Goofnuw Channel (Valley of the Rays)
Goofnuw Channel
A manta ray cleaning station on the east side of Yap; manta rays gather in the mornings from summer to autumn, and the huge lettuce coral Merry-Go-Round is the signature dive site.
Goofnuw Channel lies on the east side of Gagil-Tomil Island. Where the channel opens up it forms the Valley of the Rays, with three cleaning stations. The largest, Merry-Go-Round, is a huge lettuce coral rising from 20 m below the sea. From summer to autumn, manta rays enter here on the rising tide in the morning to be cleaned. This complements Miil Channel in alternate seasons, so manta rays can be seen almost year-round in Yap. It is about 30 minutes by dive boat from Colonia. You need an Open Water diving certificate, and some dive shops also arrange snorkeling here.
Opening hours
Depends on dive boat schedule
Nearby sights
- Gachpar Stone Money Bank
- Bechiyal Cultural Center
- Mi'l Channel (Manta Ridge)
- Colonia
- Yap Living History Museum
- Okau Stone Path
- Yorlap Men's House, Gal Village
- WWII Japanese Aircraft Wrecks