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Palau Aggressor II Captain's Report - May 13 - 20, 2012
Palau Aggressor Trip Report May 13-20, 2012
Water temp: 81º F
Air Temp: 86-90º F
Visibility: 60–110+ feet
Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Andy, Agnes, Nadia, Ben, Hector & Nick
Sunday
A wonderful week of Palauan diving has dawned upon us. The Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Robert & Bridget, Tru & Brock, Jean Anne, Chiho, Matt & Amanda, Mitsu & Masako, and Kerry & Ken. After a delightful dinner we followed with the safety orientation and were off to bed for a peaceful nights rest.
Monday
Flat calm conditions inspired us to head out toward the Teshio Maru to set the stage for a wonderful days diving. And that it was. This marvelous check out dive is a favorite wreck dive for many visitors to Palau. Everyone chose their comfortable depth to explore this beautiful wreck with an array of hard and soft corals. Nudibranchs and flat worms came out for a leisurely stroll on the metal bits that are now so encrusted with coral that is their home. A school of spadefish and a turtle, unperturbed by our presence, casually swam by. What a fabulous check out dive.
We returned to the yacht for a snack and a little hammock time and then headed out to the Iro Maru. This larger wreck has much to explore. As we descended we could see the stern gun covered with coral growth. Off to the side of the wreck the glistening of a large school of jacks caught our attention. As we started exploring the deck of the ship we came across some beautiful nudibranchs and stunning soft coral. We then explored the king posts and enjoyed a parade of batfish cruising by. Another great wreck dive!
A little journey south found us around the famous German Channel. Next up was Ngemelis Wall. This great dive was enjoyed with its rich colors scattered along the wall. Soft corals galore and the macro life was abounding. The photographers found it hard to leave. We followed with a dive at Ngedebus Coral Garden. This tranquil and serene site offered a variety of macro critters. Even a cuttlefish hovered above the reef in misbelief that he was not seen as photographers huddled around him. When the strobes fired he must have realized that he was detected and flight was not an option. In an instant a spectacular metamorphic transformation of texture bewildered us. Color patterns also changed like a hologram right before our eyes. We were mesmerized by this magnificent little creature. The remainder of the dive was spent exploring the finger like coral ridges. An eagle ray made a swift but graceful fly by and then dissolved into the blue water beyond the reef. This ended a fine days diving!
Tuesday
A beautiful morning broke and it was time for the famous Blue Corner. With excitement of diving one of the world’s top 5 dive sites we splashed into the azure blue water of the corner. We were greeted by a plethora of fish. Large schools of barracuda, black snapper and a prodigious school of red tooth triggerfish spanning as far as the eye could see. The unusual fluttering of their dorsal and ventral fins looked like flags flapping in a strong breeze. As we reached the top edge of the wall we armed ourselves with our reef hooks and anchored in. As simple as pushing a button on the TV remote we hooked in on the edge of the wall looking out to the blue and the Nat Geo channel appeared in front of us. Grey reef sharks and white tip reef sharks glided toward us with little effort in this moderate current. The shark show continued without interruption. Stealthily out of nowhere a large green fish appeared. Large pucker lips and inquisitive eyes where right behind us. It was our friendly napoleon wrasse. Our affable wrasse made the rounds to everyone in a stubborn endeavor to gain our attention. The remainder of the dive was spent exploring the hustle and bustle of the plateau. Tropical fish went about their business as we streamed on by. The wrasse followed. What an incredible dive!
After some hammock time we returned to the water. Blue Holes was next. Blue Holes provided a unique experience with four holes on top of the reef that all lead into one large chamber. From within the holes we looked up and enjoyed the sunrays breaking through the ceiling. Numerous photos were taken. The mesmerizing pulsating lights of a disco clam caught our eye followed by a helfich’s dartfish bobbing rhythmically above his burrow. We then exited the holes and drifted with the current along a stunning wall toward Blue Corner. Large schools of snapper, barracuda, sharks and giant trevallies were all out and about.
