Palau Aggressor II Captain's Logs

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor Captain’s Report February 10 - 17, 2013

Water temp: 81º F
Air Temp: 83-88º F
Visibility: 60–110+ feet
Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Cameron, Andy, Ben, Emma & Hector

Sunday
A wonderful week of Palauan diving has dawned upon us. The Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Christl, Beate, Nick, Andrew, Dom, Larry & Jerrol, Russel, Karin, Patricia, David & Darlynn, Marcus & Shirin, Francis, & Patrick. We set up our gear and enjoyed a delightful dinner followed by the safety orientation and were off to bed for a peaceful night’s rest.

Monday
A flat calm conditions inspired us to head out before daybreak and journey to Ulong Island to set the stage for a wonderful days diving. And that it was. For our first dive we splashed into Ulong Coral Gardens for a check out dive. This peaceful dive presented a colorful variety of beautiful corals. Massive tabletop corals stag horn corals and soft corals to name but a few. Scattered tropical fish complimented the colorful reef and amazing visibility made this dive almost surreal. Lunch fueled our bodies for Siaes Corner. This was our first taste of Palau’s famous hook in dive. With a mild current, we took our time hooking in. The conditions were perfect to practice our hooking skills. The edge of the wall was filled with anthias scattered as far as the eye could see. The schools were pulsating to the rhythm of the ocean. Sharks made an appearance, as did a large school of chevron barracuda.

After a quick snack it was time for Ulong Channel. The famous channel lived up to its reputation with plenty sharks cruising by the mouth of the channel as we anchored ourselves in with our reef hooks. The show was busy and once we saw 20 minutes of pelagic action it was time for a ride down the channel. We saw sleeping white tips in the sand and a hawksbill turtle swam by. The most prolific coral life in Palau was seen on the magical ride with tabletop corals galore and beautiful soft corals paving the way for us down the channel. Then we came across a massive patch of lettuce coral that was simply impressive followed by two beautifully set giant clams. We enjoyed the channel so much that we returned there for our next dive. During a delectable dinner, the Palau Aggressor made passage to Ngemelis Island.

Tuesday
The morning started with a trip over to Blue Corner. This amazing dive is like watching the National Geographic channel live. Initially a casual swim along the stunning wall as we headed toward the hook in area. 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 black tip reef sharks, both making extremely close passes. To take full advantage of the beauty of Blue Corner with its known current we anchored ourselves to the edge of the wall with our reef hooks. This quick and easy set-up allows us to effortlessly enjoy the magic that the current presents. Sharks, barracuda, turtles, trevally and various snapper love the nutrient rich flowing water and we are right in the middle of it. Then suddenly a napoleon wrasse makes an appearance. Very approachable, this affable wrasse with its puppy dog eyes makes its rounds to every one of us and made some new friends. Outstanding! Next we took a plunge into Ngemelis Wall. This shear wall looked like an artist pallet splashed with stunning color. The soft corals were painted with pastel pinks, purples, yellows and oranges. Sea fans that stretched out off the wall sheltered the stealthy long nose hawk fish.

Our next dive 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. We descended into a thick school of pyramid butterfly fish and patrolling reef sharks. We hooked in for a while and watched some reef sharks cruising by. We then unhooked and explored the plateau and came across a leaf scorpion fish, moray eel, coral crabs and two sleeping green turtles. Then a large school of blue lined snapper parted as we swam right through the middle of them on our way up to do our safety stop. A quick snack and we headed to German Channel. We started our dive at a beautiful pink anemone and then made our way to the cleaning station to see if any mantas would show up. It was not long before we spotted them above us feeding. Initially we saw only one, but when we moved closer to them it became clear that there were three! The manta rays performed a graceful manta ballet with barrel rolls being the dance of choice. With gaping mouths these majestic creatures would scoop up plankton while dancing for us, we thought. It is indescribable to imagine what is must be like to be completely surrounded by manta rays dancing all around you. This was a fantastic way to end the day.

Wednesday
A beautiful morning broke as the Palau Aggressor made passage over to Peleliu. We started our day exploring West Wall. Here the unmistakable yellow soft coral gets everyone’s attention. This stunning wall, which is very sheer, is filled with color and macro critters. A turtle causally swam by and hardly even noticed this gaggle of divers admiring him. Sharks cruised by us along the wall with pyramid butterfly fish and anthias scattered around us in the glistening sunrays. This was a thoroughly enjoyable dive.

We then 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 James showed us the US & Japanese memorial, amtracks, guns, Orange Beach and the 1000 man caves. What a touching tour. After lunch it was time to dive again. Famous for it’s strong currents, Peleliu Corner is not for the faint hearted. We started the dive by cruising along the wall where we were at the mercy of the current and simply enjoyed the life that passed us by. Turtle and grey reef sharks seemed to be the main attraction with oriental sweetlips sheltering from the current inside lettuce coral. We then armed our reef hooks and hooked in for a little while to enjoy a more stationary view of the sharks. We hooked in and flew the Peleliu Express. Sharks made some rather close passes and then right in front of where we hooked in a juvenile emperor angel fish started flapping about uncontrollably in the current. What a great find. The remaining part of the dive was enjoyed drifting along the plateau.

Snack and hammock time was followed by a tranquil dive at Barrack’s Point. This must have been the best visibility of the week. Gin clear water with light rays streaming down was an amazing sight. The reef lit up and marine life was plentiful.

The Palau Aggressor then made passage back to Carp Island to dive Turtle Cove for our night dive. This dive produced such a variety of beautiful colors with many polyps out feeding. Basketstars and nudis were all out on the town. This ended another great day in Palau.

Thursday
A beautiful morning broke and it was time for the famous Blue Corner. An encore dive at Blue Corner seemed appropriate and were we in for a treat. Similar action as before was enjoyed but it seemed obvious that the napoleon wrasse was the all time favorite. This lovely green fish with so much personality took all the attention and some great photos were taken. Back to Aggressor for some r & r and then the dive bell beckoned. Blue Holes was next. With beautiful visibility, 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. We then exited the holes through a large exit and drifted with the current along a stunning wall toward Blue Corner. This gave us a taste of the famous corner with large schools of snapper, barracuda, sharks and giant trevally all out and about.

After a well-deserved snack we headed to Turtle Cove. This great dive was enjoyed by all with rich colors scattered along the wall. A few turtle came out to play with the plethora of fish scattered along the edge of the wall. The photographers found it hard to leave the kaleidoscope of colors beckoning for just one more photograph to be taken. After another sumptuous snack it was time for Big Drop Off. This stunning wall brought us some amazing soft corals and sea fans. Nudis and flatworms were strolling about the reef as the hustle and bustle of the streaming fusiliers buzzed by. What a great day!

Friday
A beautiful day broke over Carp Island. After a tasty breakfast the dive skiff headed back to German Channel. This time we were met by 3 mantas at the cleaning station. These graceful creatures flew over the cleaning station to get their full service spa. What a wonderful sight watching the gentle giants parade in front of us. We then made our way to the mouth of the channel to see the school of scad and snapper with sharks cruising around them before enjoying a casual ride down the channel. Next up was the Virgin Blue Hole. This lovely dive encompasses a chimney swim through and an enchanting wall with canyons and gullies that provide plenty exploring opportunities. Stunning visibility and a plethora of tropical fish made this an exceptional dive.

Next we explored Dexter’s Wall. This colorful wall houses soft coral and some macro critters such as nudis, flatworms and scorpion fish. This dive was a tranquil and relaxing dive. Lunch followed and then it was time to re-explore Blue Corner. Repeated by popular demand, this dive was enjoyed as much the second time around. After dinner we all enjoyed watching the wonderful week’s diving with our weekly video.

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.

We would like to congratulate Patricia, Marcus, Shirin, Russel and Jerrol for completing their Nitrox certifications! Also, David and Darlynn celebrated 20 happy years of marriage on the Palau Aggressor, Congrats!

So the week comes to a close. All of us here on the Palau Aggressor wish all our friends a safe trip home and a speedy return to eating, sleeping and diving the Aggressor way!
Capt. Marc

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor II Captain’s Report Feb 17 – 24, 2013

The Palau Aggressor II welcomed aboard this week Nancy, Mark, Andrea, Dirk, Peter, Mathieu, Jane, David, Nancy, Richard, Anita, Louis, Pierre, Daniel and Markus. Sunday afternoon was spent settling in and in the evening the guests enjoyed a buffet style dinner prepared by Chef Cameron. It was early to bed as jet leg set in for most.

We started off our Monday morning making our way over to the Helmet Wreck, also known as the Depth Charge Wreck. Recently discovered in Palau in 1994 the Helmet Wreck gets its name from the WW II helmets that lay on the new coral garden that was once a depth charger. Dive master Andy was quick to spot the resident crocodile fish in the bow of the wreck. Upon surfacing we twisted and turned our way through the Rock Islands in the skiff and caught up with the big boat. As soon as the crew readied the tanks and we were back at it again on the Iro Maru. The Iro Maru is 470f/188m long and the stern tops off at 110 feet. The highlight of the Iro Maru is the plethora of Tomato Anemone and Anemone Fish that reside at 30f/10m towards the top of a mask beam. After lunch the boat was moved into the Rock Islands. We took our diving to a more secluded spot known as Wonder Channel. Wonder Wall is notorious for Banded Messmate Pipefish, often hard to find in Palau and in just one dive at Wonder Channel anywhere from 6 - 20 can be seen. Loly, our stewardess, delighted us holding a plate of treats upon arriving back at the boat. Our next dive was made at Clam City. Clam City was once a clam farm and giant clams, ranging from 2-4 feet, lay on the sandy bottom of this dive site.

