Liveaboard Diving in German Channel
What to expect on a German Channel liveaboard
Liveaboard diving to the German channel gives divers the chance to get up close with Manta Rays. The German Channel is sometimes said to be a natural occurrence, but this is not the case. This channel was created by the Germans in the early 1900s as they were mining guano (phosphate) in Micronesia and needed to transport it out of the lagoon into the ocean, which this channel then allowed them to do. It is located in the Rock Islands in Palau, East of Ngemelis Island, and 37 km (23 mi) from Koror, so about 40 to 50 minutes by boat. The channel itself has extremely strong currents and a lot of boats which pass over it, so divers cannot go there, the dive site is located on the southwest mouth of the channel. Even though the visibility on average is very good, it depends completely on the tide. When it is incoming tide the visibility is best because lots of clear water is brought in, it is between 20m (60ft) to 40m (120ft) and with the outgoing tide which brings a lot of plankton and algae with it, the visibility is about 10m (30ft) to 20m (60ft). Liveaboard diving at the German Channel is suitable for all levels of diver, the overall area slopes from 5m (15ft) down to 40m (120ft).
What You Can See
The most popular attraction for liveaboards at the German Channel dive site is by far the Manta Rays. 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). They are very shy creatures, but here they do come quite close to the divers, however, the trick is to be patient and never chase them, as then they will not return. They will come and feed on plankton there at their feeding station but one of the best things you can see is the manta rays vising the cleaning stations. Here they will sit with mouths open and gills open to let the cleaner wrasses and butterflyfish clean everything, and absolutely great photo or video opportunity. Apart from the famous Manta Rays, this dive site has a lot more underwater life to offer including schools of blacktip reef sharks and grey reef sharks, barracuda, trevally, snappers, and many more tropical fish.
Getting To German Channel
To get to this dive site, 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 that 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 organized mostly from Koror, and any German Channel liveaboards will depart from the Malikal Harbour in Koror. It has been said that the best months to go are from December to June, however, it is always possible to dive here.
German Channel Diving Reviews
- 9.5 Exceptional
- 60 Verified Reviews
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Christina K
![United States]()
United States
Ok. We saw 2 mantas, sharks and a marble ray but the visibility was poor in the channel.
Diving German Channel in February on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Steve H
![United States]()
United States
The coral was really beautiful in the German Channel.
Diving German Channel in August on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Christopher H
![United States]()
United States
On two different dives we saw Mantas there. Awesome!
Diving German Channel in December on the Solitude One
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Scott A
![United States]()
United States
The manta rays were exquisite and the shark population nice and diverse.
Diving German Channel in July on the Palau Aggressor II
- 8.4 Very good
- Daniel P
![United States]()
United States
Another highlight of the trip. Strong current but lots of action and fun drift dive.
Diving German Channel in September on the Palau Siren
- 8.0 Very good
- Fred G
![United States]()
United States
German Channel was very cold and the visibility was low, hard to see the couple of mantas that were around.
Diving German Channel in January on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Edna D
![United States]()
United States
Looked forward to diving this site but not many pelegics at the time.
Diving German Channel in March on the Solitude One
- 8.0 Very good
- Christopher E
![United States]()
United States
Consistent dive - loved the variety
Diving German Channel in June on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Garrett W
![United States]()
United States
Excellent drift dive with lots of lettuce corals.
Diving German Channel in June on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Andrew J
![United States]()
United States
The manta rays were large and amazing.
Diving German Channel in September on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jesus S
![United States]()
United States
AMAZING! Love the Manta show
Diving German Channel in November on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- WILLIAM J
![United States]()
United States
Very good, visibility could have been better while we were there
Diving German Channel in January on the Solitude One
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jennifer C
![United States]()
United States
Mantas were there, we were so lucky.
Diving German Channel in January on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Daniel B
![United States]()
United States
The first time we went, visibility was awful, but the second time visibility was good, and we were able to see some cool stuff. The dive site was a little overcrowded, which scared off the one manta ray that actually did show up.
Diving German Channel in February on the Palau Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Eric K
![United States]()
United States
Action packed. Mantas and sharks being cleaned and feeding.