With lunch and some time in the hammocks we took a plunge into German Channel. What an amazing dive that started with a gorgeous pink anemone that gained everyone’s attention. Then we headed to the cleaning station. The activity was frantic. A Manta appeared. This gentle giant swept in from the blue water. Her grace was just jaw dropping as she flew by us and then evanesced into the blue water again. What an amazing spectacle! We continued the dive admiring the large schools of snapper and jacks being pursued by grey reef sharks. None fell victim by the time we enjoyed a leisurely drift down the channel enjoying the sights of the coral garden. The famous German Channel did not disappoint.
Turtle Cove was next. This dive has something for everyone. We started the dive penetrating a chimney that popped us out at 70 foot off the wall. Then we discovered nudibranchs and flatworms along the wall. Further along the wall we found ourselves in a forest of beautiful soft coral exhibiting a kaleidoscope of rich colors. Then as the dive site name suggests the turtles came out to play. Green and hawks bill turtles were swimming off the wall, feeding and some taking their afternoon nap. Back to the yacht for a break and then we returned to Turtle Cove. Our crepuscular dive set the stage for the change of shift. Scorpion fish and octopus made an appearance, as did nudibranchs and hermit crabs. We enjoyed a spectacular days diving yet again.
Wednesday
A beautiful morning broke as the Palau Aggressor made passage over to Peleliu. We started our day exploring Peleliu Corner. Blessed with some more amazing visibility we started the dive with a wall dive filled with soft coral, sea fans, small gardens of lettuce coral and striking sweetlips. We then armed our reef hooks and hooked in for a little while to enjoy a more stationary view of the sharks, which came in extremely close. We gazed fondly at the cruising sharks and the plethora of tropical fish whizzing by. The remaining part of the dive was enjoyed drifting along the plateau.
After lunch we decided to stretch our legs a bit and go on a tour of Peleliu. This exceptionally interesting tour took us back to September 1944 when the US Marines stormed the beaches of Peleliu. Our guide Godwin showed us the US & Japanese memorial, amtracks, guns, Orange Beach and the 1000 man caves. What a touching tour.
Lunch and a little nap and it was time to visit West Wall. Here the unmistakable yellow soft coral was hard to miss. This stunning wall, which is very sheer, is filled with color and macro critters. We found a large anemone with tomato anemone fish shyly playing with us and in the same anemone, a large porcelain crab snatching morsels of food drifting by. A turtle causally swam by and hardly even noticed the gaggle of divers admiring him. Sharks cruised by us along the wall with pyramid butterfly fish and anthias scattered around us. This was a thoroughly enjoyable dive.
We then splashed into Barracks Point. This remarkable dive greeted us with gin clear water along a sheer wall with a riotous display of deep sea fans and soft corals. A large school of hump head parrotfish flew by in haphazard formation leaving a contrail of sand behind them. Suddenly the wall turned into a slope. A turtle and school of barracuda came into sight as we drifted leisurely across this amazing coral garden. A night dive followed at Ngedebus Coral Gardens where a rare discovery of an ornate ghost pipefish was made. Another memorable day in Palau come to a close.
Thursday
Blue Corner was the obvious choice to start the day. Initially a casual swim along the stunning wall as we headed toward the corner. Along the way the hustle and bustle of giant trevally, barracuda, snapper and pyramid butterfly fish made our heads spin. Then the inbound white tip sharks appeared followed by some large grey reef sharks, both making extremely close passes. Our friendly napoleon wrasse also came to greet us like family reuniting from a trip abroad. After some quality shark and wrasse time we decided to explore the plateau with all it’s life. First we came across a large school of blue lined snapper. Then large schools of barracuda circled us followed by a very friendly green turtle. What a fantastic dive at the corner.
