Discover paradise in Palau,
where nature's wonders come to life.
Where is Palau?
The Republic of Palau is a small archipelago nation in the Western Pacific, known for its unspoiled natural beauty and crystal-clear waters teeming with diverse marine life. It is located southeast of the Philippines and situated in the Micronesia region, which encompasses thousands of small islands spread across the western Pacific Ocean. Palau consists of over 200 islands, of which only nine are inhabited. The country's pristine waters are renowned for their exceptional visibility, making it a paradise for divers and snorkelers alike. Palau is also home to a vast array of coral reefs, some of which are believed to be thousands of years old, and offer a unique ecosystem that supports an abundance of marine flora and fauna. Due to its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, Palau has become a famous destination for eco-tourists who want to experience the beauty of nature while also preserving it for future generations.
How do I get there?
Despite its remote location, Palau is easily accessible by air, with regular flights to and from Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
Why is Palau on so many people's bucket lists?
Palau has become a sought-after destination for divers owing to the rich diversity of its marine life, which boasts more than 1,300 species of fish, 700 types of coral, and a myriad of other sea creatures. Another significant draw is the UNESCO World Heritage Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, consisting of more than 400 limestone islands and islets surrounded by pristine water, imbued with a tranquil sense of serenity.
With its unyielding dedication to conservation, Palau has reserved over 30% of its waters as a marine sanctuary and was the first Shark Sanctuary to be established in the world in 2009.
These measures mean that divers can expect to dive into the world's richest and most pristine marine ecosystems.
Palau is a diver's paradise with unique and breathtaking dive sites such as the Blue Hole, Jellyfish Lake, and German Channel. Experience the thrill of diving alongside pelagic giants like sharks and mantas, as well as exploring coral gardens and caverns. With Pearl Fleet's M/Y Black Pearl liveaboard, indulge in luxury accommodations and personalized service while diving some of the world's most pristine waters.
Book your Palau dive vacation with Pearl Fleet today and discover the ultimate scuba diving adventure.
Experience the Best of Palau's Wonders in M/Y Black Pearl's Itineraries
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Best of Palau
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Palau Bumphead Spawning
(New Moon)
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Palau Snapper Spawning
(Full Moon)
Dive into a world of wonders in Palau - Micronesia's jewel in the Pacific!
Palau in Micronesia is a unique dive destination that offers crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and underwater landscapes including WWII wrecks and underwater caves. Its protected waters contain over 1,300 species of fish, and rare megafauna such as manta rays, sharks, and dugongs. Palau also has unique features like Jellyfish Lake, where visitors can swim with harmless jellyfish.
Hear What Our Guests Are Saying About Us
Experience the ultimate escape and dive into the beauty of Palau with M/Y Black Pearl.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Palau is a tropical destination, which enjoys a steady warm climate all year round. Air temperature can range from 24–32℃ / 75–89℉. Dry season in Palau runs from November to April, and July to October are deemed as wetter months. However, typhoons with straight days of rain, are rare due to Palau’s location near to the Equator.
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The currency used in Palau is the United States Dollar.
Major credit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard, are accepted in all major hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as in the airport. However, it's always a good idea to check with your bank or credit card company to make sure your card will work in Palau, and to inform them of your travel plans to avoid any issues with your card being blocked for suspected fraud.
It's also a good idea to have some cash on hand for small purchases or to use at local markets and shops, especially if you plan to venture outside of the resort areas.
American Express credit cards are NOT accepted in Palau.
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The peak season when Palau has seen the most number of tourist arrivals are from December to January.
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Palau has two main languages: Palauan and English. As a tourist, there will be no problems communicating in English.
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A 30-day Tourist Visa will be issued upon arrival in Palau and may be extended within 7 days in advance with approval of the Chief of Immigration for a fee of US$50.00 before expiration date of the visa. (Note: Maximum of 90 days: 30 days upon arrival plus 2 extensions at US$50.00 fee per extension. After which visitors must exit the country).
Citizens of the United States of America, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam, and the CommonWealth of Northern Marianas Islands with valid passports are issued 1 year Visa upon arrival.
