I checked my log book and found that my first two dives, which have been the best dives in my life, were in Turtle Cove and Ngedebus Coral Garden, which were just outside of Carp Island, Palau. The boat riding from Peleliu Storyboard Resort where I was staying was about 15 minutes and just like riding in a lake. The water was light blue and crystal transparency. At one time, when the express boat speeding by, the captain saw a very large mammal ray staying at the bottom of water. He stopped the riding, backed up the boat, and we clearly observed the ray from the boat. That event perfectly explained how clear the water was in that lake. Carp Island could be a good place for divers with kids in that corner of the world.
I stayed in Peleliu Storyboard Resort (SBR) for a few days in late January. I dont think there was anything that kids can burn time for. There was a big open beach where I did not see transparency water, did not see coral under water, but only saw grass or plants sticking out the water in the wide open area in front of the cottage I stayed. SBR has bikes for rental, but biking in the island could be somewhat risky, according to my observation. The road in the island was clean and well maintained. Its fenced by tall trees or jungles, but there was no sidewalk between the fence and the road. There is no traffic signals, except one stop sign in front of SBR, in the entire island. Drivers in the island speeding faster than Californians, because there are only 700 residents in the island, no pedestrians walking in the road, and houses mostly are behind trees. There is no TV and no A/C, except history books and old dive magazines, which is not even close to the exiting attractions that kids can burn time with. Snorkeling appeared to be not an option, at least I did not come up a desire to snorkel. An old lady who was a non-diver stepped and sat in the water got many soybean size blisters around her waist, stomach, and legs. Its believed that the cause was fire coral, but not confirmed; it could be other reasons, such as the grass or plants under water. I did not ask her from which direction or spot she stepped in water, because she was in a tremendous suffering.
According to my recent stay, besides diving and three hours to visit historical sites in the Island, there was nothing else to burn time; especially, when I had only three light meals distributed among 10 ½ hours on a heavy diving day, its not easy.
Again, dives around Peleliu are awesome, the best that I have ever had so far. I will for sure to return, regardless the planet is running or stop, and hopefully my future dive trip report would be very delightful, no matter if I stay in SBR or any other places in that part of the world.
In short, trying Carp Island might be an option for now, because it appeared to have good place to snorkel, its cottages looked nice, and I heard it provides plenty of food. Its e-mail address is
carpcorp@palaunet.com, phone number 680-488-2978, and fax 680-488-3155. But again, I have never stayed or landed on Carp, what I provided is just from what I saw while passing by, heard from those who stayed there, and read from the flyer that I picked up in Carp Island Resorts office in Koror. From June to November is their regular season, and its room rates is $85.00 for a family in a regular room and $130.00 for a family in a duplex suite room, according to the flyer I have still kept.