Tuesday morning beaconed us with a blue-sky day. Early to rise, we made our way to Jellyfish Lake. Five minutes up concrete steps through the jungle opened up to millions of jellyfish in a mixture of a fresh and salt water lake that were following the sun through a great daily migration. Ngemelis Wall was a simply exquisite wall dive seeing black anemone fish, two giant moray eels, a turtle and sharks cruising underneath. Following a lunch break we started our reef hooking off at New Drop Off, a slightly smaller version of Blue Corner. The current was incoming at New Drop Off bringing the pelagic life of Gray Reef Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, schooling Barracuda, Black Triggerfish, Jacks and sleeping turtles. Following a snack and a break we hooked into Blue Corner on an outgoing current. Named the number 2 dive site in the world, Blue Corner did not disappoint. Three large Napoleon Wrasse greeted us as we made our way to the hook-in spot. Once we hooked in a beautiful show of White, Black and Greytip Reef Sharks, Tuna, schooling Jacks, Barracuda, Trevally, Blue Lined Snapper, and Black Triggerfish. Sometimes not knowing which way to look, hoping to not miss a moment of the action, Blue Corner is always a dive to remember.

Chef Cameron had dinner waiting when we arrived back at the boat; Lentil Soup, Green Salad, Lamb Curry or Seafood Peanut Curry on a bed of Brown Basamati Rice garnished with homemade Cranberry Mango Chutney. Desert was hard to resist, as it was a chocolate chip cookie pie! The sun set just as dinner was served and our group of full night divers took to the sea once again for a dark dip. We ended the night off with Turtle Cove. A beautiful wall dive by day becomes just as alluring at night. Feeding coral covered the wall, torches in hand we let the mild current carry us slowly past Hairy Crabs, Banded Boxer Shrimp, Marble Shrimp and a Squat Lobster perched on top a Black and White Feather Star. When we came over the plateau White Basket Stars stretched wide waiting for prey greeted us. Photo pro Ben was waiting for us back at the big boat with a cup of hot chocolate.

The engines were started up early Wednesday morning and we headed for Peleliu. During our crossing Dolphins dipped in and out of the wake of the bow. During breakfast we anchored inside a small lagoon and once anchored we headed for West Wall. West Wall is one of Palau's pristine wall dives. The soft coral is so abundant here. During our dive we saw schooling Blue Lined Snappers, Jacks, Bumphead Parrotfish, Anthias, and Squirrelfish. Grey, Black and Whitetip Reef Sharks paced back and forth below us, and we watched a turtle that went up for air above. Near the end of the dive we moved our way through a maze of wire coral.

As an alternative to the second dive the guests had the option to go on a WW II tour of Peleliu. In 1944 Peleliu was invaded by American and Japanese soldiers in a bloody battle that lasted for a grueling 28 days. First accounts of Peleliu say that there was no war like what was experienced while on Peleliu. While guests went on the WW II land tour the remaining divers did a second dive on West Wall. After lunch we made our way over to Barracks Point. Barracks Point starts as a wall dive and then begins to slop into a gorgeous soft and hard coral wall. The current pulled us along the coral wall, and it became a comfortable drift dive. We spotted an Eagle Ray during the wall portion. We slowed the pace at Orange Beach, given it's name from the colour of the water during the WW II envision of Peleliu. Divemaster Hector led us. Orange Beach has similar topography to Barracks Point. Hector is extremely talented at finding the often missed sea life; finding a Frogfish no more than 1 inch, and a juvenile Yellowtail Coris Wrasse. A Crocodile Flathead was found camouflaged on top a sandy bottom. Throughout the dive pieces of a now coral covered WW II landing craft can be found. Just before dinner we pulled anchor and made our way back to Turtle Cove. After dinner seven adventurous divers entered the water for round two of night diving. We took a short skiff ride over to Ngedebus Coral Garden, which is filled with long coral fingers stretched over a sandy bottom. Inside the coral we found sleeping Parrotfish, Hermit Crabs, Croucher Crabs, Lobsters and Banded Boxer Shrimp. A Crocodile Flathead was spot along with a Spotfin Lionfish.

Thursday we began the day earlier to beat the day boats to Blue Corner. We slowly made our way to the hook-in area seeing as many as ten Reef Sharks in the blue at one time. The current was very mild so we spent the dive exploring the plateau. Even when there isn't much current Blue Corner has a plethora of sea life. Three friendly Napoleon Wrasse followed us around like puppies while we searched for and found Nudibranchs, Octopus, Lionfish, Turtles, sleeping Whitetips, Eels, and Tuna. Our second dive was made at Virgin Blue Hole. The Holes max at 110 feet making for a beautiful photo opportunity for photo pro Ben to snap the guests falling into the Hole. We made our way along the slopping wall until we came across open swim throughs. Ben found a Ghost Pipefish camouflaged beside grass and a sandy bottom.

During lunch we moved the boat through German Channel and more than 30 Dolphins played in our wake during the transit. After lunch we dove German Channel and were greeted by two Mantas. Our fourth dive was made at Turtle Cove dropping into a coral hole. We began our dive at 75 feet and slowly made our way up the wall into the shallows. Once in the shallows we let the current glide us over a Glossodoris Nudibranch, Lionfish, Eels, Anemones, Anthias, Squarespot Anthias, Pufferfish and schooling fish in the blue. We opted for a dusk dive and headed to German Channel Coral Gardens. Two Crocodile Flatheads were found cuddling alongside Lionfish, sleeping Parrotfish, Pufferfish, Croucher Crabs and Nudibranchs. During the dusk dive the big boat made it's way to Ulong Island.

Friday morning we awoke anchored in front of Ulong Island, famous by the TV series “Survivor”. We began the day at Siaes Tunnel in search of Blue-black Pygmy Angelfish. The tunnel begins at 90 feet and exits at 105 feet to a wall with a display of schooling Blue Lined Snapper and Jacks. The blue is captivating on this dive, Reef sharks cruise back and forth below and you could spend the whole dive gazing into the blue for a glimpse of something large. The wall is equally as pleasing, finding Nudibranch, Flatworms, Juvenile Triggerfish, Anthias, Dartfish, Blennies, and Gobies. We came across a Turtle snacking on the coral wall. Our second dive was planned as a hook-in dive, however when we arrived the current was not present so we got unclose and personal with the plateau. Finding a Notodoris Serenae Nudibranch, a green Moray Eel and a Turtle. Our photographers were mesmerized by the schooling Banner fish, Blue Lined Snapper, Jacks, and Barracuda.

Following lunch we dove into Ulong Channel, starting our dive off with two Giant Clams covered in soft coral. The current was outgoing steadily drifting us down through the channel past the lettuce coral wall and out the mouth of the channel. To cap Friday off we went back to Ulong Coral Gardens, a similar typography to Ulong Channel covered in hard coral and sandy pockets. Sleeping Whitetips, a Giant Clam, Lionfish, Grey and Black Reef Sharks, Turtles and Nudibranchs ended a great day of diving.

Saturday we started up the engines and took the diving to Sandy Paradise, which has a large sand patch with a slopping coral head wall. Divemaster Andy found a Yellow Leaf Scorpionfish, making it a week for odd-shaped bottom dwellers. Our last and final dive of the week was made at Chandelier Cave. Outside of the cave the bottom is covered in patchy stag coral and during this dive we found Signal Gobies, Mandarin fish, and Pyjama Cardinals. Our evening ended with a cocktail party and a movie of the week. Our guests then spent the evening off the boat at nearby restaurants.

Sunday morning we finished our week with a continental breakfast. We then said our goodbyes and hoped that everyone would come back and see us soon on the Palau Aggressor II.

Congratulations to Jane, Anita, Daniel, and Peter for completing their Enriched Diver course, also to Markus for completing his Night Diver Certification, and Richard for completing his Underwater Photography specialty. Chef Cameron and Louis completed their 50^th dives and congrats also to Pierre for completing his 100th dive and to Mark for completing his 499^th dive!

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor Captain’s Report February 24 - March 2, 2013
Water temp: 81º F
Air Temp: 75-86º F
Visibility: 30 –100+ feet
Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Cameron, Agnes, Ben, Andy, Hector, & Sean

An amazing week of diving has commenced again and the Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Mike & Kathi, Joshua & Randi, Ian & Cheryl, Bryan & Crystal, and Alan, & John. After a quick orientation and gear set up, our guests made themselves comfortable in their staterooms, dined on a fabulous dinner, and then received a peaceful night’s rest onboard.

Monday
Sleepy eyes and excited voices were seen and heard early as we enjoyed Chef Cameron’s breakfast spread and greeted the day. The Helmet Wreck welcomed us with calm conditions and good visibility. On the wreck we found an impressive amount of soft and hard coral growth that housed artifacts such as depth charges, Japanese helmets (from which the wreck takes its name), and of course the diverse macro life such as nudibranchs, crabs, and shrimp. What a fantastic checkout dive. The wreck of the Iro Maru was next on our list. This 470-foot wreck allowed us to spread out and explore the deck features. The impressive bow gun encrusted with coral and the elaborate deck structures that housed many lovely fish and clams gave us another lovely wreck dive. During a predictably delicious lunch we journeyed over to Ulong Island where we got our first taste of the impressive shark action as we tied into and later drifted the Ulong Channel just before sunset. This gorgeous channel twisted and turned through painted soft and hard corals of pinks, purples, yellows and oranges. Flying over the giant bed of lettuce coral we finally emerged at the famous giant clams. Simply stunning!

