The Manta Ray Bay Hotel is Yap's premiere resort dedicated to divers, but also great for those who just want to relax and enjoy all that Yap has to offer its visitors.

Not the easiest place in the world to get to from the UK, but if you want really amazing diving, or to stay somewhere where no one else you know has ever been, then this is just the island for you!  The resort is located in a large bay, right in the centre of the south-eastern coast of Yap, and is situated right on the waterfront of the small town of Colonia, just a short drive from the airport.

With just 35 rooms, laid out over 3 floors, the resort is not huge, so you will not be too crowded.  They have Standard, Ocean View and Deluxe Ocean View categories of rooms.  Each room is named after marine life you could encounter on your dives, and is light airy and furnished with beautiful antique Asian and Phillipino wood and rattan furniture.  They are in the process of updating all their Ocean View Rooms, and are doing it room by room, so as not to disturb their guests.  By the end of 2016, half the rooms will be completed, with the rest being scheduled for sometime in 2017.

The Standard Rooms are on the land-side of the building and can vary in size between 275sqft-384sqft, depending on location in the building.  They offer 1 or 2 Queen beds, ensuite bathroom with large vanity area, bath with shower over, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries, air conditioning, ceiling fan, table and casual chairs, IDD telephone, refrigerator (on request), colour TV with DVD player, free Internet access, work desk and chair (most) and views of the Resort gardens, the town and the hillsides behind the resort.  3 of the rooms that are in the new wing, that was built in 2006, have a private balcony, but most have large picture windows.  The Ocean View Rooms are very similar to the Standard rooms, but are located on the ocean side of the building with sea views, some with private balconies.  The Deluxe Ocean View Rooms are larger than the other rooms with some rooms offering unique extra features, such as private terrace with plunge pool in the 2  rooms on the ground floor, private balconies, stone wall showers or roof top jacuzzi.

Dining at the Manta Ray Bay is definitely one of the most unusual experiences of any resort that we know of, anywhere in the South Pacific - you dine on a 100 year old, 170ft/55m Indonesian Phinisi-class South Seas schooner!  With 3 dining decks and 2 bars, the SV Mnuw has to be the most unique in-resort restaurant ever.  Offering a varied menu of salads, burger, sandwiches, pizza, pastas, steaks and grill favourites, plus a selection of desserts and ice cream, you are guaranteed to find something to tempt your taste buds, and all with an amazing sea views.  The Crow's Nest Bar is on the top deck, and is a great spot to enjoy your favourite beverage and a gorgeous sunset.  They also have a giant movie screen, which show diving videos or blockbuster movies on movie night.

Another unique feature of the Manta Ray Bay Hotel is they have their own private microbrewery, producing over 600L of Hammerhead Amber (dark lager) and Manta Gold (light lager) under the watchful eye of a Swiss brewmeister

Diving is obviously one of the most popular activities in the Resort, and they have their own PADI 5* Dive shop on site, to organise and operate daily diving trips to the best spots on the local reefs. They have a fleet of 8 modern, twin-engined dive boats ranging from 21-38ft, and can offer private charters or fun group trips. Each boat is a full service boat, with a full complement of safety and emergency kit, should it be required.  The boat skippers know all the best spots to get the most from your dives, and with only around 1,000 divers visiting Yap a year, you are never overrun with lots of dive boats in the same location.  Yap is famous for its Manta Rays and sharks, virtually year round, as well as many colourful reef dwellers and other marine life to see.  Manta Ray mating is usually from December through til April, when the most spectaular mating dances can be seen, and many species of shark, such as reef sharks, are there all the time.

During August and September, MantaFest takes place, where photography workshops are held with local and international underwater photography specialists, with competitions, special theme dives and expert tuition and photo editing after the shoot.

But if you don't dive, don't think there is nothing else to do in Yap.  There is amazing snorkelling, fishing, guided kayak tours through the mangroves, beautiful beaches and interesting island tours, specifically designed to showcase Yap's unique indigenous culture. And if you want to relax, the Taro Leaf Spa, which only opened in 2009, offers a selection of soothing massages and beauty and body treatments.  They use a range of locally produced oils and fragranced products, and includes Almeria, a unique, individual stone bath, which is carved from 1 solid rock and polished to a glass finish.

Designed by divers for divers, the Manta Ray Bay Hotel is a divers paradise, but also a great place for non divers too.  If you really want somewhere off the beaten track, but with all mod cons, then Yap, and the Manta Ray Bay could be just the place.

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website