Diving German Channel in February on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Jason C
![United States]()
United States
The manta cleaning station at German Channel was amazing
Diving German Channel in December on the Palau Aggressor II
- 6.8 Review score
- paul P
![United States]()
United States
Just fair due to bad weather
Diving German Channel in October on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- BRYAN M
![United States]()
United States
3 dives all very different, loved every one with Manta's each time!
Diving German Channel in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Angela T
![United States]()
United States
its good for one dive. We repeated it too many times
Diving German Channel in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Alexandros K
![Greece]()
Greece
I believe it was a night dive. Very good one.
Diving German Channel in April on the Palau Siren
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Marcio C
![Brazil]()
Brazil
My second best dive...the currents take you along the way as you were into a aquaruium..
Diving German Channel in June on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.2 Superb
- Christophe M
![France]()
France
No manta, but always see sharks
Diving German Channel in July on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.2 Superb
- Michal V
![Czech Republic]()
Czech Republic
German Channel is dependent on the presance of mantas; and we were lucky one time.
Diving German Channel in November on the Palau Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- Paul B
![France]()
France
Mantas at the cleaning station
Diving German Channel in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Michael H
![Germany]()
Germany
Diving with 9 Mantas feeding. It was super awesome!
Diving German Channel in February on the Palau Aggressor II
- 8.8 Fabulous
- shinta narulita B
![Singapore]()
Singapore
Excellent. Mantas are just at the ocean surface.
Diving German Channel in August on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Tiam Poh L
![Singapore]()
Singapore
Very nice site. However, only one Manta came along. well.... this is what makes diving so exciting.
Diving German Channel in May on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Fahdi D
![France]()
France
Great, beautiful spot for Mantas and shark. Also fun to dive at night
Diving German Channel in October on the Palau Siren
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Fred H
![Australia]()
Australia
The manta migration has changed since last year when circling mantas - one after the other appeared. Yes, there are Mantas - but not in the numbers. There are also other pelagics that frequent the channel but you want an incoming current to ensure 100% adrenaline with your nitrox!
Diving German Channel in June on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Christoph B
![Germany]()
Germany
great Manta experiences! They were both feeing and cleaning. A total of 7 (double counting included)
Diving German Channel in September on the Palau Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Kate H
![Canada]()
Canada
Love the drift, wish the current were a bit stronger.
Diving German Channel in October on the Palau Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Nisan S
![Israel]()
Israel
A huge manta at the cleaning station just a meter away, sharks and tunas feeding on a huge fish ball and another manta sweam by. Non stop action.
Diving German Channel in October on the Palau Aggressor II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Howard H
![Netherlands]()
Netherlands
One of the best dive sites I’ve ever visited
Diving German Channel in December on the Ocean Hunter 3
- 9.2 Superb
- Jukka Arimatias R
![Finland]()
Finland
Mantas!! And some sharks (even a tiger shark). One of the best dive sites around this area
Diving German Channel in December on the Solitude One
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Chris B
![Australia]()
Australia
We were unlucky, only seeing one Manta at a time, but that as still very cool.
Diving German Channel in December on the Rock Islands Aggressor
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Yu-Hsien S
![Taiwan]()
Taiwan
Great manta encounter, can't top that
Diving German Channel in December on the Palau Aggressor II
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Rudy W
![Canada]()
Canada
Amazing variety of species from large to small
Diving German Channel in December on the Solitude One
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Tammie V
![Canada]()
Canada
Colourful and full of Sea life
Diving German Channel in January on the Solitude One
- 8.4 Very good
- SAUD A
![Saudi Arabia]()
Saudi Arabia
Amazing!! We saw mantas and sharks feeding! Cutest thing!
Diving German Channel in January on the Solitude One
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Steven C
![Germany]()
Germany
German channel was nice as well. Luckily we went there two times, as the first time we werden’s lucky to encounter Mantas at the cleaning starion. But the second time they were there.
Diving German Channel in September on the Palau Aggressor II
- 9.2 Superb
- Yuka F
![Japan]()
Japan
We could see feeding Manta.
Diving German Channel in January on the Palau Aggressor II
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Alexander G
![Switzerland]()
Switzerland
Great probability of Manta sights.
Diving German Channel in February on the Palau Siren