Tuesday
Continuing to be graced with excellent conditions we journeyed to Ulong's outer reef to explore two sites. First, was Siaes Tunnel. This was our first swim through cavern, which led us out into the sunlit, warm waters full of thousands of reef fish, several turtles, and moray eels. The second site was the well-known Siaes Corner. This was another 'hook-in' dive, which enabled us to hover motionless and watch sharks effortlessly gliding by. Returning to the boat we enjoyed a bountiful meal as we motored to our afternoon dive locations. Continuing our quest for shark we jumped in the crystal waters of the famous Blue Corner to be delighted by fearless grey reef sharks just an arm’s length away, coupled with the playful Napoleon wrasses that are ever inquisitive and ready to investigate. Just when we though it couldn't get any better we returned to the ship to see the dive plan for German Channel colorfully drawn on the dive planning board. Here we were blessed with elusive manta rays feeding just below the surface. Swooping between and around us, what an amazing treat! Later, for the brave few who ventured out into the blackness, the German Channel Coral Gardens night dive produced some bewildering creatures, including transparent shrimp, feathered anemones, and even a sleeping white tip shark!

Wednesday
What better a way to wake up then to descend into the wide open holes on the top of the reef that all lead down into the giant cavern of Blue Holes. Early morning light rays showered down on us through the sunroof we had previously occupied, creating an angelic atmosphere for us to play in. Disco clams were spotted. After exploring the cavern we exited and scoured the connected wall for small critters, and marveled at a massive school of pyramid butterfly fish. Our second dive adventure of the day took us to New Drop Off. This dive, considered a mini-Blue Corner by some, offers fantastic pelagic action. We descended into a thick school of surgeonfish and patrolling reef sharks. With little current we enjoyed an easy float watching the blue water bounty, and a casual drift along the plateau.
A light lunch and heavy hammock time later, and we were off to Turtle Cove. This dive has something for everyone. We started the dive penetrating a chimney that popped us out at 70 foot off the wall to then discover nudibranchs and flatworms along the wall. Further along the wall we found ourselves in a forest of beautiful soft coral exhibiting a kaleidoscope of colors. Finally, towards the end of the dive, the turtles came out to play. Both green and hawksbill turtles were swimming off the wall, feeding and some taking their afternoon nap, heads resting in the coral. Surfacing, it was time once again, to explore Blue Corner. From the moment we hit the water we were greeted by a plethora of black snappers, barracuda and blue lined snapper on the edge of the wall. With a mild current, we hooked in but lazily floated back in forth just as the grey reef and white tip reef sharks started making their territory and skill known. Then our rather affable Napoleon wrasse beckoned for attention as he made his way to each of us demanding his photograph be taken. Unhooking to swim across the plateau, we came across grouper, a massive school of pyramid butterfly fish and countless anthias and other reef fish. Unfortunately this amazing dive had to end at some point; after all it was time to eat again. With the sun setting low on the horizon we feasted on Chef Cameron's palate scintillating meal, and hatched a plan to night dive Turtle Cove. There, in the cover of darkness, we rediscovered the meaning of color, and were fortunate enough to see firsthand the giant basket stars, with their fans open to the current and our cameras.

Thursday
Morning broke with a wonderful sunrise as the Palau Aggressor made its way to Peleliu Island. Peleliu Corner was our first dive of the day. Famous for its strong and unpredictable currents, Peleliu Corner is not for the faint hearted. Cruising along the wall unperturbed we saw signs of shark action ahead, it was then that the current picked up dramatically, as we hustled to hook in to the prime viewing area. Water racing past us as we sat calm and comfortable on our hooks, sharks putting on an impressive display, zooming this way and that, seeming to take as much pleasure in the opportunity as we did.
Deciding to rest our gills and to stretch our legs, we left the watery world and embarked on a land tour of Peleliu. This exceptionally interesting tour took us back in time to September 1944 when the US Marines stormed the beaches of Peleliu. Our guide Godwin had a wealth of knowledge to share with us and showed us the US & Japanese memorial, amtracks, guns, Orange Beach and the 1000 man caves. Through the jungle, the dive bell tolled for thee. To the delight of many, Orange Beach was next on the agenda. Littered with relics and artifacts of the Second World War, we could feel the weight of history holding us down rather than the weight of the water. More amtracks, unexploded bombs, handheld machine guns, and its rounds, even anchors and bits of forcefully wrenched metal, all encrusted with coral. What was once a war zone has now become a beautiful and fascinating dive site. As the sun sets red on the horizon, we motor north for a night dive in Ngedebus Coral Gardens to see sleeping parrot fish, lion fish, and even a leopard shark!

Friday
Our thirst for pelagic animals not yet quenched we plan an ambitious day. Starting things off right, we descend again into the coral playground of German Channel. After only a few minutes of searching, our efforts are rewarded with graceful manta rays! They circle the group a few times, looking each of us over, eye to eye, and when they seem satisfied with our presence, they hovered over pre-arranged coral heads to have tiny fish pick them clean. Stunning! Drifting down the channel, sharks are alerted to a meal as a giant yellow fin tuna made a snack out of an unfortunate passing fish. As all these predators came rushing past us, you couldn't help but think about how amazing this underwater world is, and how lucky we are to bear witness to these beautiful creatures. After a refreshing snack onboard, we transition into cavern diving mode, as we head out to Virgin Blue Hole. This dive started with a deep swim through chimney that popped us out on the wall at 85 feet. Then the leisurely cruise along the wall found us exploring other small canyons and valleys of stag horn and tabletop corals. What a great dive!

A long relaxing float down Dexter's Wall was our next location. This peaceful dive with its sheer wall graced us with turtles, nudibranchs, and anemones with their playful anemone fish. Rainbow runners, black snappers, and more butterfly fish kept us company as we cruised by. Completing this day with a bang was once again, the undisputed shark diving champion site of Palau, Blue Corner. This time the current was at an all time high, and a little more work on our part paid off in a big way, as we easily hung onto our reef hooks, while hungry sharks aggressively flew through the currents in search of Moorish idols, surgeon fish, or anything else unlucky enough to be caught in their crosshairs. Our newfound friend, the Napoleon wrasse made his appearance once again, to beg for attention and photographs, and of course play games with anyone willing! Big predators, big corals, and big meals. Truly an amazing week thus far, but we're not done yet!

Saturday
Proud of Palau's variety of life and of diving, we complete this unforgettable week with two spectacular events. Early Saturday morning, boat having spent the night in the Rock Islands, the bell rings out, waking up even the cheery birds that haven't yet begun their hunt for the fabled worm. We will be the first ones to venture into the warm waters of the one and only Jellyfish Lake. A short, but scenic skiff ride takes us to the dock, built right into the side of one of the Rock Islands. A short hike over the rain forest hill finds us at the shores of a lake that some may only believe if they see for themselves. Millions of stingless jellyfish pace the sun across the surface of the lake. And as this slow-motion race plays out, we wallow in their soft bells and relish the sight of the pink jellies contrasted against the stratified greens and blues of the clear lake water. Our second adventure that day was the silent and still world of Chandelier Caves. Contrasting heavily against the sunbeams of the lake, these caves are hidden to sunlight, and only with the help of an underwater flashlight, can this world of glittering stalactites be seen and photographed. Exploring these caves was a wonderful way to end an already fantastic weeks diving in Palau.

All of us here on the Palau Aggressor wish our friends a safe trip home and a speedy return to eating, sleeping, and diving, the Aggressor way!

Sulang!
Capt. Marc

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor II Captain’s Report March 3 – 10, 2013

Water temp: 82º F
Air Temp: 75-88º F
Visibility: 40 –100+ feet
Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Cameron, Agnes, Ben, Andy, Hector, & Sean

Sunday
An amazing week of diving has commenced again and the Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Bruce & Johrita, Bob & Lesley, Dan & Jan, Greg & Kay, Tom, Phil, Mary, Pam, Gianna, Martha, Trish, & Rob. Chipper voices and excited laughs filled the boat as our guests boarded their home away from home for the next week. After meeting the crew and being plied with our delicious food and drink, our guests settled in for a peaceful night in port.

Monday
Voting to begin the week with a reef check out dive, we motored out to the famous Ulong Island for a dive in its magnificent Coral Gardens. Greeting us to the Palaun underwater world were reef sharks, turtles, and even a giant clam! A short reprieve with snacks and drinks later, we proceeded to the outer reef, to Siaes Corner. We stepped off the boat, and into the shark’s dining room. Stalking a school of blue lined snapper, was an excited grey reef shark, visibly excited and pained at his forced patience for a fish to make a mistake. It carved back and forth following the would-be meal out into the distance. As we ascended the wall and explored the coral-filled plateau, several horned nudibranchs and even a cleverly camouflaged scorpionfish were found and photographed! Ending our first day at sea with a relaxing dive around the diverse sloping reef of Sandy Paradise, we were surrounded by a seemingly never ending group of crescent-tailed big eyes with several ambitious barracudas not-so-stealthily on their tails, and even a shy leaf fish!

