Liveaboard Diving in Palau

What To Expect On A Palau Liveaboard

Liveaboard diving in Palau must surely be at the top of most divers 'must dive' list and so it should be!! The Republic of Palau is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean in Micronesia with a population of 21,000. The capital of Palau is Ngerulmund located on the island of Babeldaob, however, the largest city is Koror with two-thirds of Palau's population living there and where most of the tourism goes to. Palau is made up of 250 islands and some of these make up the western chain of the Caroline islands of Micronesia. Palau liveaboards will visit some spectacular sites where the marine life is astounding. From the famous Blue Corner to the wrecks at Peleliu, Micronesia liveaboards can offer an itinerary to suit.

The first settlers to Palau were from the Philippines and arrived over 3000 years ago, but 900 years ago the Europeans started exploring the area and from then until now, multiple nations have had power over Palau. In 1947 it became part of the US governed Trust Territory of Pacific Islands and it gained sovereignty in 1994. This also means that they use the US dollar as currency. The population is a mix of Japanese, Micronesian and Melanesian and speak mainly Palauan and English. The islands are mostly volcanic and limestone rock islands and the overall area is 465 kilometres squared (179 miles squared). One of the most famous parts of Palau are the Rock islands, a unique phenomenon of forest-covered, limestone islands clustered together within 35km (20mi) creating a spectacular area for diving and exploration.

Palau Underwater

Liveaboards in Palau have so much to offer divers when it comes to dive sites and marine life, most likely whatever you are hoping to find, you will find here. Many dive sites in Palau visited by liveaboards have flourishing reefs inhabited by large schools of colourful fish, living around the jungles of corals, sea fans and sponges. Some of the larger species include green turtles, hawksbill turtles, quite a few species of sharks including grey reef, white tip and leopard sharks, there are also Wahoos, Napoleon Wrasse and the elusive Mandarin fish. There are also multiple wreck sites with sunken ships and many other World War II artefacts.

Dive Sites Of Palau

Palau has many unique dive sites at which you can see a high abundance of different marine life. In general, this area will provide divers with thriving reefs, drop-offs, drift dives, vast amounts of marine life, caves, and wreck dives. Along with that they have averaged that this area has over 1300 species of fish and over 700 species of coral.

BLUE CORNER is possibly the most famous dive site in Palau, a literal environmental corner which is located on the South West reefs of Palau islands and on the Northwest end of Ngemelis Island. It is located about 46 km (25 mi) from Koror and will offer divers a great chance for seeing sharks. Here you will also see extremely large schools of fish and also many larger marine animals. There are strong currents here so it is not suitable for beginner divers but this does make it a great drift dive spot.

GERMAN CHANNEL is another of the more popular dive sites; this channel was created when the Germans needed to transport phosphorous from the lagoon out to the ocean. The channel itself has extremely strong currents but the dive site is located on the southwest mouth of the channel. This is one of the best dive sites in the world to see and come close to Manta Rays which can have a wingspan up to 3m (10ft).

JELLYFISH LAKE Whilst not a site for scuba diving, as the bubbles can harm the jellyfish, it is a unique experience to snorkel and swim amongst millions of harmless (no stingers) jellyfish. One of the best known in water experiences to do in Palau.

IRO MARU WRECK is one of the wrecks you may visit on a Palau itinerary, a large fleet oiler which lies at 23-35m (75-114ft) with coral-encrusted canon guns and much, much more. There are multiple wrecks to be seen in this area, mostly all from WWII, all which have created their own personal ecosystems underwater.

CHANDELIER CAVES is a cave system made up of 5 separate caves, all which have stalagmites and stalactites formed inside them which resemble sparkling chandeliers. You will need to bring a torch and be a confident diver within caves, if so then they are beautiful caves to explore.

Top Tips For Divers

There are three main seasons, the high season runs from December to March and during this time there are flat, calm seas and drier weather, the shoulder seasons are April, July and August, October and November when where the winds are stronger and more rainfall, and lastly the low season, May, June and September where the weather fluctuates the most, but during these months there are the least amount of visitors and lowest prices. Many of the dive sites have specific requirements, such as needing to be a wreck diver or cave diver, so please do check before going.

Getting To Palau

To get to these sites, or to get to any Micronesia liveaboards which will be visiting this area, then you will need to make your way to Koror, which is the largest city in Palau. The airport is located on the island of Babeldaob which is connected by a bridge to Koror. The airport is called The Roman Tmetuchl International Airport. There are only five destinations which have outgoing flights to Palau, so you would have to fly to one of these first; Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Guam. Once in Palau, everything is organised mostly from Koror, most dive shops are located there and any liveaboards will depart from the Malakal Harbour in Koror.


