Micronesia Trip?

[Rockinmd]

went in Feb and expected big crowds (since high season for northern hemi) but not real busy. except on weekends when you get the Guam folks for 3 days.

for me from US east coast, after that much time and $, dont waste it on guam - go straight to Palau.

for accomodations as stated earlier big price range - depends on what you want. you can find simple clean rooms in town, pretty cheap. we used landmark marina and Carolines. landmark is right next to fish& fins. hotel with restaurant on site (but landfill is right behind them). Carolines has nice little cottages - see their web site.

we dove with Sams - the big operation but still very friendly and personable.

biggest surprise was the restaurants - really cheap food and great quality. try Taj, Bandidos and Elilia (sp? right near cliffside hotel)

for most dive sites the boat ride is actually 35 to 45 min (at least on Sams boats). but you also have the shuttle from hotel to marina in the am also.

also do some kayaking/snorkeling

[Rockinmd]

stayed at manata ray bay hotel - nice place with a bar/restaurant right on site. they really do a nice job of taking care of you. There is also a really small place (O'Keefes ?) right next door to MRBH. only six rooms, like a small new england B&B and you can use MRBH gear lockers, etc.

the big dives, of course are Miil channel to see the mantas. and they are great dives but usually poor viz, but still when those mantas come out of the haze and go right over your head, it will take your breath.

but dont do just that - also get out to the reef where they have some real nice dives - like sunset wall, yap caverns.

and take in Yap day on 3/1