Yap is the most resistant of the islands in Micronesia to adapt western ways. In addition, Yap has their own distinctive culture from the rest of the Micronesian islands. Families live in big, spread-out units. In Yap, the lineage is patrilineal so the head of the clan is the father. This varies from the rest of the Mircronesian islands where the lineage is traced through the mother.

Traditional dancing is very valued in Yap. It is passed down between generations. In this dance, men and women dance in a series of shakes and vibrations in separate groups; at the same time, they chant in unison.

There is also a distinct diet in Yap, where yams are very popular as well as many seafood dishes.

Historically, in Yap, the locals traded rai, instead of the shells that other clans traded on other islands. Rai were large 12 ft pieces of carved stone which sometimes weighed as much as 5 tons.  These stones were carved into round discs with holes in the center. It is difficult to imagine how these must have been traded in actually.