Liveaboard Diving in Micronesia

The remoteness of Micronesia ensures pristine marine beauty and the adventurous diver will be well rewarded.

Liveaboards in Micronesia offer a scuba diving wonderland to this collection of small islands. The abundant marine life, vibrant corals gardens, plunging walls, spectacular drop-offs and a plethora of World War I and II wrecks make the area a world class dive destination and perfect for dive liveaboard cruises. Of the many islands of Micronesia, the main diving destinations are Chuuk/Truk lagoon and Palau.

LiveAboard.com offers great itineraries on the best Micronesia liveaboards. Micronesia originates from the word "small islands", is situated in the western Pacific Ocean and made up of more than 2000 islands, divided into four main archipelagos. They form an amazing group of scenic paradise islands.


Sailing in Micronesia means exploring Islands covered in flourishing forests, surrounded by turquoise waters and white beaches, this is truly a paradise for everyone. With thriving reefs, mystical wrecks and a large variety of impressive marine life, this is the perfect place to explore on a liveaboard; it will give you a chance to see a lot of the dive sites while always having comfortable, convenient accommodation. Deciding to take a liveaboard trip around the Palau area of Micronesia will allow you to dive with Manta Rays at the German Channel, swim with millions of jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, explore the caves at Chandelier caves and drift dive with some of the largest schools of fish in the world at Blue Corner. If wrecks are what you are most interested in, then boarding a liveaboard going to Chuuk/Truk lagoon will provide you with an incredible assortment of wreck dives, all from WWII.

There are a selection of liveaboard dive tours which go around Micronesia which you can learn more about and book via LiveAboard.com. They vary in length from 52m (170ft) down to a smaller size of 20m (65ft) and the amounts of guests on board range from 22 down to 16. Each liveaboard has its own extras such as wifi, which sometimes comes at an extra cost, so please check this before booking.

The liveaboards generally leave from the port, on the first day, in the morning or early afternoon. The first dive which will be done is usually a check dive, just for the staff to get to know you as a diver and also give you chance to check your buoyancy and equipment. This will be done in a calm dive site, which in Micronesia will still be a beautiful site. Once the staff have gotten to know you better as a diver, then they, along with the captain, will be able to decide better on which dive sites are best suited.

It is important to note that all liveaboard itineraries can be subject to change depending on dive levels and weather conditions. Whatever happens, the final decision is always with the captain.

Dive Sites And Areas Of Micronesia

There are two main areas that the liveaboards visit, Palau, where the famous Rock Islands are located, and Chuuk/Truk Lagoon which is filled with World War II wrecks and artefacts. There are many popular dive sites in these areas.

PALAU: is on many divers bucket list of dive areas to visit, and rightly so. Here you can find such dive sites as Iro Maru Wreck, Peleliu, German Channel and the famous Blue Corner.

BLUE CORNER: An environmental corner located in the South West reef of the Rock Islands and is mostly known for being a top drift dive spot due to its strong currents. These currents are what makes the reef there flourish and inhabit some of the largest schools of fish in the world. This dive site has been voted best in the world in the past.

GERMAN CHANNEL: A channel created by the Germans, who needed to transport phosphorous from the lagoon to the ocean, in the early 1900's. The south west mouth of the channel is where the dive site is located and it is one of the best spots in the world to see Manta Rays, definitely an exceptional experience.

IRO MARU WRECK: The most famous wreck dive in the Palau area; sunk in 1944 this Japanese ship has created its own coral jungle filled with fish of all shapes and sizes and is home to many species of shrimp.

JELLYFISH LAKE: Swimming and snorkelling through millions of jellyfish without stingers, that is the experience this isolated lake on the island of Eil Malk in Palau will give you.

CHANDELIER CAVES: Caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites which sparkle like chandeliers could be a cave divers fantasy. A group of five cave systems which are great for explorations.

TRUK LAGOON: or also known as Chuuk Lagoon, An old Japanese naval base in WWII, more than 60 ships and 200 aeroplanes went down here, which has created around 50 wreck dive sites. If you are looking to dive with wrecks, it can't get much better than this.

When To Go

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.

Tips For Travellers

Because Micronesia is connected with the United States, they speak English all around. However, there are around 11 local languages in Micronesia. They also use the US dollar as currency.

Most liveaboards will have equipment for rent, however bringing your own will save renting costs and is always more comfortable. The staff will need to be sure about your dive experience so remember to bring along your log book and certification cards.

