Palau Diving

Guam Date-Time:
 

PALAU, MICRONESIA

PALAU is a truly stunning diving and eco-tour destination and lies about 2 hours southwest of Guam and two hours south east of Manila. Sharks, barracuda and large fish are seen on almost every dive as well as turtles, giant clams and lovely coral formations. Plus don't forget the world famous Rock Island eco-system. The variety of diving is almost endless. Walls, caves, tunnels, drift dives, open ocean dives the list just keeps going! The Palau Visitors Authority website is a "must vist" for anyone wanting more information on Palau.

Got a question? Check out the Travel fAQ section to get answers to a lot of your questions.

 

DIVE & TOUR OPERATORS WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND

Sam's Tours is one of the largest dive operations on Palau and has been instrumental in setting new standards of diving in the island.  Sam's offers many different options on diving depending upon your length of stay. The waterside PADI 5-Star IDC Center is convenientlylocated very near Chandelier Caves, and offers a wide range of activities. Among these are Planet Blue Kayaking (you gotta do this) that offers incredible rock island trips, and Sam's has the only fully equipped 41' Bertram ocean fishing charter services in Palau

 

Fish N Fins   Tova and Navot Bornovski, owners and operators of Fish ‘n Fins, and Ocean Hunter liveaboards would love to welcome you to Palau. Fish N FIns will broaden your knowledge of Palau, show you the best dive locations for diving and snorkeling, lazy relaxing kayaking tours that will take you to explore the Rock Islands while their international, professional and friendly staff will be there to assist you and looking after you while you are in Palau.

Fish N Fins offers kayaking, diving, land tours, PADI Specialty Courses and more.

 

   Go here for Package Prices

 

PALAU HOTELS

 West Plaza Hotels. The hotels are used with the majority of the pkgs. and are very popular, convenient and an excellent deal. All of these hotels are great for travelers...clean, comfortable, air conditioned, affordable, and close to many different areas in Koror.

 

Cliffside Hotel  is located farther out from the main town of Koror. It is positioned higher up on the cliff line with an awesome view of the famous Rock Islands. The rooms are very large and they have a pool, restaurant and salon on site. Their rooms are very comfortable for singles, couples, or entire families. They have 2 Executive Suites with 2 bedrooms per suite as well as a kitchenette and living area which makes them ideal for a family group. There is a comfortable cocktail lounge, a full service restaurant and a pool with poo bar & hot tub for you to enjoy.  They even include a free breakfast each morning of your stay.

If you prefer a 5-Star resort hotel, the Palau Pacific Resort is it! The resort has a beautiful white sandbeach, huge pool, tennis courts, hiking trails as well as all of the amenities typical of a luxury resort.  Sam's Dive Tours, Neco and Fish 'n Fins will pick you up at the dock.

The Caroline's is a unique resort located in the vicinity of the Palau Pacific Resort and is built on a hillside with Palauan-style high peaked rooms. A spectacular view of the lagoon awaits you from your own private front porch. Airport transfers are included. Staying at the Caroline's entitles you to a complimentary pass for use on the Palau Pacific Resort grounds. Most customers use Sam's Dive Tours when staying at the the Cliffside Hotel or The Caroline's but pickup can also be arranged with Fish 'n Fins.

The new Palasia Hotel Palau (ex Palau Outrigger Hotel) is a very new addition to the resorts on island. Located right in the heart of Koror, this hotel is within easy walking distance of a variety of restaurants and local shops and they offer a great view of the Rock Islands and Palau's outer reef. The hotel has a swimming pool, health spa & fitness center, meeting rooms, a number of restaurants and lounges, Duty Free Shop, Gift Shop, Photo Shop, tour desk and Beauty Shop. Various room styles and locations are available based upon your preference.

   Go here for Package Prices

ANOTHER GREAT OPTION......Peleliu is on the southern tip of Palau and is minutes away from the really great divesites. Located on Peleliu is a hotel that recently opened up that is a delight to stay in. However, if you like night life FORGET IT. It's right on the beach, has natural-style bungalows cooled by ceiling fans and great food. Your only worries are determining what color the sunset will be each evening and which book to take along!

The Dolphin Bay Resort has 4 bungalows right on the beach, each wirth air conditioning. This resort is exclusively owned by Peleliu Divers, and if you want a totally "laid back" atmosphere, this is perfect for you.

Diving with Peleliu Divers is $95.00 per diver per day including lunch, 2 tanks and weights, boat and guide. The GREAT ADVANTAGE of diving with Peleliu Divers is that you can be out diving the Blue Corner, Blue Holes, and the Peleliu tip before all the other dive boats leave Koror for an hour boat ride south! This means you literally have the Blue Corner to yourselves. They also will not take more than 8 divers out on one boat! This is also a standard policy with Fish 'n Fins and Sam's Tours.

PALAU TIPS

-Visa not required. 180 days (6 months) valid after intended stay.  There is a departure tax which requiires cash. cuirrently $20.

-Palau requires all persons in water activities to obtain a permit. The required Koror State/Jellyfish Lake Government Permit & Peleliu State Government Permit. Permits are $55 each person, and are valid for 10 days and may be purchased at Sam's Tours and Fish N Fins. Cash only for permits. This ratemight change.

 

From our Guam Divers Forum

1. The Red Rooster cafe is next to the West Plaza Hotel, and is very nice. The food was reasonably priced and the service was great. We had pizza, pasta and even the steak. Per cup, coffee is $2.50.  Sams has a great little restaurant and bar also right at the dock.

2. Since Coffee is $2.50 a cup, next time we will bring a french press and our own. Most normal people will probably be fine with instant.

3. Bring snacks! We brought granola bars, rice krispie treats, fruit roll ups, peanuts and lots of other easy to pack and eat treats. These are great for on the boat, and very nice to share with the boat crew.

4. We didn't know what to do about tipping the staff, so we gave the divemasters cash each day, and gave the divemaster that took care of our kids a little more. They were very appreciative.

5. Don't forget to bring your own coffee.

6. Kramers Bistro is just down the street from the WP Malakal. They have EXCELLENT burgers and yummy garlic fries.

7. Don't leave Guam without a trip to Palau. Figure out some way to afford it. The flight is 1 hr and 40 min, the scenery is unbelievable, and the diving is absolutely stunning. Just don't forget to bring your own coffee!!!

(webmasters note: this is obvioulsy written by a coffee nut!)

8. When going on a dive trip take a rain jacket!! The boats on the other islands are not like the MDA Boats. So bringing along a rain jacket and dry bag will help. Also take a fold up umbrella. At some of the resorts you walk between the buildings and a umbrella is sometimes a nice thing to have.

9. Bring your beach towel, sunscreen and a hat. If you are a burner, pack the ALOE!

---When going on a dive trip take a rain jacket!! The boats on the other islands are not like the MDA Boats. So bringing along a rain jacket and dry bag will help.