Main Channel - Yap
Main Channel in Yap is exactly what it sounds like: a busy thoroughfare. We typically see grey reef sharks cruising through, often in good numbers, along with schools of jacks and barracuda using the current to their advantage. It’s a drift dive, so be comfortable with moving water. This site suits divers who appreciate active shark encounters and don't mind a bit of a ride.
- Location
- Yap, Micronesia, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- 9.489191, 138.131790
- 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)
- Gabach Channel (drift)
- Gapow Reef (reef)
- HAYABUSA MARU NO.2 - 0m (wreck)
- Kurrekurredutt Dropoff (wall)
- Laura Marie Wreck (wreck)
- Lionfish Wall (wall)
- Magic Kingdom - 21m
- Manta Ridge
Nearest Dive Centres to Main 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 Main 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