manta rays and the cleaning stations which are very accessible. Mantas are almost guaranteed all year round. There is even an annual MantaFest dive festival in August / September.
Miil Channel is great for mantas – especially manta mating season from December-April. A fantastic little sidenote – Yap is the first country to have put into place extreme protection of their manta rays – injuring, harming or killing a manta ray within the local sanctuary is a felony that comes with minimum jail time and huge fines.
Vertigo point is a famous dive site where dozens of black and grey tip reef sharks hang out.
You dive in the outer reefs and just the journey to get there from Colonia is a lot of fun – about 20 minutes through the jungle and mangrove-lined rivers until you get to reef areas.
Snorkeling is fantastic too. The outer reef has fantastic drop offs so there is plenty to see. The water in the outer reef of Yap is also incredibly clear and an insane blue (check the shark in the pics)!
For diving and snorkeling trips try Yap Divers at Manta Ray Bay Resort or Nature’s Way. I went snorkelling with Natures Way which at the time was running small groups, which suited me perfectly but I Yap Divers are great too. Chat to them about what they offer.
2. Walk the Tamilyog trail and other stone pathways
The most well known walking trail in Yap is the 5.5km (2hours) Tamilyog Trail. The trail runs from east to west and follows an ancient stone pathway. You get wonderful views across the island as well as lush and beautiful forest walking. I was completely mesmerised by the whole walk. It is definitely a “must-do” while you are here!
Along the way some villages provide resting spots. The slanting stones in the ‘Rest Stop’ photo below, are not cemetery markers as I first thought, but are backrests provided in a designated resting place for people walking the trail. This provides a space for the walker to rest, so they do not need to go onto private property!
3. Take a tour of Yap and learn about the history and culture as you go
A tour or hiring a driver is better than a really good idea. It saves you hiring a car as pretty much everything is within walking distance around town. And it solves the issue of going on private land. (99% of Yap, including beaches, is privately owned. You must get permission before going on this private land.) Book a tour with a local guide through your hotel.
As you drive around the few roads in Yap you will notice that beautiful lush tropical forest covers most of the land. As well, pretty plants, like hibiscus, line the roadsides. This is from one of the most beautiful customs in Yap. Women from local communities tend the roadsides in their area as a way of giving back to the community.
Yap is just way ahead of the rest of us when it comes to sustainability!
It has had sustainable use of their land as a part of their culture for ages past. No clear felling of trees here and the forest is well cared for and still in its natural state over almost the entire island. The local people tend it in what seems perfect harmony – in return it provides food and medicine as well as stability of the environment. Plain Beautiful – right?
Beachfront sand and palms are rare in Yap. The majority of the coastline is mangroves and the few beaches are privately owned (other than Sunset Park). Your driver or tour guide will take you to some places, maybe a beach like I went to, that you can’t go on your own.
You will get to see various stone money banks (see 4.) as well as a number of the planes (See 5.) Its all really interesting!
Also ask your driver to also take you to a Men’s House. You will find ‘men’s houses’ dotted around the island usually by the water. Here the men meet to determine the days work and monitor the sea – any ‘foreign’ boats coming in must ‘report’ to the men’s house. Always ask permission before entering if there are people around. My guide took me into the one below (see the stone money in front too) and we spent a fair bit of time here chatting with one old fellow – just another added bonus of a guide.
4. Visit a stone money or “rai” bank
If you take a tour or driver, they will take you to the stone money banks. The locals still use stone money, or “rai,” for large transactions such as property exchanges, or for cultural reasons. My guide noted that sometimes even fines are paid with rai!
The rai do not get moved around. Instead everyone knows who owns which rai and, if it exchanges hands, everyone knows that quickly. My guide told me they are now making a written record of who owns what rai.
You will also see rai in all sorts of random places, like, outside of houses, or just on the side of a path in the forest, but the money banks are unbeatable. I never got sick of seeing stone money and when I came across it in the forest it was just so crazy and mind-blowing. Loved it!!
Fun facts: The rai were not quarried from Yap, but the Yapese traveled by outrigger canoe all the way to Palau where they quarried for the stones. This was a perilous journey in those days and the value of the stone was not entirely relative to its size but also to how perilous the particular journey was, as well as to its quality and size.
5. See the fantastic Japanese zeros and USA WWII planes
There are plenty of WWII ‘sights’ in Yap. Around the island are sizeable remnants of Japanese and American planes – literally all over the place. I’m a bit of a sucker for planes and my dad was in the air force during WWII so of course I absolutely loved doing this!
You will find all sorts including Avengers, Corsairs, Helldivers and Liberators, an F4F Hellcat fighter, zeros, and Japanese Betsys, a fabulous Japanese Torpedo Bomber.
Many of them have good information boards with explanations about the aircraft and pilot flying when it crashed. There are a few sites on the Tamilyog Trail and your guide will show you others.
6. …and see the crashed Boeing!
Another unusual thing to see is a more recently crashed (1980) Boeing 727-100 in the jungle – with easy access. It was on its way to Yap from Guam and the pilot missed the runway as such!
7. Walk Ganir (Colonia) Bridge for the views and wander around the lagoon to the Visitors Bureau
Walk across Ganir Bridge – its actually just a bridge not an attraction, but has the best view of the lagoon of Chamorro Bay. Keep walking and just take in the daily life around the lagoon (about 2km walk).
And when I was there people were making traditional canoes along the lagoon frontage.