Our next dive adventure takes us to New Drop Off. This dive, considered a mini Blue Corner by some, offers fantastic pelagic action. On this occasion it was no different. With crystal clear water we descended into a thick school of pyramid butterfly fish and patrolling reef sharks. We hooked in for a while and watched the sharks cruising by and then enjoyed a casual drift along the plateau. A large school of blue line snapper then gained our attention and hardly even parted as we approached. Then we came across triggerfish vehemently protecting their eggs with rapid charges at anything approaching their nests. These series of attacks left her eggs vulnerable and a napoleon wrasse found the all you can eat buffet. Bitterly the trigger returned to an empty nest. Nature in action.
Lunch refueled us for an encore dive at German Channel. With similar action as before German Channel produced the goods yet again. Even the manta reappeared as if you bit us adieu. Snack time again and then back to diving. Next up was Ngerchong Inside. This gem of a dive delivered yet again with its insatiable variety of macro critters. A sighting of a few banded messmate pipe fish and 4 cuttle fish hovering above some stag horn coral to name but a few. We then continued down to a coral bommie and found a rather shy octopus peering at us followed by a mantis shrimp with a similar comportment display. The remainder of the dive was spent in the shallow reef with sparkling sun rays lighting up the exquisite blue stag horn coral. Another fine days diving draws to a close.
Friday
A beautiful day broke over Ulong Island. The dive skiff headed to Siaes Tunnel. This amazing dive offers both a beautiful tunnel formation and incredible wall in one dive. We started off in the tunnel exploring almost every nook and cranny for little critters. We managed to find the elusive pigmy blue back butterfly fish and a few flatworms. Then as we swam out of the tunnel a whole new world opened up. The wall was rich with colors and fish life. Schools of snapper, anthias and barracuda were waiting for us. We all delighted in the action. Then it was time for Siaes Corner. We descended into startling clear water again and the colorful wall with magnificent soft corals and giant sea fans emerged. Anthias by the thousands as well as fusiliers and red tooth triggerfish completely surrounded us. They ushered us all the way to the hook in point where we took a more stationary vantage point to enjoy the patrolling grey reef sharks. It was quite amazing to watch them gliding effortlessly in the mild current and on occasion they made some pretty close passes. The remainder of the dive was spent exploring the plateau and finding a moray eel and turtle.
After a delectable lunch we splashed into Ulong Channel. The famous channel lived up to its reputation with clear water. Sharks, jacks and bait balls cruising by the mouth of the channel as we anchored ourselves with our reef hooks. The show was busy and once we saw 30 minutes of pelagic action it was time for a ride down the channel. Sleeping white tips in the sand scurried as we approached them. The most prolific coral life in Palau was seen on the magical ride. Groupers darted into their coral homes as we whizzed by and then we came across a massive patch of lettuce coral that was simply impressive. We the came across 2 beautifully set giant clams. This was a thoroughly enjoyable dive.
Some more hammock time followed and then we jumped into Ulong Coral Gardens. This dive too was met with great visibility and an extensive collection of table top corals stag horn corals, colorful soft corals and large schools of jacks and snappers. It was quite magical having the late afternoon sun rays glistening through the surface and the dive ended with a beautiful sunset. This was a great way to end a wonderful days diving.
Saturday
Another gorgeous morning broke and our adventure starts with the surreal experience of Jellyfish Lake. This stratified marine lake houses the unique non-stinging jellies. They were everywhere you looked and it felt like we were in another world as we snorkeled around these pulsating critters. After getting our jellyfish fix we headed back to Koror and meandered through the rock islands and stopped at the famous archway for a photo shoot. Then back to diving. We decided to enjoy yet another different experience with Chandelier Caves. Only 18 feet deep or so this cave has four chambers that have air spaces where you can pop up and have a chat to your buddy or take some photos before continuing your dive. Exploring these caves was a wonderful way to end an already fantastic weeks diving in Palau.
So the week comes to a close. Congratulations to Chiho for completing her 700th dive while onboard. All of us here on the Palau Aggressor wish all our new friends a safe trip home and a speedy return to eating, sleeping and diving the Aggressor way!