The electricity voltage here is 120 V and the plug type they use is A/B; flat double prong, so remember to bring adaptors with you for your electrical appliances if needed.

How To Get There And Ports Of Departure

There are two areas from which liveaboards depart from; Malakal Harbour in Koror and Weno Harbour. Both Koror and Weno have their own international airports. Koror is the largest city in Palau and 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. Weno has an international airport called Chuuk International Airport. There are only three airlines which fly to Chuuk, with the main route being via Guam from Honolulu with United Airlines.

Considerations

The prices of the liveaboards vary from US$286-US$436 per day, and boats of different sizes and amounts of customers.

Regarding visas, most nationalities receive a 30-day visa on arrival, and US citizens receive a one-year visa. Do make sure your passport is valid for at least 120 days more after the date of arrival.

There will be extra charges for Marine Park fees, Taxes and Port taxes for the liveaboards, so please do keep this in mind and check this before signing up.

The dive sites which each liveaboard visits differ, and so they will require different levels of diving. This ranges from Open Water (which will always be the minimum requirement) without any number of logged dives, up to Advanced Open Water with 50 logged dives. So please also keep this in mind.


Micronesia Diving Reviews

  • 9.3 Superb
  • 108 Verified Reviews
  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Chris S
  • United States United States

Incredible!!!! I've dived both Palau and Chuuk and are both my favorite dive destinations: one for its reef and animals, the other for its wrecks; the great thing about both is the wartime history that are part of these sites and locations.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • steven V
  • United States United States

great

Diving Micronesia in January on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Georgia K
  • United States United States

Good

Diving Micronesia in April on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 7.6 Good
  • Chris A
  • United States United States

This was my second time to Micronesia. I'll likely return.

Diving Micronesia in November on the Palau Siren

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Shelley S
  • United States United States

Fantastic experience. Wonderful people and incredible diving.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Siren

  • 5.2 Review score
  • Dan M
  • United States United States

Pretty good. I would recommend diving there. We have dove in many places and found it to be a good trip once we got a guide who was well rounded and an expert in finding all the things that are out there to see. He knew how to put us in at just the right spot and also avoid the crowds.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Siren

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Christina K
  • United States United States

Fabulous!

Diving Micronesia in February on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Richard C
  • United States United States

The place is absolutely beautiful!

Diving Micronesia in May on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Steve H
  • United States United States

Absolutely loved diving in Micronesia. Huge abundance of fish, healthy coral, warm water.

Diving Micronesia in August on the Palau Aggressor II

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

Enjoyable.

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Siren

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Muir F
  • United States United States

fantastic

Diving Micronesia in September on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Catherine H
  • United States United States

Amazing

Diving Micronesia in November on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Inna M
  • United States United States

Fantastic. Friendly people, good experience. A little hard to get around.

Diving Micronesia in November on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • megan G
  • United States United States

Exceptional - I look forward to returning

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Andrew L
  • United States United States

Beyond my expectations. I didn't want to leave.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Christopher H
  • United States United States

Top 3 dive locations in the world!

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Matt K
  • United States United States

Fantastic - looking forward to coming back

Diving Micronesia in February on the Solitude One

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Gene F
  • United States United States

Great - but expensive. ;)

Diving Micronesia in April on the Ocean Hunter 3

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Krystina G
  • United States United States

It was good

Diving Micronesia in July on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Gerald B
  • United States United States

Excellent. A must do for avid divers at some point in their career.

Diving Micronesia in July on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Richard V
  • United States United States

Micronesia in general offers outstanding diving. You simply can't go wrong diving in this region of the world.

Diving Micronesia in August on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Vincent L
  • United States United States

Overall diving in Micronesia definitely lives up to it's lore as a world class dive site. The dive sites are incredibly pristine and well protected. I was very satisfied with my experience an the Palau Siren and would highly recommend it.

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Siren

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Daniel P
  • United States United States

Great time. Would highly recommend it. You get to see a diverse range of sea life, wrecks, reefs and good for all experience levels.

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Siren

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Yui W
  • United States United States

best in micronesia, having been to chuuk and guam

Diving Micronesia in November on the Palau Aggressor II

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

Its a great place to visit for a week.

Diving Micronesia in January on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Edna D
  • United States United States

All varieties of diving: reef, wreck-seaplane and ships, cave, current and reef hook diving! Jellyfish lake is an experience beyond words!

Diving Micronesia in March on the Solitude One

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

Unbelievable. I am so glad that we did it. I just find diving here overpriced though and there are too many Palau government fees

Diving Micronesia in July on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Loren R
  • United States United States

Wonderful. One of my favorite places to dive.