Tuesday
Making the most of our location and advantage over daily commuter vessels, we plunged into the well-known Ulong Channel soon after sun up. Hooking ourselves into the rocky mouth of the channel we were treated to our first taste of Palau’s ‘up close and personal’ shark action! As the incoming current slid past us, we comfortably hovered in place and watched the show. As the sharks slowly became more and more comfortable with our presence, the exhalation bubbles from our excited divers became larger and larger as the sharks passed closer and closer. At least a dozen grey reef sharks repeatedly criss-crossing almost within an arm’s reach! Deciding to explore the end of the false channel, we were treated to a bird’s eye view of the coral reef as we drifted with the current over countless fish and corals, ending at the famous pair of giant clams.

After returning to the boat for hot showers and snacks, we discovered to current to be favorable for a second dive in this wonderful site! Needless to say, all on board voted to jump on this opportunity!

Third dive of the day on was New Drop Off. A wall dive we drifted first, and then hooked in to the wall, right in the middle of a large school of pyramid butterfly fish. Trying our best to blend in, we watched several turtles, a black tip shark, and a free-swimming moray eel all pass by us with cursory and quizzical looks. Our tanks significantly lighter and eyes exponentially brighter, we returned to the surface to regroup before a sunset, and later a night dive, both at Ngedebus Wall. A polychromatic wall with excellent visibility, we scoured this dramatic topography of sheer face wall for macro life. Nudibranchs, flatworms, and leaf scorpionfish were all discovered.

A gourmet dinner courtesy of the talented Chef Cameron later, we contrasted the daytime setting with the changes that darkness brought about. Tucked into their mucous cocoon were sleeping parrotfish, hiding their scent from predators. Orange polyps emerged to filter feed the lazy currents, which brought in bioluminescence. The fireflies of the water world, they flicker hues of blue and green in the wake of our waving arms and fins. Highlighting the dive was a truly massive marbled grouper. Using our flashlights as a dinner menu he could order from, we watched him let our light fall up crustaceans and smaller fish alike, as he struck at lightning speed, truly amazing!

Wednesday - Big Animal Day!
Our plan: surround ourselves with massive groups of pelagic. Starting our day off right, we take the five-minute skiff ride out to the famous Blue Corner. From the moment we entered the water, grey reef sharks seemed as interested in us as we were of them. Passing easily by us in the medium current, were also schools of midnight snappers, brazenly putting faith in the relative safety their sheer numbers brought to them as they passed close by their would-be assassins. Also keeping us company on the dive were solitary barracudas, scattered jacks, and of course the Napoleon Wrasse, ever demanding of our attention and affection. Dive two; we sought out a more elusive prey. German Channel is well known for its manta ray encounters, and it was here where we motored to with our hopeful hearts and greedy cameras. After a few minutes swim across the side of the channel, we arrived at the manta rays’ cleaning station. Kneeling on the sandy bottom we waited, and were rewarded. A manta, swooping in from the surface, performed a perfect overhead pass, swerving up from its kamikaze dive at the last second, passing inches from our faces! Another manta ray decided to stay with us for several minutes, dancing graceful with its long fins, back and forth across our masks, what success! As usual, our stomachs as well as our empty tanks convinced us to return to the boat for a restful surface interval where plates and bowls were emptied, hammocks were filled.

Awakened from the afternoon naps by the dive bell, guests slipped into wetsuits, listened to the dive briefing, and jumped into the wonderful world of Turtle Cove. This peaceful dive offered us turtles, orangutan crabs, a jellyfish flapping in the current, as well as anemones and their energetic denizens, the anemone fish. This leisurely dive sitting well with us, we decided to end on a slightly more aggressive note. After all, this is the Aggressor J It was back to Blue Corner. With the switching direction of the current, we drifted the opposite side of the corner. True to its reputation, dozens of sharks awaited our arrival. Also spotted was a peacock mantis shrimp and a large tuna fish swimming, and nearly dwarfing, the sharks. Storm clouds rolled over as we returned to the mothership, and soon after we arrived the rains broke out. Undeterred by the weather, our warm and well-lit salon was filled with gourmet aromas, laughter, and stories of the day’s dives.

Thursday
Rising early, the crew pushed off from the mooring, and motored south to Peleliu. In this land dripping with history, we followed the drops into the sea. Sun barely peeking, we back rolled into the West Wall. Expecting excellence and receiving nothing less, two spotted eagle rays flew by our group at incredible speed and with awesome agility. Minutes later, a large number of humphead parrotfish glided by, destination unknown to us, but the seemed to have a plan. Also seen were turtles, flatworms, blue water sharks, and a ten-foot long anemone. Peleliu Corner is a must see for those capable divers who are up for its unpredictable currents. Reward usually high for the work put out, we hooked in and let the parade begin. Shark after shark passed slowly by, but it was not candy and jovial waves they threw to their crowd, it was tremors of excitement and pangs of jealousy at their far superior power and mastery of all things water.

Resupplying again with food, drink, and Nitrox, Orange Beach was targeted, this time for a peaceful invasion. With seemingly redundant pockets full of lead, the weight of history compelled us downwards to the reef below. Littered with wreckage from World War II including amtracks, machine guns, 50 caliber rounds, and even unexploded bombs, this coral encrustation told the violent story of battles past. Cuttlefish and a dragon wrasse were discovered along the way, as well as another fortunate encounter with a spotted eagle ray! A relaxing drift was planned for the next dive, an evening exploration of Barracks Point. Dependable for excellent visibility, colorful staghorn, sea fans, and tabletops, we reveled in the late afternoon light and played with several friendly turtles.

Motoring north for the evening dive, a return trip to Turtle Cove was planned. As usual, as soon as we returned to the ship we were surrounded with our fill of good food and good company. Then, for the brave few, we plunged into the now black waters at Turtle Cove. Giant basket stars, more cuttlefish, sleeping parrotfish ensconced in their camouflaging mucous membrane, and an entire continental shelf full of orange polyps filter feeding on passing currents.

Friday
A topographer’s dream, Blue Holes is breath taking for its sunlit sunroof holes, allowing for heavenly ambiance in which to explore the nooks and crannies of the cave herself. Disco clam lighting up our dance floor, Indo-Pacific lionfish moving and grooving with dartfish were our friends until our party was over. Drifting along the wall outside the mouth of the cave, Napoleon wrasse came to greet us to their home, what charming hosts.

Our guests and crew alike, voting for one last dive at the famous Blue Corner turned out to be in for a real treat. In addition to the now assumed company of predatory sharks and faithful Napoleons, our dive was graced with a banded sea snake, poking along the nooks and crannies of the reef directly under our reef hooks! When we thought things couldn’t possibly get better, we unhooked and drifted the plateau, only to discover that we were wrong. Massive school of barracudas laid in ambush down current, moral eels holed up and grinning out at us, a bed of lettuce coral, and several hungry turtles, lined up as if in buffet. What a remarkable dive.

Another topography wonder, Big Drop Off was selected after lunch was served. This sheer wall drop off is situated barely twenty feet off the coast of a nearby island, so close that if you were to stand on the reef, your head would be in the trees! Seen here were more grey reef sharks, a passing tuna fish, spotted moray eel, and several nudibranchs. For the final dive of the day, German Channel was the popular choice. Black and white tip sharks, turtles, and a spotted eagle ray, laying in the sand foraging for food posed dramatically for us.

Saturday
Proud of Palau's variety of underwater life and unique diving conditions, we complete this terrific week with two spectacular events. Early in the morning, the boat having spent the night off the coast of the Rock Islands, we will be the first ones to dive into the warm, stratified waters of the one and only Jellyfish Lake. A scenic skiff ride takes us to the dock, where a hike over the rain forest hill finds us at the shores of a lake that some may only believe first hand. Millions of stingless jellyfish swim across the lake in a daily migration. And as this slow-motion pursuit plays out, we swim across and through their soft bells and delight in the sight of the pink jellies floating in the green, clear lake water. Our second adventure this final day was the silent and still world of Chandelier Caves. Contrasting heavily against the last location of the lake, these caves are hidden to sunlight, and only with the help of a torch, can this world of glittering stalactites be seen and photographed. Exploring these caves was a wonderful way to end an already fantastic weeks diving in Palau.

All of us here on the Palau Aggressor wish our friends a safe trip home and a speedy return to ‘Eating, Sleeping, and Diving’, the Aggressor way!

Sulang!
Crew of the Palau Aggressor

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor II Captain’s Report March 10-17, 2013

Water temp: 84º F
Air Temp: 86-92º F
Visibility: 60–110+ feet

Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Cameron, Agnes, Sean, Ben & Hector

Sunday
A wonderful week of Palauan diving has dawned upon us. The Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Fred, Veronique & Jean Pierre, Sarah & Markus, Lionel, Stephane, Jean Philippe, Sonia, Emmanuel, Eric and Roberto. After a delightful dinner we followed with the safety orientation and were off to bed for a peaceful night’s rest.

Monday
Flat calm conditions inspired us to head out toward the Teshio Maru to set the stage for a wonderful day’s diving. And that it was. This marvelous check out dive is a favorite wreck dive for many visitors. 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 spade fish and a turtle, unperturbed by our presence, casually swam by. What a fabulous checkout 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!

After a short journey we arrived at Ngemelis Island and splashed into Ngemelis Wall. This amazing little dive site has a little something for everyone. Here we found nudibranchs and flatworms, turtles and sharks. A little down time followed and then the dive bell rang. New Drop Off was up next. This delightful dive gave us reef sharks off the wall and batfish curiously swimming up to us. Nudibranchs and flatworms were seen in the shallows with anthias and fusiliers whizzing by us. This was a great way to end a wonderful day’s diving.

