Gabach Channel - Yap
Gabach Channel in Yap is one of those spots where you just settle in and watch the show. We often find ourselves drifting along, keeping an eye out for grey reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections. It’s a pretty easy channel dive, good for divers who enjoy a relaxed drift and consistent shark encounters without too much effort. If you like a predictable current and pelagics, it’s a solid choice.
- Location
- Yap, Micronesia, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- 9.482249, 138.122700
- Type
- drift
Best Time to Dive in Yap
The warmest water temperatures in Yap occur in January, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 29.0°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 29.0°C (air: 27.5°C)
- February: 29.0°C (air: 27.5°C)
- March: 29.0°C (air: 27.5°C)
- April: 29.0°C (air: 27.7°C)
- May: 29.0°C (air: 28.0°C)
- June: 29.0°C (air: 27.6°C)
- July: 29.0°C (air: 27.6°C)
- August: 29.0°C (air: 27.7°C)
- September: 29.0°C (air: 27.9°C)
- October: 29.0°C (air: 27.9°C)
- November: 29.0°C (air: 28.0°C)
- December: 29.0°C (air: 28.0°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Yap
- 1 2
- Big Bend
- Bird Island
- CHIDAI MARU NO 25 - 2m (wreck)
- Choqol Mini Wall - 10-30m (wall)
- CURACO - 10m (wreck)
- Eagle’s Nest - Micronesia - 25m (pinnacle)
- Gapow Reef (reef)
- HAYABUSA MARU NO.2 - 0m (wreck)
- Kurrekurredutt Dropoff (wall)
- Laura Marie Wreck (wreck)
- Lionfish Wall (wall)
- Magic Kingdom - 21m
- Main Channel (drift)
- Manta Ridge
Nearest Dive Centres to Gabach Channel
Marine Life in Yap
Home to 316 recorded species including 253 reef fish, 20 hard corals, 17 sea cucumbers, 13 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 clams & mussels, 3 sharks & rays.
Notable Species
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue Parrotfish (Scarus oviceps) - Reef Fish
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Blunt-head Parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) - Reef Fish
- Blackfin Soldierfish (Myripristis adusta) - Reef Fish
- Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
- Bluefish (Kyphosus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish
- Long-nosed Parrotfish (Hipposcarus longiceps) - Reef Fish
- Sea chub (Kyphosus cinerascens) - Reef Fish
- Threadfin (Chaetodon auriga) - Reef Fish
- Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus) - Sea Cucumbers
- Maori Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) - Reef Fish
- Black-barred Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda) - Reef Fish
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Schlegel's Parrotfish (Scarus schlegeli) - Reef Fish
- Stony coral (Porites cylindrica) - Hard Corals
- Pinkfish (Holothuria edulis) - Sea Cucumbers
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Gabach Channel
Based on average water temperature of 29.0°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories