Your Complete Guide to Palau Liveaboard Diving in Micronesia

Palau liveaboard diving trip will without a doubt leave you with memories for a lifetime. From its captivating dive sites to its mesmerizing marine life, Palau stands as a jewel in the crown of Micronesia's diving destinations. Book your next liveaboard adventure in Palau and dive into a world that defies imagination.

Dive into this comprehensive guide to learn everything about what makes Palau a top diving destination, from its unparalleled marine biodiversity to its stunning underwater landscapes.

Divers from around the globe are drawn to Palau primarily for its renowned diving spots, teeming marine life—particularly the abundant shark population—and vibrant coral reefs. The significant presence of sharks is a testament to the health of Palau's underwater ecosystems, which is largely due to the nation's progressive approach to marine conservation.

About Palau Liveaboard Diving

Dive in Palau to see lots of sharks, colorful fish, and amazing coral, all thanks to the country's strong focus on protecting marine life.

In a groundbreaking move in 2009, Palau established the world's inaugural shark sanctuary, providing protection for more than 135 shark species in the Western Pacific. Building upon this, the country went on to create the world's largest marine sanctuary in early 2014 by banning commercial fishing in an area as large as France.

Palau's dive sites are considered some of the most pristine and unspoiled in the Pacific. A month-long study conducted in 2015 by scientists from the Global Reef Expedition revealed that compared to other regional reefs, Palau's coral health is exceptional.

The researchers discovered that the average live coral cover in Palau exceeded 45%, with some marine protected areas (MPAs) showing coral density as high as 70%.

This level of coral cover is among the world's highest, even when measured against the planet's most celebrated coral ecosystems.

Palau Dive Sites

Blue Corner: Offering an unparalleled opportunity to see sharks, massive schools of fish, and other large marine animals, Blue Corner is a drift dive haven—but not for beginners due to strong currents. Located about 46 km (25 mi) from Koror, this iconic dive site is situated on the Northwest tip of Ngemelis Island and forms part of the South West reefs of the Palau islands. Blue Corner is arguably Palau's most famous dive spot.

Jellyfish Lake: Experience the sensation of swimming among millions of harmless, sting-free jellyfish in this unique snorkeling locale—scuba diving is not allowed here, as the bubbles can hurt the jellyfish. One of the most iconic water activities in Palau, Jellyfish Lake offers an encounter you won't soon forget.

German Channel: Known for being one of the best spots worldwide to get up close with Manta Rays, German Channel is located at the southwest mouth of the channel. Though the channel is known for strong currents, it became a popular dive site. German Channel is without a doubt one of Palau's most frequented diving spots.

Iro Maru Wreck: Featuring coral-encrusted canon guns and an array of other fascinating details, the Iro Maru Wreck rests at depths ranging from 23-35m (75-114ft). This wreck is just one of several in the area, mostly from World War II. It's a must-see site on any Palau liveaboard diving itinerary.

For the best diving experience on a Palau liveaboard, it is recommended having at least an advanced open water diver certification or equivalent, ideally with Nitrox as well. This allows you to dive deeper while also extending your bottom time, so you won't miss out on renowned dive sites like Blue Corner. Basic open water certification only permits dives up to 18 meters. However, Palau offers diving adventures for all skill levels. Even if you're not an advanced diver, you can still enjoy Palau's underwater wonders.

To put it in short, diving on a Palau liveaboard is can be presented just like this... Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands, part of the Micronesia region in the western Pacific Ocean. For diving in Palau, most divers fly to Koror from Manila, Guam, Japan, Taipei and even Korea. Once you land, you can basically get on the boat and start diving

When To Go To Palau?

Palau is famous for good diving all year round and although you may visit in what is known as the rainy season, typically the rain falls in the majority at night with little effect on diving activities. Otherwise, Palau liveaboard diving benefits from three diving seasons.

High Season

If you have the possibility to choose, ideally you should go to Palau in the months between December and March. During these months, diving in Palau is usually at its best, with calm water, great visibility, and less rain. Make sure though to book your trips and activities in advance.

Shoulder Season

The months of April, July, August, October, and November are bringing quite some rain and the sea can be choppy but as always, Palau diving remains largely unaffected compared to other diving destinations around the world.

Low Season

May, June, and September are the most rainy months but on the upside, the dive sites are less crowded and most of them can still be accessible.

Tips For Travelers

Palau operates on Palau Time, abbreviated as PWT, which is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+9). The country doesn't adopt daylight savings, keeping it on UTC +9 throughout the year.

Palau’s currency is the US Dollar ($). Credit cards are widely accepted in tourist areas. Foreign currency exchange can be complicated, so remember to bring US dollars.

The official language spoken in Palau is Palauan. The second official language is English. Other common languages include Japanese and Tagalog.

In Palau, the electrical voltage is 110 Volts with a frequency of 60 Hz. If your devices aren't compatible with these specifications, you'll require a power adapter.

How to get there & Ports of Departure?

Reaching Palau may require some effort due to the limited number of direct flights available, but the journey is well worth it. When mapping out your trip to Palau, consider the following travel routes.

From the U.S., flights typically connect through Guam.
If you're coming from the Philippines, you'll likely fly through Manila.
For travelers from Southeast Asia, Taipei or Seoul are common layover points.

Koror, Palau

Primary Departure Point: Liveaboards in Palau usually depart from Malakal Harbour in Koror, the largest city in Palau.

Nearest Airport: The Roman Tmetuchl International Airport serves Koror and is located on the island of Babeldaob, connected to Koror by a bridge.

Getting to Koror: Direct flights to Palau are limited to only five destinations—Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Guam. You'll likely have to fly into one of these hubs first before making your way to Palau.

Essential Travel Tips for Liveaboard Adventures

Marine Park Fees: Be aware of per person, per day marine park fees. Some liveaboard packages include these fees, while others require onboard payment. Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, cash, or travelers checks.
Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your planned entry date. Most countries require this, along with a return ticket. Check visa requirements in advance.
Health Preparations: Consult your doctor 8 weeks prior to your trip for vaccinations or preventive measures recommended for your destination.

Note: Please review the specific terms and conditions of your chosen liveaboard for any additional marine park fees or travel requirements.