Tuesday
We woke up this morning in the German Channel area, had a small breakfast then headed out to Blue Holes for our first dive. Blue Holes is always a great dive. We all saw the disco clam in the back of the cavern. The always-friendly napoleon wrasse joined us in the cavern. We then exited the cavern with wall on the left. Ben found a thin ghost pipefish in a small hole as we drifted along towards Blue Corner. We passed a lot of sharks before the hook in area, but today there was no need to hook in so we drifted across the top of the plateau and surfaced. When we arrived back at the big boat, hot breakfast was ready. Our second morning dive was Turtle Cove, a popular macro dive. We saw the normal critters, nudi’s, flatworms, and had a great encounter with a spinner dolphin. As the divers drifted around the corner, in the blue were snappers, grey reef sharks and barracuda. Lunch that day was served al fresco style around our bar.

Next dive was the world famous Blue Corner and it was at the start of the incoming current. All 12 divers did their back roll with reef hooks at the ready and a great dive awaited them. Blue Corner lived up to its reputation, with sharks, jacks, snapper, barracuda, and much more. We performed our advance hooking method and re-hooked in at the deep hook in area. We watched sharks pass inches away from our cameras, and all three napoleon wrasse came to say ‘hello’ to all the divers. This time, as we came back to the big boat, Agnes greeted us with an awesome snack prepared by Chef Cameron.
We had some time to relax as we waited for the day boat operators to leave German Channel, we did not want to share the mantas with other dive groups. We did our back roll into a nice incoming current and headed towards the first cleaning station. As we got there we could see that, in the strong current, the mantas were close to the surface feeding. We had a great show with only 1 manta. As she was feeding all the divers were able to get very close to her. Captain Marc then moved the big boat into Wonder Channel as the night divers got ready. The night dive was at Clam City, another great macro dive. A lot of different types of nudi’s, shrimps, crabs, and of course a plethora of giant clams were seen by the night divers. Dinner was served after the night dive, and after all the guests were tired out from an exciting, action-packed day.

Wednesday
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.

We then made passage to Peleliu. Our next adventure takes us to Orange Beach. This wonderful sloping wall housed numerous nudibranchs and flatworms and we encountered large schools of snapper. This was a very relaxing and enjoyable dive. We then 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.

We then decided to explore Peleliu Corner. Famous for it’s currents, Peleliu Corner is not for the faint-hearted. We started the dive by cruising along the wall where we were at the mercy of a mild current and simply enjoyed the life that passed us by. Turtle and grey reef sharks seemed to be the main attraction. 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. Our nocturnal delight was found with a night dive at Turtle Cove with crabs, nudibranchs and lobsters out and about. A great way to end the day.

Thursday
This morning we started the day with an early dive at German Channel. We started the dive on the Peleliu side and went across the mouth of the channel, two mantas swam up behind us and passed us bye. We meet up with them at the cleaning station where the two mantas put on a great show. As the mantas were getting cleaned, two horned rays played around in the sand in front of us. We spent most of the dive watching the mantas, as we started to drift into the channel a huge yellow fin tuna passed us. There were a lot of grey reef sharks swimming after the bait ball of scads and even an octopus in the channel. We arrived back to the big boat and a hot breakfast was ready. For our next dive we went out to Virgin Blue Hole. This is a great dive site with a hole that goes straight down from the shallows to 100 feet and an exit tunnel that puts you out at the wall. Hector found a thin ghost pipefish as the divers exited the tunnel with wall on the right. The wall turns into canyons with a nice archway. After the dive we sat down to a great lunch and relaxing surface interval.

For dive #3 we had an option, New Drop Off or Blue Corner. As we headed out on the skiff we only saw a few day boats at Blue Corner so we decided to go there. It was great timing we did not see any other divers underwater, as for the dive itself, Blue Corner never disappoints. Nice current on the incoming side used our reef hooks, sharks passing in the blue, napoleon wrasse behind us, and much, much more. Agnes greeted us with a plate of chocolate chip cookies freshly made by Chef Cameron when we returned from the dive. With a nice surface interval the guests were sound asleep in the hammocks upstairs on the sundeck. After a bit of siesta-time New Drop Off was our next dive location. It was still an incoming current, and it was flowing strong. We did our back rolls and drifted wall on the right to the hook in area. Once we were hooked in the sharks were coming really close in the strong current. A little off the wall, in the blue, a large school of black snapper seemed to stay in one place without having to move a fin in the strong current. The resident green sea turtles were found on the corner in their normal sleeping spots, the school of blue lined snapper always make for a great photo or video opp. It was an exciting day of diving, everyone was too tired to do the night dive, and so we started moving the big boat towards Ulong during dinner.

Friday
Morning broke and we enjoyed the underwater sights of Ulong Channel. The famous channel produced numerous sharks and jacks cruising by the mouth of the channel. As we reached the channel there seemed to be no current but the show continued with reef sharks coming in pretty close. After watching the action for some time we headed into the channel and enjoyed the prolific coral life. Sleeping white tips in the sand scurried as we approached them. Groupers galore darted into their coral homes as we swam by. Then as we started our ascent a large school of bump head parrot fish cruised by. After a little hammock time the dive bell beckoned and Siaes Tunnel was next. 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 pygmy 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. When we returned the Palau Aggressor ‘Pizzeria’ was open.

A little down time was followed by a trip to Siaes Corner. This awesome dive started with good visibility and not long after we descended a turtle appeared and remained with us for the better part of the dive. We discovered a couple of coral crabs and a moray to end this lovely dive. For our late afternoon plunge we headed to Ulong Gardens. As the name suggests, the coral life found at this site is phenomenal. Again we were greeted with great visibility and prolific coral formations from tabletop corals to soft corals in every imaginable color. A large bait ball caught our attention and then a spectacular jellyfish drifting in the blue had everyone mesmerized. This wonderful dive concluded the days diving. Dinner and a movie followed where we reminisced fondly on what a wonderful week we had.

Saturday
We work up this morning in Malakal Harbor had a nice relaxing breakfast then headed out to the Jake Sea Plane for our first dive. On the way to the plane we stopped at two locations were the Japanese had fortified positions with machine gun posts and a large gun pointing towards the west passage. This wreck is inside the lagoon so we timed the dive perfect with an incoming current so the visibility was the best it could be. The plane sits in about 45 feet of water. The tail section is broken off so the divers could see into the plane. All three seating areas, the windows are open so the divers could see into the cockpit. On the way back from the dive, it was full high tide; we were able to check out our secret sea snake spot. There were 4 sea snakes sleeping on the rocks, and 2 were slithering around!

For our last dive of the charter we went to Chandelier Cave. This dive is a perfect way to end a great week of diving being a nice shallow dive through the cave and a muck dive outside looking for mandarin fish, nudi’s, razor fish, signal gobies, flatworms, and even a cuttlefish hanging out in the coral garden. Now it’s the saddest part of the charter for most guests, time to break down their gear and hang it up to dry, but hopefully not for long. Join us again soon on the Palau Aggressor II or check out any other of the great destinations with Aggressor Fleet & Dancer Fleet.

Until next time, always take care, safe diving, and as the locals say here in Palau, Sulang.

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor Captain’s Report March 17-24, 2013

Water temp: 81º F
Air Temp: 75-86º F
Visibility: 30 –100+ feet
Crew: Capt. Marc, Chef Cameron, Hector, Loly, Adam, and Sean

Sunday
Another week of Palauan diving has begun again and the Palau Aggressor is happy to welcome onboard Randy & Pat, Jim & Amy, Bill & Evie, Mike & Kasey, Karen & Nancy, Larry & Jan, Bob & Laura, Don, and David! We welcome our “Rec Divers” friends and Mario & Helene hailing all the way from France. After a quick orientation and a delicious meal, our guests tucked into a peaceful night’s rest onboard.

Monday
Early Monday morning our engines fired up and our adventure was under way. With the early morning light streaming over green, mushroom shaped islands; we plotted our course for Ulong Island. A 'humdinger' of a check out dive,

Ulong Channel offered us close quarter shark action, pristine coral reef, and its famous giant clams at the far end of the channel. After regrouping on the mothership, eating a light snack, we took our surface interval on the nearby beach, made famous for its appearance on TV show Survivor Palau. Second dive of the day took us out to Siaes Corner, yet another hook in dive situated on the outer reef. From this vantage point we uncovered a plethora of macro life, including several nudibranchs, a cleverly camouflaged scorpionfish, and a flatworm! Not to be outmatched, several turtles and a massive school of midnight snapper vied for our attention as well, as we cruised down the reef.

To complete our afternoon, we poked our noses in the nooks and crannies of Ulong Coral Gardens. And as the sun sank low, it provided us with soft lighting to view and video the spectacular coral beds, sleeping white tip sharks, and schooling barracudas.

Tuesday
So mesmerized were we with Ulong Channel that we decided to revisit the site first thing in the morning. Without disappointment, we were once again surrounded by fearless grey reef sharks surfing the incoming current, marbled groupers shooting out of our path as we drifted by, and the ever-amazing patch of lettuce coral taking up an entire side of the reef! Beginning to show off our diversity of diving here in Palau, the overhead environment of Siaes Tunnel was visited next. Dropping down the wall towards the tunnel entrance, lights popped on in anticipation. As soon as we entered the cavernous swim through, we were treated to the extremely rare and usually deep-living blue-backed pygmy angelfish! Banner fish swam upside down on the ceiling and large branches of black coral grew through out the cave, then we were back in the clear blue water, exploring the vertical wall for all of Palau's bugs and critters! Keeping to our pattern of eat, relax, dive, repeat.

