Best time to dive Yap
Mantas are resident year-round, almost guaranteed. In winter (roughly December–April) dozens gather in Mi'l Channel for mating; in summer they shift to Goofnuw/Valley of the Rays.
Peak season: November–April
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov medium · Dec medium · Jan medium · Feb medium · Mar medium · Apr medium · May low · Jun low · Jul low · Aug low · Sep low · Oct low · Nov low · Dec low
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Macro life | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Coral & reef health | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Visibility | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Water temperature | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Weather & sea state | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Operations & access | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
Climate outlook
How this year's forecast differs from a typical year
- Coral & reef health -1.8 · Bleaching risk in the year after a strong El Niño (Palau 1998) (Nov 2026 – December 2027)
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 15–30 m |
| December 2026 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 15–30 m |
| January 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 15–30 m |
| February 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 15–30 m |
| March 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 15–30 m |
| April 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 15–30 m |
| May 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 15–30 m |
| June 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 15–25 m |
| July 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 15–25 m |
| August 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 15–25 m |
| September 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 15–25 m |
| October 2027 | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 15–25 m |
| November 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 15–30 m |
| December 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 15–30 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| reef manta | Peak | Peak | Peak | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | Peak |
| grey reef shark | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| mandarinfish | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Current strength
- 3 / 5
- Luxury level
- 3 / 5
- Typical depth
- 5–30 m
- Max depth of interest
- 40 m
- Dive styles
- Resort, Day boat
- Suggested certification
- Open Water
- Nearest airport
- YAP
- Snorkelling
- Good
- Known for
- reef manta, grey reef shark, mandarinfish
Famous sites: Mi'l Channel · Valley of the Rays · Vertigo · Yap Caverns
Season notes & sources
- Mantas are resident year-round, almost guaranteed. In winter (roughly December–April) dozens gather in Mi'l Channel for mating; in summer they shift to Goofnuw/Valley of the Rays.