Port Guide | Micronesia | Dive Deep

Colonia

Isabella Moreno | Editor

Published on 2025-03-13

Congratulations-you've just landed in Colonia, capital of Yap, a blissfully sleepy Micronesian gem famous worldwide for having the largest coins you'll never fit in your pocket. Seriously, Yapese stone money-massive limestone disks that once bought canoe-loads of coconut and fish-still dot the villages, an irresistible reminder that value is deeply subjective, and (thankfully) your bar tab won't require heavy lifting. Before you wander off in search of an ATM (pro tip: plastic is about as useful here as your snow boots), take a breath, soak in the lush greenery, and switch your internal clock to "island time." Yap rewards patient adventurers looking beyond tiki cliches: paddle into pristine lagoons for snorkeling close-ups with curious manta rays, get respectfully schooled on traditional culture by locals who haven't watered it down for tourists, or simply wander into town for a strong coffee and friendly gossip at corner shops. Whatever you choose these next few days, embrace the island's unhurried rhythms, spend a few crisp bills with a smile, and savor the quirky charm of this Pacific stopover.