Capt. Marc
Palau Aggressor Trip Report May 13-20, 2012
Water temp: 81º F
Air Temp: 86-90º F
Visibility: 60–110+ feet
Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Andy, Agnes, Nadia, Ben, Hector & Nick
Sunday
A wonderful week of Palauan diving has dawned upon us. The Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Robert & Bridget, Tru & Brock, Jean Anne, Chiho, Matt & Amanda, Mitsu & Masako, and Kerry & Ken. After a delightful dinner we followed with the safety orientation and were off to bed for a peaceful nights rest.
Monday
Flat calm conditions inspired us to head out toward the Teshio Maru to set the stage for a wonderful days diving. And that it was. This marvelous check out dive is a favorite wreck dive for many visitors to Palau. Everyone chose their comfortable depth to explore this beautiful wreck with an array of hard and soft corals. Nudibranchs and flat worms came out for a leisurely stroll on the metal bits that are now so encrusted with coral that is their home. A school of spadefish and a turtle, unperturbed by our presence, casually swam by. What a fabulous check out dive.
We returned to the yacht for a snack and a little hammock time and then headed out to the Iro Maru. This larger wreck has much to explore. As we descended we could see the stern gun covered with coral growth. Off to the side of the wreck the glistening of a large school of jacks caught our attention. As we started exploring the deck of the ship we came across some beautiful nudibranchs and stunning soft coral. We then explored the king posts and enjoyed a parade of batfish cruising by. Another great wreck dive!
A little journey south found us around the famous German Channel. Next up was Ngemelis Wall. This great dive was enjoyed with its rich colors scattered along the wall. Soft corals galore and the macro life was abounding. The photographers found it hard to leave. We followed with a dive at Ngedebus Coral Garden. This tranquil and serene site offered a variety of macro critters. Even a cuttlefish hovered above the reef in misbelief that he was not seen as photographers huddled around him. When the strobes fired he must have realized that he was detected and flight was not an option. In an instant a spectacular metamorphic transformation of texture bewildered us. Color patterns also changed like a hologram right before our eyes. We were mesmerized by this magnificent little creature. The remainder of the dive was spent exploring the finger like coral ridges. An eagle ray made a swift but graceful fly by and then dissolved into the blue water beyond the reef. This ended a fine days diving!
Tuesday
A beautiful morning broke and it was time for the famous Blue Corner. With excitement of diving one of the world’s top 5 dive sites we splashed into the azure blue water of the corner. We were greeted by a plethora of fish. Large schools of barracuda, black snapper and a prodigious school of red tooth triggerfish spanning as far as the eye could see. The unusual fluttering of their dorsal and ventral fins looked like flags flapping in a strong breeze. As we reached the top edge of the wall we armed ourselves with our reef hooks and anchored in. As simple as pushing a button on the TV remote we hooked in on the edge of the wall looking out to the blue and the Nat Geo channel appeared in front of us. Grey reef sharks and white tip reef sharks glided toward us with little effort in this moderate current. The shark show continued without interruption. Stealthily out of nowhere a large green fish appeared. Large pucker lips and inquisitive eyes where right behind us. It was our friendly napoleon wrasse. Our affable wrasse made the rounds to everyone in a stubborn endeavor to gain our attention. The remainder of the dive was spent exploring the hustle and bustle of the plateau. Tropical fish went about their business as we streamed on by. The wrasse followed. What an incredible dive!
After some hammock time we returned to the water. Blue Holes was next. Blue Holes provided a unique experience with four holes on top of the reef that all lead into one large chamber. From within the holes we looked up and enjoyed the sunrays breaking through the ceiling. Numerous photos were taken. The mesmerizing pulsating lights of a disco clam caught our eye followed by a helfich’s dartfish bobbing rhythmically above his burrow. We then exited the holes and drifted with the current along a stunning wall toward Blue Corner. Large schools of snapper, barracuda, sharks and giant trevallies were all out and about.