Citizens of Myanmar and Bangladesh must have a pre-approved visa.
It's important to note that visa requirements can change, so it's always a good idea to check the latest information with Palau’s Bureau of Immigration at (680) 488 2498 or (680) 488 2678, Mondays to Fridays, from 7:30 am–4:30 pm or e-mail inquiries to imm@palaunet.com.
Visitors are required to hold a proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID19.
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Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date you intend to leave Palau. Your passport must also be in good condition, with at least 3 blank pages.
Visitors are required to verify their relevant embassies to check if a visa is required prior to leaving their country of travel origin.
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Yes, group discounts are available, depending on total group size. For more details, you may contact our Bookings & Reservations Team at info@pearlfleet.org.
How are check-in and check-out organized?
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All the instructions regarding your arrival on the check-in day will be provided 14 days or immediately upon booking if you book less than 14 days before your cruise date. Embarkation on M/Y Black Pearl will be organized starting 3:00 PM (local time) on the first day of the cruise. Guests are advised to strictly note the information that will be provided regarding the meeting point and exact time for pick-up.
The usual meeting points are organized as follows:
Airport: Guests arriving at the required airport on the check-in day can be picked up by a representative holding a sign of M/Y Black Pearl. The meeting point is usually at the main exit, immediately after luggage collection. Airport transfers are US$25 per person per way and US$50 per person round-trip. Airport transfers must be confirmed at least a day in advance.
Hotel or Resort: Guests who are coming from a hotel in Koror can be picked up by a representative of M/Y Black Pearl at no charge. The meeting is usually in the main lobby or at the reception of the hotel.
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On the last day of the cruise, guests will be transferred to the airport at least 2 hours before the time of departure of their flights. Check-out and disembarkation will be organized from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM (local time) on the last day.
Airport to M/Y Black Pearl transfers cost US$25 per person per way, or US$50 per person round-trip.
M/Y Black Pearl offers complimentary transfers from M/Y Black Pearl to hotels in Koror only. If your hotel is located beyond Koror, kindly arrange your own pick-up from Malakal Port.
What do I need to pack before leaving my country of travel origin?
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Passport
Dive certification cards including Nitrox certification card, if any
Dive log books
Dive insurance card or confirmation slip
Medical clearance from your physician (if any)—especially if you are taking a dive course
Insurance card or policy paper including ways to contact your insurer in case of emergencies
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Personal medication, ear drops, reef-friendly sunscreen, hats, sun glasses, phone and camera chargers, memory sticks or SD cards, cash for tips and extra costs (USD).
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BCD, regulator, fins/booties, mask, snorkel, wetsuit,
Dive computer*–check the battery level and bring spare batteries (it will be impossible to buy them in Palau)
SMB (safety marker buoy)*
Hood
Reef hook
Torch with batteries (it will be impossible to buy them in Palau)
*Dive computers and SMBs are compulsory for every individual diver in Palau.
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Any piece of equipment listed above is available for rent onboard. It would be necessary to let us know in advance, should you need to rent items from the yacht—especially for very small or very large sizes.
Rental gear is subject to availability and extra costs. Please refer to our detailed Price List here.
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Full-board accommodation with 3 meals for every full day onboard
Free drinking water, coffee, tea, except specialty coffee
Two-way transfers strictly between hotel and Malakal Port only
Up to 3 to 4 guided dives a day
12-liter diving tanks, weights and weight belts
Complimentary Nitrox-filled diving tanks
Palau Goods & Services Tax (PGST)
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Fuel surcharges* (to be paid on board in cash)
Marine Park Fees and Taxes - $250 per person (to be paid on board in cash)
Transfers between Koror (ROR) Airport and M/Y Black Pearl for arrival and departure - $25/per person/way
Domestic and International flights
Pre- or post-cruise accommodation
Spa treatments
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
15-liter tank rentals and other dive gear rentals
Internet - can be purchased on board
Diving insurance - can be purchased on board
Crew gratuities
*At the time of writing, fuel surcharge is $20/person/day x duration of itinerary, to be paid onboard at the end of the trip.
Please refer to our detailed Price List here.