We dined on a light lunch, courtesy of Chef Cameron before heading out to New Drop Off. Considered to be a miniature Blue Corner by most, this dive offered us excellent shark action, as well as several hundred schooling pyramid butterfly fish! To slow things down a little bit, and prepare ourselves for the night dive on the same sight, we visited Ngemelis Wall for our late afternoon dive as well as our night dive. The daylight dive offering us excellent soft corals, nudibranchs, and copious amounts of squirrelfish and triggerfish, while the night revealed a hunting octopus!

Wednesday
With our LiveAboard’s advantage, we awoke to find a deserted German Channel in our backyard! Leaping on this opportunity to own one of the most versatile sites in Palau, we slipped into our wetsuits and plunged into the mouth of this man-made channel. Grey reef sharks occupied the cleaning stations this morning, so we watched the daring fish darting into the most famous jaws in the ocean before we turned down into the channel herself. Beautiful tabletop corals, staghorn, and sea fans gleamed brilliantly in the morning light and we regretted having to return to the surface to top off tanks and stomachs. Soon again, it was time for Turtle Cove. Dropping down the chimney style swim through, and out onto the sheer wall, and a manta ray is there to greet us! Slowly gliding by, staying with us for several minutes, showing off its grace and ease of motion, it was difficult not to be jealous of its abilities.

After lunch, New Drop Off provided us yet again with a slow motion parade of sharks crossing our reef hooks, and turtles with their heads buried in the coral seeking out an easy meal. Just when we thought that our day could get no better, we return to the ship to see Blue Corner on the schedule for the late afternoon dive. Always a treat, Blue Corner is famous for its shark encounters, but also for its abundance of life. Nearly stealing the show from the passing pelagics, Napoleon wrasse demanded our attention much like a puppy dog, as they would sprint from one diver to the next seeking to play and be photographed. Ending our spectacular diving day with an equally abundant meal, the daring few ventured out to the night dive, once again to Turtle Cove. Amazingly, yet another octopus was spotted, as well as sleeping parrotfish, groupers, and several lionfish!

Thursday
This morning we again opted for the fantastic site of Blue Corner. We slowly made our way to the hook-in area; once we arrived we rendezvous more than 10 reef sharks!

Once arriving back at the big boat we fired up our engines and motored down to the island of Peleliu. Peleliu Corner forms the boundary between the Pacific and Philippine Sea. We made three dives here in Peleliu. During our second dive on Peleliu Corner, some of our guests opted to go on the land tour. Peleliu was home to one of the bloodiest battles in the North Pacific.

Motoring north after the fourth dive, we returned to the German Channel area for the night dive at Ngedebus Coral Gardens.

Friday
First dive of the day was Blue Holes. This site offers four holes leading down into one giant cavern. The main attraction here is an electric disco clam hidden in the corner, pulsating blue lights across its shell. Dexter's Wall offered us diverse macro life with colorful nudibranchs and a dancing flatworm.

By popular demand, we returned to Blue Corner. Blue Corner is known for bringing in an abundance of pelagics, this particular dive was one for the logbooks. Roughly 30 minutes into the dive our Divemaster Hector noticed an extremely rare hammerhead shark cruising just off the wall pursuing the schooling Moorish idols.

Saturday
Saturday capped off our week with a Rock Island tour, a snorkel through the millions of migrating jellyfish at Jellyfish Lake, and a final dive in the photogenic Chandelier Cave.

We would like to thank all of our guests for joining us for an amazing week of scuba diving and hope to see you all again very soon!

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor II Captain’s Report March 24 – April 7, 2013
Special 14 night charter

Welcome on board the Palau Aggressor II for a special 2-week charter. We started picking up the guests at 4pm on March 24^th. We welcomed Josser and Angela, Eric, Laurnt, Rich, Don, Lynne and Jim, Mike and Beverly, Susan and Mike, Mark and Kathy, Chris and Kathy, Marta, and Catherin. We have a full boat of 18 for this special charter. Everyone got settled into their cabins and set up their dive equipment. Then Chef Cameron set the bar high on the first night for dinner we had roast pork tenderloin, chicken and veggies and mashed potatoes with green salad and rice. We then did our formal introductions and covered the safety briefing. After the briefing, most of the guests headed to bed, so they could wake up early on Monday to start their adventure.

We started the engines early on Monday and left Malakal Harbor. For the first week we traveled north. Besides the first check out dive, all the diving up north is exploratory diving. We have planned a couple of dive sites, but the rest are all new dive sites. Along the way we stopped at the Teshio Maru, for the first dive. This is a large wreck, around 300 feet long, lying on its starboard side. It’s heavily damaged just aft of the wheel house. The divers were able to swim through the cargo holds, wheel house, and some other compartments. Black coral bushes cover most of the wheel house. We came across two common lionfish, as they were herding the glassy eyed sweepers, trying to catch a meal. We climbed back on the skiff and Loly met us with some chocolate chip cookies when we arrived at the big boat. In between dives the big boat continued its voyage north. Our next dive location was West Passage. This is a channel where all the big cargo ships enter the shallow reefs of Palau. We dropped in and drifted down the channel with wall on the left. This was a great macro dive with flatworms and nudi’s. Also we were greeted by 7 hawksbill turtles. Back at the big boat, lunch was ready, gumbo soup, and assorted grilled cheese sandwiches.

As the guests were having lunch the big boat made it to Ngardmau Bay. We anchored here for the rest of the night. For the third dive we went out to Ngardmau Coral Garden. This dive site was a beautiful hard coral garden. For this dive we started on the outside reef and the current pushed us into the channel. In the sandy area in the bottom of the channel the divers spotted a feather tail ray lying in the sand. We were able to get somewhat close to him before he took off. A couple of turtles along the way and some nudi’s and a scorpion fish. Loly again was waiting for us to come back to the big boat with a plate of hummus. For the last dive of the day we started on the inside of Ngardmau Channel and drifted out. This dive site is also known as Devil Fish City. As we drifted along we stopped at a large coral head that has been known as a manta cleaning station, we did not get any mantas at that but we have more chances later in the two weeks. We did find a crocodile fish that was big, about 3 feet long. That was the end of a great day of diving and we were ready for dinner. Chef Cameron had two great options for dinner that night; flank steak and seared tuna, most of the guests could not choose just one and opted for the ½ and ½ choice.

Tuesday morning started with a beautiful red sky and a delicious French toast breakfast prepared by Chef Cameron. The diving started off with a bang as we made a return visit to Ngardmau Channel. We were treated to an appearance of four mantas and during their visit we had a guest appearance of a large silvertip shark estimated at 9ft in length. After this thrilling dive we were able to meet up with the rangers of the marine preserve near Ngerlong to discuss where they would allow us to dive. The site they chose for us was the Eliib Channel. At this dive site we witnessed the titan triggerfish growing feisty as they began nesting. We left their company and made our way into a beautiful coral garden densely packed. Amongst it we found nudibranchs and dragonets. We also were treated to congregations of banner fish as well as Moorish idols. Towards the end of the dive we were treated to the appearance of a large white tip reef shark hunting in the shallows. After this dive we returned to the vessel and hunted for our lunch. We were not disappointed as Cameron had a fine spread of BBQ waiting.

Our next dive was lead by Captain Ike at Comuran Channel. Here we were able to find the beautiful juvenile bi-color parrotfish, while jacks and mackerel passed us in the blue. Our next dive was to a Coral Garden that we named in honor of our engineer Hector. He led our divers on a soothing dive where we spotted napoleon wrasse among the coral heads. Mantis shrimp and the ever watchful shrimp gobies were found in the sand patches as well as a lone feather tail ray. Out in the blue the large schools of rainbow runners were occasionally disrupted by powerful dogtooth tuna. After this dive was over we returned to the vessel for the evening and dined on a fine feast, but the crowd favorite of the meal was the cherry cobbler and ice and cream for dessert.

We woke up Wednesday morning at the northern reefs. This whole stretch of reef is considered the Velasco Reefs. This area has plenty of options to dive, but most are un-named. For the first dive we planned to use our reef hooks at Ike’s Corner. We dropped in the warm blue water and drifted with wall on the right. The current was not strong and we did not use the reef hooks. Schools of blue fusiliers swam by and a couple of hawksbill turtles. Up in the shallows there were a large school of black snapper. Off in the blue were large barracuda. Loly greeted us again with a plate of orange and cranberry scones. For the next dive we were going to find a wall dive that was going to be named, Hector’s Wall. The top of the wall was covered with schooling sail fin anthias and fairy basselets. On the top of the wall was a small sand channel and there was a feather tail ray sleeping in the sand. Also a couple of turtles and white tip sharks were among the tropical fish. For lunch Chef Cameron prepared a nice spread where the guests were able to make their own salads and sandwiches.

