Explore Southwest Outer Reef

Nestled in the southwest corner of Yap, the Southwest Outer Reef offers a diving experience like no other. This part of Yap is renowned for its unique aquatic terrain, boasting an underwater playground of caverns, tunnels, swim-throughs, and overhangs. Divers can explore stunning sites such as Cherry Blossom Wall, Magic Kingdom, and the famous Yap Caverns. The dramatic landscapes of these reefs provide endless opportunities for discovery and adventure. Marine life in this region is vibrant and diverse, with encounters ranging from colorful reef fish to majestic rays gliding gracefully through the water. The reefs are teeming with life, providing ample opportunities for underwater photography and observation. Whether you prefer shore dives or boat dives, the variety of dive environments here ensures there's something for everyone. Diving in the Southwest Outer Reef is not just about the underwater topography; it's about the thrill of discovering a hidden world beneath the waves. With seasonal variations bringing different marine visitors, every dive promises something new and exciting, making it a must-visit for any passionate diver.

Dive Activity

Diving in Southwest Outer Reef

Southwest Outer Reef offers a spectacular array of dive sites, renowned for its balance of shore and liveaboard diving options. Among the top sites is the enchanting "Coral Garden," known for its vibrant corals and welcoming night dives that reveal the nocturnal behaviors of the reef's marine life. Another must-see is the "Shipwreck Alley," where divers can explore historic wrecks teeming with colorful fish and intriguing underwater ecosystems.

For those interested in shore dives, the "Lagoon Edge" provides easy access and gentle conditions, perfect for beginners and seasoned divers alike. Here, you can encounter a diverse range of species, including curious sea turtles and playful dolphins. Whether you're diving from the shore or embarking on a liveaboard adventure, Southwest Outer Reef promises unforgettable underwater experiences for every level of diver.

Dive Sites

Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers, 96943 Yap
Cabbage Patch - Micronesia <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Cabbage Patch - Micronesia (★4.4)

Cabbage Patch is named after a bank of brilliant yellow lettuce coral set in a sloping wall along the southern reef. divers can expect clear water, a variety of hard coral, schools of fish, sightings of eagle rays hanging in the current, reef sharks, anemones and macro life.
Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers, 96943 Yap
Yap Caverns <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

Yap Caverns (★4.7)

The southern most tip of the island offers divers the most diversity of life and interesting topography where divers swim through the reef with life big and small. Yap Caverns amphitheater is one of Yap’s best environments for macro subjects at every depth.
Mares
Magic Kingdom <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

Magic Kingdom (★4.1)

Magic Kingdom is one of the richest environments along the southern walls. the topography is unique with a plateau of coral blommies to an infinite hard coral sloping wall. Rock overhangs and crevices harbor resting turtles, nice macro subjects and reef fish being cleaned.
Aqualung
Stop Sign <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★5.0)</span>

Stop Sign (★5.0)

South side of the island where the currents bring in the pelagics. Sloping coral from about 20ft/7m to several hundred feet/m. Plate, table, boulder, and finger corals everywhere.

The best Months to dive in Southwest Outer Reef

Southwest Outer Reef offers year-round diving opportunities with relatively stable conditions. Water temperatures range from 22°C–28°C/72°F–82°F throughout the year, providing comfortable diving experiences. Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, making it ideal for observing diverse marine life. The weather remains generally favorable, but divers should note that the region can experience stronger currents during the fall months, which may affect dive plans. While diving is possible all year, the late summer to early autumn period might pose challenges due to increased wind activity. Planning is essential to ensure safe and enjoyable dives, especially during these less favorable months.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Southwest Outer Reef

The Southwest Outer Reef is a vibrant marine ecosystem teeming with a diverse array of marine life. Divers can expect to encounter common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish year-round. These colorful species glide through the coral gardens, providing a stunning underwater spectacle.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of larger marine creatures like sharks, turtles, and rays. During the warmer months, particularly between May and September, divers have a higher chance of spotting reef sharks and graceful manta rays. Green and hawksbill turtles are also frequently seen throughout the year, with increased activity during their nesting season from June to November. The likelihood of encountering these species varies, with the outer sections of the reef being particularly fruitful for spotting larger marine life.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
15 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
7
O
1
N
2
D
1
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
13 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
1
S
3
O
2
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
12 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
1
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
2
O
0
N
1
D
2
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
3 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin
2 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-stephnea
Spinner Dolphin

Spinner Dolphin
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy-National Geographic Creative
Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback Turtle
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
24 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
4
J
0
A
3
S
8
O
1
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
24 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
4
J
0
A
2
S
8
O
1
N
2
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
23 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
4
J
0
A
3
S
8
O
0
N
2
D
2
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
20 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
3
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
6
O
4
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
18 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
3
J
0
A
1
S
9
O
0
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
16 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
3
J
0
A
1
S
6
O
0
N
2
D
1
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
15 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
4
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
14 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
3
J
0
A
1
S
5
O
0
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
13 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
3
O
1
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
13 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
1
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
1
N
1
D
2
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
13 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
2
O
3
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
12 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
1
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
6
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
0
A
1
S
4
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
10 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
1
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
10 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
3
O
2
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
0
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
9 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
2
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
8 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
5
O
0
N
0
D
0
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Leaf Scorpionfish

Leaf Scorpionfish
8 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
5
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish

Garfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock-bearacreative
Emperor

Emperor
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Stonefish

Stonefish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna

Tuna
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach
Pipefish

Pipefish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
Cornetfish

Cornetfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
1
AdobeStock_cherylvb
Garibaldi Damselfish

Garibaldi Damselfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
2 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

iStock-stock_colors
Tarpon

Tarpon
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0
iStock-FionaAyerst
Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-Nigel Marsh
Wobbegong

Wobbegong
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Shutterstock-Lewis Burnett
Guitarfish

Guitarfish
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Andrea Izzotti
Striped Dolphin

Striped Dolphin
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0