There are some short ancient stone pathways near the township as well – ask at the Yap Vistors Bureau for directions. Whatever you manage to see, it is a totally pleasant way to spend a morning or afternoon.
8. Visit the Yap Living History Museum
Near the Ganir Bridge and next to the Police Station is the Yap Living History Museum. This museum has a number of traditional buildings including a men’s house and a meeting house – with a good display of stone money in place outside.
8. Paddleboard or take a ride in a traditional canoe on Chamorro Bay
You’ve seen Chamorro Bay, now try a paddleboard on the lagoon investigating the mangroves and just soaking in the beauty of the island. Alternatively, how about a traditional outrigger canoe.
Ask your hotel to get in touch with Larry Raigetal who works with youth who learn traditional skills and will take you for a great ride on one of these canoes.
The Yap Traditional Navigation Society, which was formed to preserve the art and encourage the practice of the skills of traditional navigation do tours (which unfortunately I didn’t get to do but think would be fascinating). You can book a tour to see a ‘popow’ or traditional canoe and go out on the water in one.
9. Have a “Yap Slap” at O’Keefes – even better stay here!
Music, of the times, wafts to greet you as you walk through the garden path to the entrance. Visit the cozy waterfront lounge – the bar has a great selection of liquor, but make sure to try their signature drink the ‘Yap Slap’.
I absolutely loved staying at O’Keefe’s Waterfront Inn – it’s pure old-world charm with absolutely charming staff and fabulous 20’s relics to match. The entire ambience in this small five room plus lounge colonial boutique inn is perfect.
The rooms are in keeping with the hotel – not modern at all, but each of the five rooms has an over water balcony to sit and while away the time in. That’s very easy to do!
10. Have a ‘stone money’ beer, and dine aboard the Mnuw Bar & Restaurant!
Yap is not a place for fine dining – but the Mnuw Bar and Restaurant is just fun! And a great way to meet people if you are traveling alone. This intriguingly restored Phinisi schooner from Indonesia has a range of meals and various decks to dine on – inside or out!
Definitely try the beer from their in-house microbrewery – the Stone Money Brewing Company!
11. Learn about traditional fishing and fish in ancient Yapese fish traps
Over the years the Yapese people built hundreds of tidal traps and weirs made from stone and wood. Some are small bamboo weirs and others are huge long lasting arrow-shaped stone traps called Aech (seen in the photo).
They are built with the tip of the arrow pointing to sea and the shaft of the arrow near the shore. The arrow shafts create a barrier to fish swimming along the coastline, guiding them into the head of the arrow where they are trapped when the tide goes out.
Many of these traps have not been maintained, but now the Historic Preservation Office is leading projects to repair them. There is a really impressive one in the Gagil municipality and you can go on a tour where you can catch fish in the trap and even have it cooked for you on the spot (as well as go snorkeling and swimming). Contact: Ernie GuorPhone on (691) 350 2110 to go on this Fish Weir Tour.
12. Watch sunset at Sunset Park
A nice end to the day – the sunsets at Sunset Park can be fantastic. And this is the only public beach on the island – so enjoy!
Frequently asked questions about travel to Yap
What is the best time to go to Yap?
Any time of year is good. However there is more wind and chop in the sea from late November to early May, along with less rain and lower humidity. Later May to early November has calmer seas but more rain and humidity.
For superb traditional dancing and ceremonies come in March for the Yap Day celebrations.
How do I get to Yap?
You can fly direct to Colonia (the capital of Yap) from Guam 2x per week on Tues and Sat with United Airlines (in the middle of the night).
Or you can fly from Palau 1x per week with local airline – PMA. Email flypma@gmail.com or phone Yap (691) 350-2360 or Palau (680) 775-2747 to make a reservation.
What language do they speak on Yap?
Yapese is the local language, but English is widely spoken.
What money is used on Yap?
US dollars are used for everyday transactions, and ATM’s are available.
Is there Internet coverage?
Yes but limited and best in your hotel! Buy a local sim when you arrive if you want to have coverage outside your hotel – e-sims for Micronesia are not yet either available or very reliable. Download maps and anything else you want before coming to Yap.
Travel tips for Yap
- 99% of land in Yap, including beaches, is privately owned. So, if you want to travel around the island it is best with a guide. Always ask for permission before entering private land.
- Women should not wear bathing suits except when swimming or diving. Women should wear clothes that cover their thighs to the knees or longer.
- Drive slowly through villages as it is the polite custom.
- Don’t make a lot of noise or walk around at night without a light in the town or villages – it means you are going to cause trouble!
- If you learn these useful words – it will be appreciated:
Sirow – Excuse me
Kammagar – Thank you
Mogethin – Hello
Winig – Please
Where to stay in Yap?
The museum grounds is used often for community activities and events such as the monthly island market.
My absolute favorite – beyond any doubt, kind of place to stay is O’Keefes Waterfront Inn. Old world charm to the max and nothing sterile or boring about it. (PS. This is not sponsored – I just loved it!)
If you want a standard hotel there are a few other options including the popular Manta Ray Bay Resort (perfect for divers as they have a key dive center here), and the more traditionally inspired Oceania Hotel which also has a very good restaurant! Yap Pacific Dive Resort is also popular.
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Visiting Paradise: the 12 best things to do in Aitutaki
Discovering Raro: The 22 best things to do in Rarotonga
A Cook Islands paradise – blissing out in Aitutaki!