MICRONESIA FSM – Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap on remote Yap Island is a luxury place to stay

Yap is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia and is served only twice a week with a flight from Guam or Palau. After my business trip to Singapore I had the luxury to visit several islands in the pacific region including Yap. Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap was my home for three nights. I regret I didn’t have a dive-license yet as Yap is THE place to dive! I however did enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and the land tour with its unique stone money and WWII relics. I did swim with sharks (see the movie)! Manta Ray Resort Yap is a great place to relax and I’ll show what to expect in this hotel review. Lets start with a short video impression.

The hotel

Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap is in Colonia, the capital of Yap State. It’s just a 10-minute drive from the airport, but you can tour the whole island in less than an hour so nothing is far. Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap offers a free shuttle to and from the airport which is very convenient. Flights to Yap arrive after sunset so I couldn’t see much of the surroundings till next day when I saw the old ship in front of the hotel. It’s their restaurant and hangout place.

The building is located along the bay and has two floors with rooms and a dive shop next door. Yap Divers is the place to arrange dive tours, snorkeling and kayaking. The hotel staff is very friendly, knowledgeable, and always greeted me by name. Internet on a remote island like Yap is slow, but it was available. There are plans to connect the island with viber optics so speeds will increase soon. Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap offers everything you might expect from a remote luxury resort!

The rooms at Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap

The air-conditioning at Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap works perfect! I cannot sleep when it’s too hot so my room was nice and cool at about 19 degrees Celsius. Their beds are comfortable with just a thin sheet which was perfect for a good rest after a long day of snorkeling and kayaking. The rooms are painted in pastel colors and have red and wood decorations. Tiles on the floor are perfect for me as I don’t like carpets. The bathroom has all the amenities one would need and are replenished daily.

Wi-Fi in the room needs a separate router which can be rented for a fee but is refunded when you return the router. Wi-Fi is reliable but not fast but that’s a problem of Yap Island, not the hotel. I didn’t spend much time in my room except late evening when internet was the fastest and I really needed to do some work. The rooms at Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap are spacious and very comfortable: good for a short or long stay. I’m sure you will enjoy them as I did.

Facilities at Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap

Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap has several facilities including the regular facilities like laundry, business services and others. Their infinity pool overlooks the bay surrounding Colonia and is a great place to relax and enjoy the sunshine of Yap. Beaches are a bit rare on Yap but the hotel has access to a beach at the north side of the island and a free shuttle is offered to get there. If you’re tired then the spa is the place to go. I did an hour massage treatment before my evening flight which really made me relax.

The most important facility is of course the dive center: Yap Divers. They arrange dives to all the dive sites Yap is famous for. Kayaking tours, snorkeling and land tours are also offered. Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap is a hotel that offers the complete package and it’s affordable! I told them what I wanted, they understood and arranged everything in an efficient way.

Dining & Drinking at Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap

The old boat in front of the hotel serves as restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m always a bit afraid on remote islands that prices are high but at the Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap food is very affordable. Breakfast is served a-la-carte and for me it’s just two eggs sunny side up with toast and fresh juice. Lunch and dinner: I got addicted to their tuna poke; it’s the best in the world! The last two days I had nothing else as tuna poke, healthy and delicious.

A big surprise was that Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap brews its own beer! I love craft beer and they are the only brewery in the Federated States of Micronesia. The staff is always in for a chat and the atmosphere on the boat is very relaxed like one big family. I had a great time with other guests and the staff which made the stay at Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap memorable. Oh, I now try to make that tuna poke at home; I’m getting good at that!

Conclusion

If you visit Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia for a long diving holiday or just a few days while hopping the islands in the Pacific I recommend staying at the Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap. The hotel offers luxury at the remote Yap Island at affordable prices. Dive tours, kayaking, snorkeling and land tours are offered by the hotel itself or Yap Divers.

Their rooms are spacious and comfortable and the hotel offers all the amenities you might require. The restaurant serves delicious food of which the tuna poke is so good that you will get addicted to it. To my surprise, they had their own craft beer brewery which, for me personal, was a great plus too. I had a great time on Yap Island thanks to the Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap which arranged all the tours so that I could make the most out of my three days. I hope to return one day when I have my dive license. I’m sure you will enjoy your stay at the Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap as much as I did.

If you would like to know what you can do in and around Yap (Micronesia) then see one of these options: Yap activities including Kayaking and read all about my 14 days island hopping in the Pacific. I will add more destination information over time.

For more hotel information and booking options please visit the website of Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap or subscribe to the Facebook page of Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap to be updated with news.

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Gallery of Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap

Note: the underwater photos and photo of two women in traditional dress are copyright by Manta Ray Bay Resort Yap and used with permission.

** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight or experience. I’m not affiliated with the hotel, airline or tour operator but I might be (partially) sponsored – or paid. **