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At Pearl Fleet, we strive to provide our guests with a seamless and enjoyable cruise experience. If you have any specific dietary needs or allergies, please inform us when making your reservation. Our dedicated chefs are eager to accommodate your requests whenever feasible. It's important to note that being situated on a remote island like Palau may limit the availability of certain foods and ingredients. Therefore, if you have highly restrictive dietary requirements or require a particular ingredient, kindly bring it along with you at your own expense.
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Guests will receive a final invoice listing their extra costs on the final night before disembarkation. Invoices are payable:
By Cash:
We accept American Dollars (USD).
Via Credit Cards:
We accept the following major credit cards:
VISA
Mastercard
Union Pay
Discover
Please note that American Express is NOT accepted in Palau.
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International sockets that can fit any type of electric plug are available onboard. Voltage is 220V.
The camera station also provides a variety of sockets and USB ports that should cater to your batteries and charging systems.
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There may be limited or no access to mobile networks once the yacht sails into a remote area or open sea. However, M/Y Black Pearl offers SIM card services for you to purchase and use during the cruise.
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The team at Pearl Fleet works hard to ensure your maximum comfort and enjoyment during the cruise. It is a common practice to offer a small gratuity at the end of your trip. As a guide, it is customary to offer gratuities of about 10-15% of the cost of your cruise, for a week-long cruise. All the gratuities collected will be equally shared among the crew. Gratuities must be given in cash.
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The price of the cruise does not include any type of insurance coverage. However, diving insurance is compulsory for all divers diving from M/Y Black Pearl. Your travel insurance may cover diving activities and related incidents. It is your responsibility to check if you are duly covered and under the necessary coverage (maximum depth, recompression chamber fees, etc.) for you to cruise with us. Please bring your diving insurance card and/or confirmation details with you onboard.
Guests may also purchase short-term diving insurance onboard to cover the duration of the cruise. This additional service is chargeable. Please refer to our detailed Price List here.
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Most guests will arrive in Palau after a long journey or flight from their country of travel origin. On M/Y Black Pearl, the check-in day is dedicated to welcoming all guests and making them comfortable onboard in order to kickstart a memorable cruise. Thus, no diving activities are organized on the first day.
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We recommend all divers to have a minimum 50 logged dives, with a minimum certification level of Advanced Open Water.
If you have less than the above minimum recommendations stated above, please reach out to us. There are three options for you:
We can arrange for a private dive guide for you, if a request is made a minimum of one month before departure. This extra service is at additional cost and subject to availability.
You can get certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver onboard.
You can do more dives to prepare yourself for the trip.
We recommend a skills review if guests with a limited number of logged dives have not been diving for more than 6 months. The skills review should be completed prior to arrival. Evidence of the date of your last dive should be shown in your log book and indicated at the time of the booking. Every diver, regardless of their qualification or experience, will be required to participate in a check-dive.
Cruise directors may ask you to skip a dive if your ability does not fit with the dive conditions. Full moon trips have some dives such as the spawning of the Red snapper that require a certain experience.
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Yes, 15-liter tanks are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. They can also be pre-booked. They are subject to extra cost, payable onboard. Please refer to our detailed Price List here.
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Yes, Enriched Air Nitrox is available onboard. Nitrox is available free-of-charge for Enriched Air Nitrox certified divers. Nitrox course is also available onboard.
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All our tanks are universal, fitting DIN and Yoke regulators.
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Non-divers are welcome onboard M/Y Black Pearl! They can enjoy onboard facilities such as the board games, kayaks and stand up paddle boards (SUPs) or just spend time relaxing on our beautiful sundeck.
Non-divers can snorkel when the area around the dive site is suitable while under the supervision of a snorkel guide, as required by Palau’s laws. We can arrange a snorkel guide if the request is made a minimum of one month before departure, subject to additional charges.
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Yes, M/Y Black Pearl is equipped with a camera station with a decent space and a variety of plugs and USB ports that should be useful to any underwater photographer or videographer. We also provide multiple rinsing tanks next to the diving preparation area.
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On the day before departure, we plan for 2 dives in the morning. Finishing around 12 noon. This gives you the whole afternoon to dry your equipment.