Palau Diving Reviews

  • 9.2 Superb
  • 74 Verified Reviews
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Chris S
  • United States United States

Diving in Palau lived up to its reputation as one of the worlds best dive destinations. The Sharks at blue corner, the mantas at German channel, jellyfish lake, and mandarin fish at chandelier caves exceeded expectations!

Diving Palau in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • steven V
  • United States United States

diving was great although according to the staff the variable visibility and cold currents were not typical

Diving Palau in January on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Shelley S
  • United States United States

100 feet plus visibility; enormous density of sea life; warm waters; pelagics; beautiful corals.

Diving Palau in December on the Palau Siren

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Christina K
  • United States United States

Really good but we were unlucky with the weather and visibility. I imagine the diving is even better with sunshine and good conditions.

Diving Palau in February on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Lyn L
  • United States United States

There is something for everyone.

Diving Palau in September on the Palau Siren

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Gene F
  • United States United States

The best I have ever experienced.

Diving Palau in April on the Ocean Hunter 3

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Scott A
  • United States United States

Beatiful and clear. Outstanding biodiversity.

Diving Palau in July on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ronald M
  • United States United States

Doing a liveaboard was the way to dive Palau. Quick boat rides to dive sites

Diving Palau in August on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Richard V
  • United States United States

Simply world class! Palau does an excellent job of protecting their valuable resource for all to enjoy.

Diving Palau in August on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Vincent L
  • United States United States

The diving in Palau overall definitely exceeded my expectations as a world class dive destination. I was impressed by the diversity of the dive sites. There definitely were few if any dull moments during the dives.

Diving Palau in September on the Palau Siren

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Morgan G
  • United States United States

Excellent. My previous trips to Palau were 10 and 13 years ago. Dive sites have gotten more crowded but the coral and thick schools of barracuda, fusiliers, red-tooth triggers, etc don't seem to be much worse for wear. If anything the density of sharks may have even increased.

Diving Palau in November on the Palau Siren

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Fred G
  • United States United States

Palau has a lot to offer every dive is unique.

Diving Palau in January on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Sue Meng L
  • United States United States

Amazing variety, especially Pelagics and large schools of fishes all at the same time

Diving Palau in July on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Loren R
  • United States United States

Good visibility, manageable currents, intact reef structures

Diving Palau in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Nick Z
  • United States United States

Very good. Lots of healthy reefs and schools of fish. The sharks looked well fed, so they didn't bother us. (smile)

Diving Palau in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jesus S
  • United States United States

Fantastic! Our 4th time diving Palau. It’s simply amazing!

Diving Palau in November on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Daniel B
  • United States United States

Overall, the diving was great, and our guides knew exactly what to look for and where to maximize everyone’s experience.

Diving Palau in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Eric K
  • United States United States

Excellent; will come back. Lots of massive schools and predators, particularly sharks, dogtooth tunas, trevally, grouper, snapper, and spanish mackerel

Diving Palau in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jason C
  • United States United States

The diving was great although the visibility on some dives was not a good as I expected as the typhoon Odette had recently passed by

Diving Palau in December on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 6.8 Review score
  • Gerald S
  • United States United States

The water had low visibility.

Diving Palau in April on the Black Pearl

  • 6.0 Review score
  • Darrell H
  • United States United States

Very good when the wind was not blowing and silting up the water.

Diving Palau in April on the Black Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Greg S
  • United States United States

pretty good. not quite as good as it could have been but there's no control of weather or sea. but the overall diving was some of the best ever. and each of the dive sites had great things to offer.

Diving Palau in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 6.8 Review score
  • paul P
  • United States United States

Bad weather invisibility, rough seas

Diving Palau in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Angela T
  • United States United States

Nice warm waters, great walls. Ok reefs.

Diving Palau in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Amy M
  • United States United States

Very good diving in Palau, warm water, clear and calm (Blue Corner can have current)

Diving Palau in February on the Palau Siren

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Tymur V
  • United States United States

Excellent. Many marine life and not too challenging

Diving Palau in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Zayn F
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Excellent dive sites. Experience somewhat diminished by large numbers of novice Asian divers all scrambling for selfies and photos underwater. Operators can do more to educate their customers on dive etiquette.

Diving Palau in December on the Solitude One

  • 7.6 Good
  • May C
  • Hong Kong Hong Kong

Not as good as expected - not as many big fishes nor current as expected. Also a lot of corels were broken.