The third dive was another exploratory dive on the west side of the reef. We named it Ben’s Coral Garden. On the dive the guests were visited by a couple of turtles and had great photo opportunities of several types of nudi’s. Along the top of the wall, about every 20 feet, were schools of anthias. Around the anthias in the rocks we spotted leaf scorpionfish and a devil scorpionfish. As we returned back to the big boat a pod of dolphins swam over to the skiff to ride in the bow wake. We slowed down and did a couple of passes to get them close. On the big boat the guests enjoyed nachos as the afternoon snack. A couple of the guests treated themselves to a nice relaxing nap in the hammocks during the surface interval. For the fourth dive we found a nice sandy area with large coral formations. This site we named Andy’s Coral Garden. Drifting along the sandy bottom, in and out of the coral formations, we found juvenile peacock razor fish, and a couple of adults. Also we found three dragon wrasse or aka juvenile rock mover wrasse and more turtles were spotted swimming in and out of the group. As the guests sat down for dinner that night they had an option of pork tenderloin, or basa. Some of the guests decided to have their dessert, cheese cake with a mixed berry sauce, after the night dive. It was a full moon and the guests asked for a night dive to go see if the coral was spawning. No luck, we didn’t see any spawning but did see a couple of white tip sharks out hunting. All the night divers enjoyed a nice cup of hot chocolate on their return to the big boat. It was a great day of diving; now off to sleep, as another action packed day awaits us for tomorrow.

On Thursday morning we awoke with a small swell to the seas that added to sense of adventure as we made our back to Ike’s Corner to experience the wall with an incoming tide. As we dropped in the current was mild and carried us gently along the wall with it on our right side. The current brought us a pair of large bumphead parrotfish who inquisitively circled closer to investigate the strange creatures that fell from the sky spewing bubbles. Also along the wall we witnessed a large dogtooth tuna and a small school of mackerel hunting in the early morning light. On top of the wall we encountered a patch of lettuce coral full of blue lined snapper that were very accommodating to our photographers. For dive two we went to Cormoran Channel. Here the current had increased but was still very gentle. Along the sandy bottom we saw three white tip sharks peacefully making their way along the bottom. Among the gentle slope of the channel we found a variety of color among the feather stars and our guests were able to snap photos of a large notordoris minor, a beautiful yellow and black nudibranch. The third dive brought us to the Ngardmau Coral Garden. This site gave us more ray variety as guests viewed a marble ray cruising over the reef. Higher up in the blue an eagle ray majestically glided overhead. Among the reef itself a large notordoris minor was seen near its egg sack measuring 9-10 inches. Also over the reef were seen black snapper as well as big eye emperors.

For our final dive of the day we returned to Devil Fish City and the site definitely lived up to its name. Capt. Ike led the dive and his plan was perfect. We dropped in along the wall near a cleaning station and found an enormous manta, near 18 feet from wing tip to wing tip, already being cleaned. It gracefully cruised around the cleaning station for 15 minutes before it was joined by a slightly smaller companion. After they vacated the area we followed suit and headed to the mouth of the channel to view a shallower cleaning station. A glance over the shoulder as we left revealed a shyer manta that left as quickly as it appeared. The current switched direction and so did we. We cruised the wall of the channel making our way to the shallows. On our way a fourth manta passed below us and closer to us on the wall a beautiful juvenile African pompano swam by in a hurry with its beautiful streamers in tow. Back aboard the ship Cameron prepared a fine meal of seared tuna with a sauce of tomatoes and capers. For our desert Cameron prepared a special desert for our guest Donn who was celebrating his 2000^th dive.

On Friday morning we had a beautiful sunrise over Babeldoub. The boat is anchored in Ngardmau Bay. After breakfast we headed out to Ngardmau Channel once again. The divers were all happy with the two mantas getting cleaned at the first cleaning station. Then as we drifted towards the next cleaning station we had a manta fly by us going towards the cleaning station. At the big boat Loly created us with a plate of Danish. The crew was busy pulling the anchor and we continued south. After our surface interval the second dive was West Passage. There was a nice current as we drifted out the channel. A total of 7 turtles swam in and out of the divers and several kinds of nudi’s were spotted. Half way through the dive we encountered a strong eddy current and had to kick through it. Towards the end two grey reef sharks were drifting along in the current. For lunch Chef Cameron prepared spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan. Jake Sea Plane was our third dive, the plane wreck sits in 40 feet of water and it’s great for photos and video. Around the pane is a nice hard coral garden with nudi’s and flatworms, and two hawksbill turtles were sleeping on the bottom.

Continued.....

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Continued......

When we were done with the dive the big boat was back at the pier picking up supplies for the rest of our trip. We left the pier and tied up the boat in Malakal Harbor. Our next dive was scheduled a little later than usual; we were off to Chandelier Cave. We did not dive the cave this time, as that will be later in the trip. In the hard coral garden outside the cave we find a lot of mandarin fish. These colorful little fish mate at dusk every day. The guests were able to see this special thing happen numerous times. For the divers who were tired of watching the mandarin fish loving they went off to explore and found razor fish and some nudi’s. We caught up to the big boat as it started making its way down south. Our northern expedition was over and it was exciting diving new sites and having some great encounters with some marine life that we don’t see at the southern dive sites.

Saturday began with a dive at Blue Corner where we had a good outgoing current that brought us grey reef and white tip sharks, schooling barracuda and a strong presence of giant trevally. Our three favorite napoleon wrasse were also present, and some of our guests were fortunate enough to be allowed by the big fish to pet them. When we returned Loly greeted us with a morning snack of éclairs and we readied for our next dive to New Drop Off. Here the current was a little more mild and the sharks a little more curious as they came in even closer to investigate the divers. Also present were large numbers of titan triggerfish. For lunch we enjoyed a variety of chicken wings, took a nap, and made our way to Big Drop Off to explore this beautiful wall. Crocodile fish were found lying low waiting for the unwary small fish to pass by. Nudibranchs crawled among the soft corals and we were greatly entertained by a puffer fish snacking on starfish. For our fourth dive we headed to German Channel for a beautiful dive in the late afternoon sun and our guests were treated to a memorable show of mantas being fed and cleaned. We had plans to leave the cleaning station and head out to the blue to enjoy the feeding action when a large manta decided it wanted to be cleaned and now. As she glided in one of our guests leaned back until she was lying on her back with the massive animal just a foot away, a true adrenaline rush! After dinner we returned to Big Drop Off for our night dive. Besides many sleepy fish tucked into the crevices we also saw a grey reef shark patrolling the wall, haunting their dreams. Our guests also found a wide variety of shrimp, crabs as well as a couple of lobsters.

Sunday morning started off with some rain clouds. We moved the big boat from outside German Channel, around the corner, to our Turtle Cove mooring. For the first dive we were going back to the Blue Corner area. This time were starting at Blue Holes. We dropped in the water and descended down through the four holes on top of the reef and entered into the main chamber. It was beautiful ambient light shining down through the holes. With our dive lights we could see the blue pulse going across the front of the disco clam. The divers exited the chamber with wall on the left as they drifted down towards Blue Corner. The napoleon wrasse soon joined the group, there was not enough current to hook in so we drifted across the reef. For the next dive, we visited Turtle Cove. To start this dive we descended through a single hole on top the reef and entered the small chamber. The current pushed us along with wall on the left as soon as we exited the chamber. All the divers enjoyed the beautiful soft corals that cover the wall. One of the guests found a large crocodile fish. There was one coral head that had cuttle fish eggs tucked away in it and there were the usual nudi’s and what would Turtle Cove be without any turtles?

After lunch we made our way over to Dexter’s Wall. This dive site should have the name changed to ‘Turtle Wall’ or just something with ‘Turtle’ in it. Total we saw 12 turtles, more than what we had at Turtle Cove. With a couple of grey reef sharks swimming in the blue, it was a great dive. Ngedebus Corner was the site of our fourth dive. A beautiful dive site covered in soft coral again we had some grey reef sharks off in the blue water, but we were mostly looking for the macro life. Nudi’s, flatworms, scorpion fish, and other small stuff like that. We returned to the big boat, dinner was soon ready, and Chef Cameron had a cake for dessert to celebrate some dive milestones. Congrats to Mike B for reaching 300 dives and congrats to Mike M and Beth for reaching their 200^th dive. We then went back to Turtle Cove for the night dive. Turtle Cove is one of the most popular night dives. We saw scorpion fish, cuttle fish eggs, nudi’s, an octopus, basket stars, and one very large green sea turtle that followed us most of the dive.

Monday morning started with a dive on the incoming side of Blue Corner. On this dive we encountered large schools of jacks swirling together in a massive ball as the grey reef sharks hunted amongst them, also gathering were big groups of giant trevally. We witnessed one shark that was repeatedly driven from the group by some of the trevally. As we travelled from one hook in to the next over the plateau we saw two giant moray that lived up to their name. At the second hook in the drama of the action was added to by a solo, extremely large bumphead parrot fish that that rose vertically from the wall through the schooling fish as though the king of parrotfish. Quite the sight. For our next dive we went to Virgin Blue Hole to experience the surreal atmosphere of this large cavern. Inside the cavern we found a variety of angelfish as well as some lion fish. Outside on the wall we viewed several turtles as well as a couple of schools of spadefish travelling peacefully through the blue. We returned for lunch and then for our third dive we went to Fern’s Wall. This beautiful wall covered in soft corals had a decent current that made traversing the wall effortless. We found many beautiful anemones harboring a variety of anemone fish. Square spot anthias were seen deeper along the wall as well as some phylidia tula nudibranchs. Here we had a bit of excitement as four grey reef sharks chased a large school of orange stripe surgeon fish above us and passed into haze the rain overhead brought. Very soon though they passed below our divers, maybe only six feet away, making our photographers very happy. Our last dive of the daylight hours took us to New Drop Off. A rogue grey reef shark that hung out in the backfield of the plateau passed very closely to our divers certainly heightening their awareness. Convict tangs scattered over the plateau in search of food and stirred up the titan triggerfish to quite the frenzy. Their smaller cousin, the red tooth trigger, was more than happy to simply observe the chaos from the blue. After a fine dinner we did something out of the ordinary and went to Dexter’s Wall for our night dive. Here the turtles we witnessed during the day rested peacefully as a crocodile fish watched over the reef from under the soft corals.