With lunch and some time in the hammocks we took a plunge into German Channel. What an amazing dive that started with a gorgeous pink anemone that gained everyone’s attention. Then we headed to the cleaning station. The activity was frantic. A Manta appeared. This gentle giant swept in from the blue water. Her grace was just jaw dropping as she flew by us and then evanesced into the blue water again. What an amazing spectacle! We continued the dive admiring the large schools of snapper and jacks being pursued by grey reef sharks. None fell victim by the time we enjoyed a leisurely drift down the channel enjoying the sights of the coral garden. The famous German Channel did not disappoint.
Turtle Cove was next. This dive has something for everyone. We started the dive penetrating a chimney that popped us out at 70 foot off the wall. Then we discovered nudibranchs and flatworms along the wall. Further along the wall we found ourselves in a forest of beautiful soft coral exhibiting a kaleidoscope of rich colors. Then as the dive site name suggests the turtles came out to play. Green and hawks bill turtles were swimming off the wall, feeding and some taking their afternoon nap. Back to the yacht for a break and then we returned to Turtle Cove. Our crepuscular dive set the stage for the change of shift. Scorpion fish and octopus made an appearance, as did nudibranchs and hermit crabs. We enjoyed a spectacular days diving yet again.
Wednesday
A beautiful morning broke as the Palau Aggressor made passage over to Peleliu. We started our day exploring Peleliu Corner. Blessed with some more amazing visibility we started the dive with a wall dive filled with soft coral, sea fans, small gardens of lettuce coral and striking sweetlips. We then armed our reef hooks and hooked in for a little while to enjoy a more stationary view of the sharks, which came in extremely close. We gazed fondly at the cruising sharks and the plethora of tropical fish whizzing by. The remaining part of the dive was enjoyed drifting along the plateau.
After lunch we decided to stretch our legs a bit and go on a tour of Peleliu. This exceptionally interesting tour took us back to September 1944 when the US Marines stormed the beaches of Peleliu. Our guide Godwin showed us the US & Japanese memorial, amtracks, guns, Orange Beach and the 1000 man caves. What a touching tour.
Lunch and a little nap and it was time to visit West Wall. Here the unmistakable yellow soft coral was hard to miss. This stunning wall, which is very sheer, is filled with color and macro critters. We found a large anemone with tomato anemone fish shyly playing with us and in the same anemone, a large porcelain crab snatching morsels of food drifting by. A turtle causally swam by and hardly even noticed the gaggle of divers admiring him. Sharks cruised by us along the wall with pyramid butterfly fish and anthias scattered around us. This was a thoroughly enjoyable dive.
We then splashed into Barracks Point. This remarkable dive greeted us with gin clear water along a sheer wall with a riotous display of deep sea fans and soft corals. A large school of hump head parrotfish flew by in haphazard formation leaving a contrail of sand behind them. Suddenly the wall turned into a slope. A turtle and school of barracuda came into sight as we drifted leisurely across this amazing coral garden. A night dive followed at Ngedebus Coral Gardens where a rare discovery of an ornate ghost pipefish was made. Another memorable day in Palau come to a close.
Thursday
Blue Corner was the obvious choice to start the day. Initially a casual swim along the stunning wall as we headed toward the corner. Along the way the hustle and bustle of giant trevally, barracuda, snapper and pyramid butterfly fish made our heads spin. Then the inbound white tip sharks appeared followed by some large grey reef sharks, both making extremely close passes. Our friendly napoleon wrasse also came to greet us like family reuniting from a trip abroad. After some quality shark and wrasse time we decided to explore the plateau with all it’s life. First we came across a large school of blue lined snapper. Then large schools of barracuda circled us followed by a very friendly green turtle. What a fantastic dive at the corner.