Diving Palau in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brenton S
  • Australia Australia

Great, we were unlucky with the Mantas, but that was at no short effort from the crew. Lots of sharks, great coral gardens and some great hook on dives.

Diving Palau in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Alexandros K
  • Greece Greece

I really enjoyed the whole trip

Diving Palau in April on the Palau Siren

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Marcio C
  • Brazil Brazil

Clean water, warm and such a beautiful sites!

Diving Palau in June on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 7.6 Good
  • Christian S
  • Germany Germany

Great dive area. Unfortunately We could not dive at Blue Hole due to a weather change. The boat was great and the diving very convenient.

Diving Palau in July on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Michal V
  • Czech Republic Czech Republic

In the Palau was the diving better than average.

Diving Palau in November on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Ewa P
  • Poland Poland

Palau is of course on of the top locations and it still shows - the reefs are great and relatively unspoiled (not much bleaching). But... I feel the biodiversity is largely reduced compared to other locations in the larger region. I have seen very little macro on this trip and this is surprising vs nearby Philippines, Indonesia, PNG.

Diving Palau in November on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Paul B
  • France France

Really high level, amazing corral life + many grey reef sharks, schools of fishes

Diving Palau in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fred H
  • Australia Australia

amazing once out of the bay

Diving Palau in August on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fred H
  • Australia Australia

Stand by for amazing diving in 30C (89F) waters. In inclement weather, the sea can be warmer than the ambient temperature (between 28C- and 34 C). The rainy season featured 5 days of sun. Our Skiff driver Dustin did not take us back to the ship on two occasions - but instead to taunt pods of young dolphins (about 300- 400) who breached around our ever circling skiff. 7 star experience.

Diving Palau in June on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Christoph B
  • Germany Germany

Excellent!! The water quality is fantastic. No trash!!! Sea live above expectations. The crew and the boat outstanding!

Diving Palau in September on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Howard H
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Excellent, exceeded my expectations

Diving Palau in December on the Ocean Hunter 3

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Jukka Arimatias R
  • Finland Finland

Beautiful corals, lots of sharks, nice and relaxed diving with good visibility

Diving Palau in December on the Solitude One

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Chris B
  • Australia Australia

Overall very nice. Saw a large range of sea life, and coral etc.

Diving Palau in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Yu-Hsien S
  • Taiwan Taiwan

Warm water, great visibility, awesome animal encounter!

Diving Palau in December on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Neville D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Brilliant logged over 90 fish and flora

Diving Palau in December on the Solitude One

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Rudy W
  • Canada Canada

Weather conditions were challenging but the diving was still superb

Diving Palau in December on the Solitude One

  • 8.4 Very good
  • SAUD A
  • Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia

Very fishy, every five is full of action

Diving Palau in January on the Solitude One

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Minseok K
  • South Korea South Korea

Blue Corner and German Channel are so far from harbor. That's why it is better to use liveaboard.

Diving Palau in February on the Black Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Noor A
  • Qatar Qatar

Lovely dive site for wideangle photography

Diving Palau in February on the Black Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Steven C
  • Germany Germany

Diving in Palau was great. The visibility is nice and there is lots of beautiful corals, heaps of turtles and of course fish and sharks.

Diving Palau in September on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • OPHIR N
  • Israel Israel

Good. We didn’t have good whether

Diving Palau in October on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Talya P
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Fantastic every dive we saw new things whether it was wildlife caves seaplanes or wrecks

Diving Palau in November on the Black Pearl

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Harald T
  • Norway Norway

Diving was good, lot of Mantas and reel sharks

Diving Palau in February on the Black Pearl

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Luis L
  • Canada Canada

Pretty good. A few spectacular sites, but most were pretty average. We did a lot of walls, and walls in Palau aren't that good.

Diving Palau in March on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Soojin E
  • South Korea South Korea

The visibility was not very good, but it was fantastic to see various macro creatures living in the wreck and fish that can only be found in Palau.

Diving Palau in April on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Audrey H
  • Malaysia Malaysia

Great diversity of marine life and seascape; excellent diving for the most part. It can get a little cold on the 10-15-min skiff ride back to the boat after the dive particularly when it is raining. Liveaboard is the way to go to minimise travel time and maximise dives.

Diving Palau in January on the Palau Siren

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Andrew A
  • Canada Canada

The diving in Palau was good but the weather was very windy, which affected the visibility. Also, while the corals were beautiful, there were many areas with damaged corals.

Diving Palau in February on the Ocean Hunter 3