Palau
Pristine Pacific Paradise with World-Class Wall Diving
Palau is a Micronesian archipelago of over 500 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Its waters are part of one of the world's first shark sanctuaries, established in 2009, protecting roughly 600,000 square kilometers of ocean. The diving here is renowned for strong current dives along sheer walls that attract massive schools of pelagic fish, reef sharks, and manta rays. Blue Corner is consistently rated as one of the top dive sites on Earth, where divers hook into the reef to watch the action unfold. Palau also offers exceptional macro diving, pristine coral gardens, and historical WWII wrecks including planes and ships from both American and Japanese forces. Water clarity is typically outstanding, and the protected marine environment ensures healthy, vibrant reef systems.
Top Dive Sites
Blue Corner
15-40mOne of the world's most famous dive sites, Blue Corner is a submerged reef promontory where powerful currents bring in grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, barracuda, and eagle rays. Divers use reef hooks to anchor themselves and enjoy the spectacular pelagic action.
Blue Hole
3-40mFour openings at the surface lead into a large limestone cavern at 30 meters, which opens to a dramatic wall drop-off. The cathedral-like chamber offers stunning light effects and is home to whitetip reef sharks and large sea fans.
German Channel
10-25mAn artificial channel cut through the reef during the German colonial era, now a premier manta ray cleaning station. Divers wait on a sandy bottom as mantas glide overhead to be cleaned by wrasses. Best visited during the incoming tide.
Iro Maru Wreck
20-40mA 143-meter Japanese oil tanker sunk during Operation Desecrate One in 1944. The wreck sits upright and is heavily encrusted with soft corals, sponges, and sea fans. Penetration diving is possible through the engine room and cargo holds.
Ulong Channel
5-30mA thrilling drift dive through a narrow channel carved between coral walls. The current carries divers past grey reef sharks, schooling snappers, and turtles before depositing them on a pristine coral slope.
Featured Marine Species
Grey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
Napoleon Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Bumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatum
Golden Jellyfish
Mastigias papua etpisoni
Mandarin Fish
Synchiropus splendidus
Diving Conditions
Best Season
October to May (dry season)
Water Temperature
27-30°C
Visibility
20-40m
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced
Frequently Asked Questions
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