Throughout 2020 and into this year, both Yap and Palau have managed to remain entirely free of COVID-19, with no confirmed cases. They've achieved this by closing off almost completely to the outside world. In order to reopen again, both islands have committed to vigorous vaccination, and with small populations they've already made great progress.

Yap plans to re-open its borders once 70% of the population has been fully vaccinated. As of early March, 38% of adults had already received their first dose, and 25% their second injection, a stand-out in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Palau has now vaccinated an even slightly higher percentage of residents, and starting April 1 will initiate a travel bubble with Taiwan. That will allow travelers to enjoy these islands "where the rainbow ends" for the first time in over a year.

This progress is great news for our plans to dive both these islands over the holidays, enjoying LGBTQ+ Christmas on Yap at Manta Ray Bay Resort and New Year's Gay Scuba Palau liveaboard.

As vaccinations offer us a way forward to travel again, our upcoming gay & lesbian scuba vacations are filling up quickly! We invite you to plan ahead now for fall and winter travel before everything is booked.

Known for stone money on land and mantas in the ocean, Yap also offers mandarinfish, sharks, cuttlefish, and amazing corals as diving highlights.

Yapese are proud of their traditional culture and love sharing it with us. Chew some betel nut with the locals as you learn about the stone money and they teach us to signal we come in peace as we walk the croton-lined paths between villages. Relax in the Men's House, and meet the chief!

We're here to help with the flights and logistics, and divers continuing on to our New Year's Palau liveaboard receive a complimentary one-day layover on Guam to smooth our journey between remote islands.

Celebrate Christmas in the tropics with a fun group of LGBTQ+ divers this year! Your journey begins by e-mailing us today to let us know you are interested.

December 19-26, 2021: LGBTQ+ Scuba Christmas on Yap

$2495 per diver includes meals, five days of diving, and ocean view rooms