My Holiday
In March 2012 I flew to Manilla and took a flight to Palau. Formerly a part of the Federated States of Micronesia but since 1994 an independent state and became the Republic of Palau. There I've joined a live-aboard at the Tropic Dancer, a boat from the Dancer fleet. We've toured round the waters of Palau. Palau is famous of his strong currents. It's also the place where the "reef hook" was invented. Altough I've used the reef hook a couple of dives at some famous dive spots. Due to the currents a lot of sharks were spotted. After a week I flew to the island of Yap, which is a part of the Federate States of Micronesia. There I've stayed at the Manta Ray Bay resort. Making daily dives at several spots. Yap is well known for his Manta encounters. One of the few dive destinations where you can have these close encounters almost on a daily basis. While the Manata's making their stop at the cleaning station they can glide over your head with only a few foot between the Manta and the divers head. Awesome!Location Palau
Palau officially the Republic of Pala is an island country in the Philipine sea, located in the western Pacific Ocean. Geographically part of the larger island group of Micronesia, spread out over 250 islands forming the western chain of the Caroline Islands. The islands share maritime boundaries with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Four of the Trust Territory districts formed a single federated Micronesian state in 1979, but the districts of Palau and the Marshall Islands declined to participate. Palau, the westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands, instead opted for independent status in 1978, approved a new constitution and became the Republic of Palau in 1981Location Yap
Yap is an island in the Caroline Islands in the Philipine sea located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is located in Yap State of the Federated States of Micronesia. Geographically part of the larger island group of Micronesia. Yap is 500 miles southwest of Guam, 300 miles northeast of the Republic of Palau, and 800 miles east of the Philippines. It is a part of the region MicronesiaGeography Palau
The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying roughly 500 miles southeast of the Philippines.Geography Yap
Yap Stateis the westernmost state of the Federal State of Micronesia. To the east in order of distance are Chuuk State, Pohnpei State, and Kosrae State.Language Palau
Palauan (also spelled Belauan) is one of the two official languages of the Republic of Palau, the other being English.Language Yap
The Yapese language is related to the Malay languages of Southeast Asia, though with strong New Guinean influences. In contrast, the people of Yap's outer islands are descendants of Polynesian settlers, and as such have significant ethnic dissimilarities from the people of Yap Proper.Climate Palau
Palau has a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). Rainfall is heavy throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone.Climate Yap
The climate in Yap is Tropical - hot and humid. Average year-round temperature is 80º F (27º C), with a 10º F (6º C) variation between night and day. The average water temperature is 81º F (28º C). Annual rainfall is 121 inches (3090 mm). North-east tradewinds blow from November to May, resulting in less rain and lower humidity during these months. Typhoons are uncommon. The ones hitting other areas of the western Pacific during the typhoon season usually pass to the north of Yap Proper.Diving conditio ns Palau
Best time to visit January to april with average temperatures from 26 to 32 C and a water temperature 28 to 29 C all year round. Average visibility 25, to 40m (maximum >60). Water temperature from 25 – 27 C. On my visit it was even 30C.Diving conditions Yap
The best time for diving is between December and April when the mantas are found on the western side of the island at M'il Channel. During the summer months they migrate to the eastern shores. This reliability has put Yap on the beginning of all lists of the world's principal diving attractions.Time difference Palau
+9 hrs GMT
Time difference Yap
+10 hrs GMT