Our next dive adventure takes us to New Drop Off. This dive, considered a mini Blue Corner by some, offers fantastic pelagic action. On this occasion it was no different. With crystal clear water we descended into a thick school of pyramid butterfly fish and patrolling reef sharks. We hooked in for a while and watched the sharks cruising by and then enjoyed a casual drift along the plateau. A large school of blue line snapper then gained our attention and hardly even parted as we approached. Then we came across triggerfish vehemently protecting their eggs with rapid charges at anything approaching their nests. These series of attacks left her eggs vulnerable and a napoleon wrasse found the all you can eat buffet. Bitterly the trigger returned to an empty nest. Nature in action.
Lunch refueled us for an encore dive at German Channel. With similar action as before German Channel produced the goods yet again. Even the manta reappeared as if you bit us adieu. Snack time again and then back to diving. Next up was Ngerchong Inside. This gem of a dive delivered yet again with its insatiable variety of macro critters. A sighting of a few banded messmate pipe fish and 4 cuttle fish hovering above some stag horn coral to name but a few. We then continued down to a coral bommie and found a rather shy octopus peering at us followed by a mantis shrimp with a similar comportment display. The remainder of the dive was spent in the shallow reef with sparkling sun rays lighting up the exquisite blue stag horn coral. Another fine days diving draws to a close.
Friday
A beautiful day broke over Ulong Island. The dive skiff headed to Siaes Tunnel. This amazing dive offers both a beautiful tunnel formation and incredible wall in one dive. We started off in the tunnel exploring almost every nook and cranny for little critters. We managed to find the elusive pigmy blue back butterfly fish and a few flatworms. Then as we swam out of the tunnel a whole new world opened up. The wall was rich with colors and fish life. Schools of snapper, anthias and barracuda were waiting for us. We all delighted in the action. Then it was time for Siaes Corner. We descended into startling clear water again and the colorful wall with magnificent soft corals and giant sea fans emerged. Anthias by the thousands as well as fusiliers and red tooth triggerfish completely surrounded us. They ushered us all the way to the hook in point where we took a more stationary vantage point to enjoy the patrolling grey reef sharks. It was quite amazing to watch them gliding effortlessly in the mild current and on occasion they made some pretty close passes. The remainder of the dive was spent exploring the plateau and finding a moray eel and turtle.
After a delectable lunch we splashed into Ulong Channel. The famous channel lived up to its reputation with clear water. Sharks, jacks and bait balls cruising by the mouth of the channel as we anchored ourselves with our reef hooks. The show was busy and once we saw 30 minutes of pelagic action it was time for a ride down the channel. Sleeping white tips in the sand scurried as we approached them. The most prolific coral life in Palau was seen on the magical ride. Groupers darted into their coral homes as we whizzed by and then we came across a massive patch of lettuce coral that was simply impressive. We the came across 2 beautifully set giant clams. This was a thoroughly enjoyable dive.
Some more hammock time followed and then we jumped into Ulong Coral Gardens. This dive too was met with great visibility and an extensive collection of table top corals stag horn corals, colorful soft corals and large schools of jacks and snappers. It was quite magical having the late afternoon sun rays glistening through the surface and the dive ended with a beautiful sunset. This was a great way to end a wonderful days diving.
Saturday
Another gorgeous morning broke and our adventure starts with the surreal experience of Jellyfish Lake. This stratified marine lake houses the unique non-stinging jellies. They were everywhere you looked and it felt like we were in another world as we snorkeled around these pulsating critters. After getting our jellyfish fix we headed back to Koror and meandered through the rock islands and stopped at the famous archway for a photo shoot. Then back to diving. We decided to enjoy yet another different experience with Chandelier Caves. Only 18 feet deep or so this cave has four chambers that have air spaces where you can pop up and have a chat to your buddy or take some photos before continuing your dive. Exploring these caves was a wonderful way to end an already fantastic weeks diving in Palau.
So the week comes to a close. Congratulations to Chiho for completing her 700th dive while onboard. All of us here on the Palau Aggressor wish all our new friends a safe trip home and a speedy return to eating, sleeping and diving the Aggressor way!
Capt. Marc
