Most dive sites are located around the Rock Islands and off Peleliu, but are accessible on day trips from Koror, Palau’s centre of activity. There is a range of dive sites to suit different interests and experience levels.
Blue Corner
An enchanting dive, Blue Corner has a wealth of underwater life, and is known for the shape of its reef – a large point extending out into the sea. There is an amazing variety of fish, including barracudas, jacks, Napoleon wrasses and schooling grey reef sharks, as well as hard and soft corals.
Location: southern Rock Islands, northwest of Ngemelis Island
Depth range: 15m to 40m
Level of experience: intermediate
Access: boat from Koror (50 to 70 minutes)
Blue Holes
In the mood for an otherworldly experience? Dive the Blue Holes, one of Palau's most scenic dives. It features four vertical shafts, which open on the top of the reef and lead down to a mammoth cavern. Rays of sunlight shine through these openings, while schools of fish patrol the huge bottom exit.
Location: southern Rock Islands, northwest of Ngemelis Island
Depth range: 5m to 35m
Level of experience: intermediate
Access: boat from Koror (50 to 70 minutes)
Chuyo Maru
Very close to Koror, this fascinating shipwreck is the result of a bombing in April 1944. It supports a range of fish life and is covered with soft and hard species of coral. Among the relics here are a large anchor winch, stern gun, and the remains of a brass compass. The tops of the ship’s masts are encrusted with corals and delicate sponges of every colour and texture.
Location: northern Rock Islands, west of Koror
Depth range: 11m to 40m
Level of experience: intermediate
Access: boat from Koror (five minutes)
Helmet Wreck
This Japanese coaster, sunk during WWII, is full of wartime remains and ship artefacts, including rifles, ammunition boxes and electrical pars. The wreck’s name comes from the many helmets found in the aft hold, now melded together after decades of underwater corrosion.
Location: northern Rock Islands, east of Malakal Island
Depth range: 15m to 33m
Level of experience: novice
Access: boat from Koror (five minutes)
German Channel
One of Palau's most iconic dives, German Channel is famous for its population of manta rays. The mouth of the channel features some nice sandy areas with small cleaning stations, where mantas (usually two to five individuals) come to have parasites removed by little cleaner wrasses. The mantas, if not feeling threatened, have been known to approach divers – an unforgettable experience.
Location: southern Rock Islands, east of Ngemelis Island
Depth range: 6m to 30m
Level of experience: novice
Access: boat from Koror (50 to 60 minutes)
Siaes Tunnel
This atmospheric dive site is a large tunnel, which deeply undercuts a sheer wall. Inside the vast chamber are picturesque coral formations and gorgonians. It’s also possible to spot rays and whitetip sharks resting on the sandy floor. From the tunnel, the dive continues along the wall.
Location: northern Rock Islands, west of Ulong Island
Depth range: 24m to 35m
Level of experience: intermediate
Access: boat from Koror (40 to 50 minutes)
Ulong Channel
Ulong Channel is one of the best drift dives in Palau, providing an opportunity to glide over large white-sand valleys dotted with sprawling lettuce corals. The dive begins at the mouth of the channel, where divers hook on to the reef to see hunting sharks, jacks, barracudas and groupers, before riding the current along the channel.
Location: northern Rock Islands, west of Ulong Island
Depth range: 5m to 20m
Level of experience: intermediate
Access: boat from Koror (40 to 50 minutes)
Although conditions vary by season and location, Palau can be dived year-round. Therefore, it's not a bad idea to plan your trip in the low season (usually from May to November), when you can scout out better hotel deals.
Koror is Palau’s commercial hub, home to most hotels and restaurants, and where almost all dive shops are based. In general, you can expect well-maintained dive equipment and professional staff, but standards may differ between centres, so it pays to shop around. Among the most reputable outfits in Koror are Fish 'n Fins, Sam’s Tours and Neco Marine.
And if you’re eager to do as much diving as possible, a live-aboard is a good option as you’ll do four dives per day, plus some night dives. A six- to nine-night live-aboard around the Rock Islands and Peleliu is a great way to enjoy Palau's best dive sites without the crowds, and avoid lengthy boat rides to and from Koror. Recommended operators include the Ocean Hunter and Palau Aggressor II.