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Jennifer C
  • United States United States

So amazing, we will be back. After every dive we came up with lists of cool things we saw.

Diving Micronesia in January on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Julia M
  • United States United States

It was good. We loved the kayaking too. Paddled for four days after our trip around the islands and found some cool snorkel spots.

Diving Micronesia in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brian G
  • United States United States

Loved every minute I was there and look forward to returning.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 7.6 Good
  • Kevin P
  • United States United States

The dive experience in Micronesia has been great. I may return.

Diving Micronesia in April on the Black Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Ron D
  • United States United States

After the typhoon left and the ocean calmed, we had good visibility and calm waters. We saw a diversity of marine life, but we didn't experience the Palau Spawning Special as advertised!

Diving Micronesia in April on the Black Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Dr. Linda K
  • United States United States

Absolutely fabulous!!

Diving Micronesia in August on the Palau Siren

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

Bad weather made it a bad experience due to bad visibility

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • BRYAN M
  • United States United States

Wonderful & exciting!

Diving Micronesia in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Angela T
  • United States United States

I was diving here 15 yrs ago. There is more bleaching and damage now from climate change and careless divers. I enjoyed it, but sad to see the decline. I guess go now before it gets worse in the future.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Doug W
  • United States United States

Awesome as well

Diving Micronesia in March on the Pacific Master

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Raymond D
  • United States United States

Awesome, Beautiful, Majestic, Unbelievable I will RETURN and recommend others to visit

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Kelly S
  • United States United States

Micronesia is an amazing place to dive. The people are very happy to have tourists and they want you there. Getting there from the US is tough and long, but well worth it.

Diving Micronesia in October on the Black Pearl

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Peter G
  • United States United States

Total of four days on land. Great Food at the Rock Island Cafe. Before boarding and after disembarking, I attended the local branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were very welcomed and I found a family that I had met 26 years earlier.

Diving Micronesia in November on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Bruce W
  • United States United States

worthy of the adventure and difficult travel destination

Diving Micronesia in January on the Pacific Master

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Haakon F
  • Norway Norway

Cool

Diving Micronesia in July on the Palau Siren

  • 7.6 Good
  • May C
  • Hong Kong Hong Kong

not as good as expected

Diving Micronesia in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Brenton S
  • Australia Australia

Shame I only did Koror and not Yak and Turk aswell.

Diving Micronesia in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Alexandros K
  • Greece Greece

Excellent

Diving Micronesia in April on the Palau Siren

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Marcio C
  • Brazil Brazil

My best diving in the entire world! (until now)

Diving Micronesia in June on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Christophe M
  • France France

Excellent.

Diving Micronesia in July on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 7.6 Good
  • Christian S
  • Germany Germany

Better than expected.

Diving Micronesia in July on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Libby P
  • South Korea South Korea

I love diving in Micronesia. Loved Saipan and Truk.

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Siren

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Ewa P
  • Poland Poland

I was surprised to find how American Micronesia is - only one dive master was local, all prices are US prices, and corresponding expectations (a taxi costs less in New York that in Palau for the same distance). Compared to Asian liveaboards this is a "double up" experience. It seems also that everyone is crowding at the same spots, i.e. there is not that much breadth of divesites near the main islands. So it is of course a "must-do" on a list for someone diving a lot but unlikely to come back to the same spots (while I definitely come back to many Asian spots)

Diving Micronesia in November on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Melody W
  • Singapore Singapore

It was an excellent world under the seas in Palau..

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Michael B
  • Germany Germany

good experience, we will come back

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Christophe B
  • France France

Pricey compared to other destinations but very good. I liked the friendliness of people, the overall quality of the dives for big fishes (for macro and small stuff I think that we have more biodiversity in the Philippines where I live) and the perfectly organized boat cruise

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Michael H
  • Germany Germany

Excellent experience

Diving Micronesia in February on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Gregory H
  • Australia Australia

Supeb

Diving Micronesia in April on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Sanghun W
  • South Korea South Korea

Fantastic

Diving Micronesia in May on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • shinta narulita B
  • Singapore Singapore

Excellent.

Diving Micronesia in August on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • BYUNGSEOK K
  • South Korea South Korea

it was first time there.. will be there in very near future

Diving Micronesia in August on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Cornelia P
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Super dive sides with many sharks, barracudas, jacks and and and No "critters"

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Arwed N
  • Germany Germany

Interesting, more challenging waters than expected, less macro life than expected, big schools of fish.

