Palau (10 day) Ocean Hunter or Siren

[soundfield]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a "bucket list trip" for my wife and I, 10 days on a liveaboard in Palau. I'm only going to get one chance in my lifetime to do a trip like this, so I want to make the best decision that I can (no do-overs will ever happen). Since I want to do a 10 day liveaboard trip, that narrows it down to either the Ocean Hunter or the Siren. The Siren looks like a beauty of a boat compared to the Ocean Hunter and for the few extra hundred bucks it's not an issue. My question is; is there something about the Ocean Hunter (itinerary perhaps) or some other unknown issue that I may be missing that I should take into account in deciding on the Siren vs. Ocean Hunter? Anyone who has been on either of these boats, or has some inside info to share would be very appreciated. I've dreamed about diving Palau for the past 20 years and it's time to make the dream come true!

Thanks,

Adam D

 

[champ]

Ocean Hunter has two boats. I was on the Ocean Hunter 1. What made the Ocean Hunter 1 special was a maximum of 6 guests. With a max of 6 guests (only 5 on my trip), It was easier to dictate where we wanted to go. We were able to just tell the crew where we wanted to dive that day. Blue Corner was on fire our last day and we choose to just stay on the one site for 4 dives. Because we could just dock the boat at the site over night, we also had first pick of best dive sites each morning. Some dive sites like blue corner would feel crowded with more than 10 divers. Also we were able to dive from the main boat rather than take zodiacs to the dive sites.

On a down side, the boat is very small. We had the suite which was a little bigger than the Typical Liveaboard cabin, however, the other rooms were significantly smaller than most liveaboards. Also the galley is small. If it is raining and you can not go on top of the deck the boat will feel cramped.

 

[Shasta_man]

Soundfield, due to generally concentrated nature of the dive sites in that area, you won't find a lot of difference between the trips except the boats themselves. Most people go to the same places just not necessarily in the same order. Our boat was larger and just anchored essentially in a central location, surrounded by the beautiful islands, until leaving for Peleliu, and it's a five minute ride to the different sites. The smaller Ocean Hunter is probably the only boat that moves more than that because they can get closer in. As mentioned, the small boat is great because it's small but can have a downside because it's small. If I had to recommend, I would choose the larger boat just because you have more people to interact with and potentially more people to enjoy. Not to say that the Hunter is not good or less people would be bad, but if you are doing one liveaboard, then I suggest that you might get to do more stuff with more people on the larger boat. Enjoy your trip...then start saving for the next one because you'll be hooked.

 

[dirtfarmer]

For the best current=sharks, try and go around new or full moon. Palau is top notch for sharks and great for manta's. It's definitely a bucket list item.
Have a blast.

 

[Scubagolf]

We spent a week on the Palau Siren in March of 2013. Great boat. Great crew. Would go back in a heartbeat.

 

[soundfield]

Did the Siren ever move to another site during the week long trip, did you ever get to Peleliu?

 

[Scubagolf]

Yes, and I have the DM's daily log. I will dig it up and post it.

---------- Post added March 5th, 2015 at 06:29 PM ----------

Here is the link to my 2013 trip report. The dive log is included.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/th...dy-trip-report-palau-siren-march-23-30-a.html

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Not related to the OPs question so my apologies but since this thread already has the eyes of Palauu veterans I thought Id ask:

Do you really need a liveaboard in Palau? Or Can you access the same dive sites and same quality of diving environments from land as well?

 

[Damselfish]

Not related to the OPs question so my apologies but since this thread already has the eyes of Palauu veterans I thought Id ask:

Do you really need a liveaboard in Palau? Or Can you access the same dive sites and same quality of diving environments from land as well?

see http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/the-pacific-islands/497119-palau-land-based-liveaboard.html

 

[snickerdoodle]

Can I hijack slightly with a stupid question? Looking at the Ocean Hunter site, what's a "Full Charter" vs the other price stuff? I can't really find an answer on the site but I could be looking in the wrong places.