PALAU ISLANDS

STARTING AT USD 3,150

Palau Islands sits in the westernmost side of a region called the West Caroline Islands, which is part of a larger region called Micronesia. Palau is a rare oasis locked in by the vast Pacific Ocean. it is an isolated archipelago thriving with biodiversity and abundance. Palau’s scenery ranges from soft, white sand beaches, tropical rainforest, jungle trails, to spectacular waterfalls and hidden lakes. There are a multitude of activities to get involved in, from scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, bird-watching to name a few. A diving liveaboard from Palau is the best way to explore the islands.

Palau Islands presents magical blue holes, captivating wartime wrecks, pristine coral reefs, and mysterious caves to explore. 

Best Dive Sites in Palau

Blue corner

This is perhaps the most famous dive site in Palau with steep walls and an abundance of fish life. Expect to see fascinating underwater landscapes, experience full throttle currents, and plenty of pelagic action. Snappers, jacks, and triggerfish schools roam around at this V-shaped plateau pointing out into the Philippine Sea. It is very common to spot oceanic predators like sailfish, hammerheads, dolphins, whales, and reef sharks due to currents conditions.

Blue Hole

A nice and easy dive site. Several holes at 16 feet/5 meters mark the entry point into the cavern which drops to 120 feet/35 meters. The walls of the cavern are filled with sponges, crustaceans, black corals and reef fish. Inside the Blue Hole, divers exiting by the “window” can do a drift dive and find their way to the Blue Corner. It is always important to watch your depth and bottom time inside the cavern.

German Channel

During the German occupation of Palau Islands, German miners dredged a channel that connected the inner lagoon with the open ocean to transport phosphate. The currents going through the channel help get nutrients in, and get waste out, inviting manta rays and large pelagics in from the open ocean. The German channel has plenty to offer, mantas rays, reef sharks, whale sharks, and hammerheads are frequent the area, and the shallow reefs are home to a wide variety of macro life. Due to its remoteness, a diving liveaboard in Palau is the best option to explore this place.

Peleliu Express

Peleliu Express is one of the deepest and most beautiful dive sites in Palau. This dive site is an advanced drift dive site. A large variety of marine life finds shelter in the deep canyons, crevices, and caves that cut into the wall. The vertical walls are covered with corals and sponges attracting colorful butterfly and angel fish, as well as some turtles. It is one of the best spots to interact with countless sharks and dolphins. This place is only accessible from your diving liveaboard from Palau.

Ulong Channel

This breathtaking drift dive is unique to the archipelago. Numerous coral heads and coral formations decorate the sandy bottom of this channel. You are sure to find grey reef sharks, stingrays, snappers, barracuda and other pelagics. This is also one of the region’s best places to search for macro and a prime location for spawning between April and July. Titan triggerfish dig out large grooves in the sandy bottom to lay their eggs due to their extremely territorial and protective nature when nesting on this site.

Chandelier Cave

This site was once an open-air cave but now a chain of cave system made up of five separate, connecting chambers with air pockets. Its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites formed, resembling glittering chandeliers. Salt and freshwater created a halocline inside the cave. Visiting the site just before sunset might be the opportunity to spot some cardinal fish or crabs on sponges. This site may not be favorable for divers who may be claustrophobic.

Siaes Tunnel

This deep underwater cavern offers divers an awesome experience as they dive through a large naturally-lit tunnel. Divers can see black corals, soft corals and invertebrates on the walls and ceilings of the tunnel . There are also white tip reef sharks and stingrays resting on the sandy bottom in the cavern. Currents can get strong here and the use of reef hook and safety marker buoy is mandatory.

Turtle Cove

The vertical reef wall, with plenty of small caves, arches, ledges and reef sharks roaming around, is great for an introductory dive. On the top reef is a mini blue hole that forms a large cavern. The reef extends out to a plateau from and around Ngercheu Island. Different species of nudibranchs and schooling fish patrol the reef.

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