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Helena S
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Very positive - lovely people

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • david W
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

it was some of the best diving in the world. Awesome!

Diving Micronesia in March on the Palau Siren

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Jordi G
  • Spain Spain

Awesome place.

Diving Micronesia in April on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Tiam Poh L
  • Singapore Singapore

Very pristine sites overall. Please continue to do the right thing to keep it that way.

Diving Micronesia in May on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fran G
  • New Zealand New Zealand

What a wonderful place we rented a car which Aggressor sorted out for us and did a tour of the island on our last day such friendly people.

Diving Micronesia in August on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fred H
  • Australia Australia

laid back people and pristine environment

Diving Micronesia in August on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fahdi D
  • France France

Awesome

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Siren

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Jason L
  • Australia Australia

As expected

Diving Micronesia in February on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Marc L
  • Canada Canada

The best diving I've done so far!

Diving Micronesia in March on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Fred H
  • Australia Australia

Stunning. Shop carefully for flights and be sure to flush your ears with fresh water after dives.

Diving Micronesia 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 Micronesia in September on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Martijn B
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Best diving and very lucky with weather and sightings

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Nisan S
  • Israel Israel

Unforgettable. Can't wait to come back.

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Howard H
  • Netherlands Netherlands

Excellent, definitely coming back

Diving Micronesia in December on the Ocean Hunter 3

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Yves D
  • France France

It will remain an extraordinary memory, why not to do again

Diving Micronesia in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Yu-Hsien S
  • Taiwan Taiwan

One of the best in Asia! Should definitely come back!

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Rudy W
  • Canada Canada

This was my second visit but not my last

Diving Micronesia in December on the Solitude One

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

Wonderful diving, but it’s just too far if your coming from US/Europe or Middle East.

Diving Micronesia in January on the Solitude One

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Roswitha G
  • Germany Germany

Once in a lifetime - will be difficult to top this to top this

Diving Micronesia in January on the Ocean Hunter 3

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Joerg R
  • Germany Germany

Great!

Diving Micronesia in February on the Ocean Hunter 3

  • 10.0 Exceptional
  • Minseok K
  • South Korea South Korea

There are so many good dive point and many things to see.

Diving Micronesia in February on the Black Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Noor A
  • Qatar Qatar

Amazing

Diving Micronesia in February on the Black Pearl

  • 8.0 Very good
  • Jun J
  • Sweden Sweden

Usually great but the weather was not good this week.

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Steven C
  • Germany Germany

The experience in Palau is great, although there is not very much to do on the Island. People are very friendly and helpful. Since the pandemic „started“ some restautants and dive shops closed and there is not too many people coming to Palau. Be prepared „Taxi“ rides need to be scheduled beforehand and are not cheap.

Diving Micronesia in September on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Christina B
  • Germany Germany

Very nice but only for diving - there is nothing Else to do

Diving Micronesia in October on the Black Pearl

  • 8.4 Very good
  • Harald T
  • Norway Norway

Diving was good, some lack of visibility, but overall good

Diving Micronesia in February on the Black Pearl

  • 8.8 Fabulous
  • Alexander G
  • Switzerland Switzerland

Good mixture of big and small stuff (makro and pelagic life).

Diving Micronesia in February on the Palau Siren

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Luis L
  • Canada Canada

The good sites were so good that they made up for the average ones.

Diving Micronesia in March on the Palau Aggressor II

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • Soojin E
  • South Korea South Korea

I was so happy to be able to observe a variety of creatures in accordance with various diving terrains, from wall terrain to caves and coral colonies.

Diving Micronesia in April on the Rock Islands Aggressor

  • 7.2 Good
  • sofia W
  • Australia Australia

Lots of grey reef sharks Not many macro stuff Fantastic corals but again missed small stuff

Diving Micronesia in October on the Palau Siren

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Michael G
  • Australia Australia

I would dive here again and return with the siren

Diving Micronesia in December on the Palau Siren

  • 9.6 Exceptional
  • David D
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom

Wonderful - above and below water. The Bumphead Parrot Fish Spawning was simply awesome - hundreds of them, rising to spawn like firework rockets going off.

Diving Micronesia in January on the Black Pearl

  • 9.2 Superb
  • Andrew A
  • Canada Canada

I had a great time but this is not a place that I would come back to dive. The visibility was not great on many of the dives, and the corals were not completely as they used to be.

Diving Micronesia in February on the Ocean Hunter 3