On Tuesday morning we made a repeat dive at German Channel. Although we did not see as many mantas, the one we did see put on a great show at the cleaning station the last 15 minutes of the dive. A couple of black tip sharks passed by and grey reefs too. As soon as we arrived back at the big boat, the engines started up, and we were off to Peleliu. Our first dive in Peleliu was West Wall. We had a nice current and drifted swiftly along the reef. Nudi’s, anemones, scorpion fish, sharks and turtles were seen on the dive. Lunch was served when we returned to the big boat; Chef Cameron had a variety of pizzas ready.

Then after lunch some of the guests went on the famous Peleliu land tour to visit the site of one of the bloodiest battles of WWII. For everyone else we dove Peleliu Corner. We had a nice current on the incoming side of the corner known as the “Express.” This time of year the sea breams school in large numbers on the corner. This is known to bring in the bull sharks too. All the divers saw a large school of probably over 1000 sea breams from the start of the dive to the first hook in area. No bull sharks though, we will try again in the morning tomorrow, that’s when the bull sharks come up to hunt on the corner. For the fourth dive we visited Orange Beach Coral Garden. This beach is where the U.S. forces landed on Peleliu on Sept. 15 1944. It’s a beautiful coral garden with artifacts from WWII. When we first dropped in we descended to 40 feet and there were three bombs in the coral rubble. We then drifted with shallows on the left, one of the guests found a large crocodile fish. We saw a total of three hawksbill turtles, some more bombs and .50 cal bullets. For dinner that night we had an option of peppered pork and tuna served with lentil soup and a green salad. For the night dive we went back to Orange Beach CG. During the dive our lights came across one of the biggest green sea turtles ever. One of the guests found a decorator crab. This type of crab is so well camouflaged that the only way you can see him is if he moves. Once our lights hit him though, he freezes and is a great subject for video or photos.

Wednesday morning we made our return to Peleliu Corner in hopes of another great dive and the seas did not disappoint. On the outgoing side we hooked in and had a terrific show of many varieties of snapper cruising the wall in large numbers as well as some very large grouper doing some early morning hunting. On top of the wall was an enormous great barracuda as well as some white tip sharks. As the shark action was a little slow we unhooked and travelled across the plateau to check out the incoming side. As we traveled across the plateau the current intensified and guest were forced to turn into the current in order to stay on the plateau. Here Hector showed them the wonderful world of macro that exists on top of the plateau and the reef shark that take refuge in some of the large depressions. I travelled along the wall and found the current to lighten up on the ridge line. I felt that something very large was near and looked up non to soon as a 10 foot female bull shark was on course straight towards me. I remember thinking “Man that shark’s huge! Wait where’s its markings… bull shark!” She came within 15 feet before she gave me my own space and headed out to the blue. I swam as fast as I could to gather as many of our guests that would follow me and we returned to the edge of the wall in hopes the bull shark would return. She did not disappoint as she came within sight slowly cruising the wall and dwarfing the grey reef sharks that were also present.

For our second dive Andy guided us along Barrack’s Point, which is a beautiful sloping wall that ends in wonderful coral garden on the plateau. Besides the abundant reef fish we also found groups of snapper and larger puffer fish taking refuge behind some of the pinnacles. We returned to the boat for a wonderful lunch of burgers and polish sausage with all the trimmings and then we made our way to Turtle Cove for our third dive. On this dive we explored the wall briefly on an outgoing current before making our way on top of the reef. In the shallows we found very relaxed turtles and many nudibranchs as well as a scorpion fish tucked into the reef. With the mild current our guests were even able to hook in on the edge of the wall and enjoy a mini show of a lone white tip shark cruising along the wall while a large group of snapper kept a close eye on it. Our fourth dive took us to Barnum’s Wall where this beautiful sloping wall gave our divers a wonderful cross section of marine life in Palau from the tiny coral hermit crabs to sharks in the deep and everything in between. After dinner we headed to the German Channel Coral Garden for our night dive. The seas were very calm and the sky was clear and full of stars. Shortly after we dropped in we began finding shrimp mixed in the coral of varying sizes from barely visible to very dinner worthy. We also found a group of three green turtles sleeping peacefully on the shallow reef. We wished them sweet dreams and kept moving along the reef where we saw a parrotfish all tucked in and ready for bed and nearby an octopus stalked along the reef and disappeared as quickly as it appeared. We ended our beautiful dive by finding a lionfish free swimming above a coral head, picking out its night time snack.

On Thursday morning we woke up early and started moving the big boat to Ulong. We planned our day of diving knowing that the moon was in the half moon phase. Ulong Channel is always a favorite in this area, and is best to dive on an incoming current. We set out for the first dive and stopped at Ulong Channel to check if we had an incoming current. It was outgoing so we headed out to Shark City. We did our back roll and descended to the wall. There were a couple of grey reef sharks out in the blue and some white tips on top of the corner. The current switched on us before we got to the corner so we turned around and drifted along the top of the wall where we had a couple of hawksbill turtles feeding. On the way back to the big boat we could see that the current is incoming and planned our next dive at the channel. At 10:15 we went out to Ulong Channel. There were two other boats, but we dove the channel because this might be the only time we get the incoming current. We dropped in the water and headed toward the mouth of the channel. On our right we could see some grey reef sharks and as we got closer to the hook in area we saw other divers hooked in already so we went around them and hooked in on the far side of the mouth. It was a great spot to hook in. We had grey reef and white tip sharks passing in front of us the whole time. There also were a couple of dog tooth tuna swimming in and out of the divers hooked in. After 30 mins we un-hooked and started our drift into the channel, the current was not very strong, but all the guests enjoyed the relaxing drift. Through the channel we stopped at the lettuce coral to see all the fish hiding inside and stopped at the giant clams. The clams are very large and have beautiful soft coral growing on them and make great photo and video subjects.

Once again it’s lunchtime, Chef Cameron had a great spread of hamburgers, hot dogs, tatter tots, and salad. Lunch was over and some of the guests were caught sleeping upstairs in the hammocks. Our next dive was at Siaes Corner. We arrived at the dive site and had to wait for a couple of minutes because another group just started ahead of us. Andy told some really bad jokes to pass the time then everyone wanted to enter the water so we didn’t have to hear any more of his jokes J We started drifting in a slow current. This wall is very beautiful with all the soft corals and sea fans. The other group was hooked in so we had to hook in on the shallower side of them. We had several sharks and a large school of red snapper in the blue just in front of us. Once the other group un-hooked and left, we performed our advance hooking and un-hooked and drifted down to where they were. After we hooked in again the current started flowing strong, this brought the sharks in closer. Back at the big boat the guest enjoyed a snack and some relaxation during the surface interval. For the last dive of the day we went out to Sandy Paradise. We entered the water and first thing we saw were a school of barracuda off in the blue. During the dive we found a lot of small things; anemones, porcelain crabs, orangutan crabs, leaf scorpion fish, and a couple of schools of soldier fish and also some grey reef sharks off in the blue. It was a great day of diving and after dinner everyone was off to bed to get a good night sleep and ready to do it all again tomorrow.

On Friday we started our morning with a dive at Siaes Tunnel. Inside this beautiful cavern our guests found blue spot pygmy angel fish, disco clams as well as signal gobies in the sand. As they exited the tunnel there was a great show of schooling jacks as well as a small group of sharks that circled outside. For our second dive we returned to Ulong Channel with the incoming current and had another fantastic dive in this beautiful channel. We hooked into the mouth and watched as some of the grey reef sharks became very inquisitive and were unafraid to come close to view our guest much to their enjoyment. After we unhooked the current swept us along and we viewed many medium sized grouper as we dodged nesting titan triggerfish. After this dive we returned to the boat for a Mexican feast for lunch prepared by Chef Cameron. For our third dive we explored the Coral Gardens adjoining Ulong Channel. Here we went on a nudibranch and flatworms hunt and had a field day. Also we found a barramundi trying to disappear under tabletop corals. We then found a large ball of giant trevally schooling, and not far from them we found a white tip shark sleeping in the sand.

On the next dive we went to Siaes Corner and it was the perfect dive to cap off the week. On the surface the current seemed uncertain and we dropped in it was mild enough that we weren’t expecting a lot of action. We made our way along the wall observing reef fish and found the picturesque juvenile midnight snapper near its feather star. Suddenly as we neared the corner and our planned hook in area the action exploded! We had sharks big and small, large wahoo zipping along the wall, schooling barracuda, giant trevally and jacks competing for food, and a lone dogtooth tuna to keep everyone on their toes. These different groups continued to mingle and in and out of each other in the golden sunlight and were joined by a large napoleon wrasse and a juvenile pompano that cruised the wall. In the reef we also found a couple of large morays. As we came to the surface we found a large complete rainbow over Ulong Island. We headed home under the setting sun and feasted on tuna, prime rib and shrimp salad. After dinner Andy screened for our guests the video he had filmed of their charter which was full of beauty and laughter. It was a fantastic way to bring to a close our last day before our return to Koror.

We woke up this Saturday morning to the sounds of the engines starting up. We pulled up the anchor and moved the big boat towards Jellyfish Lake. We lowered the skiff and were off. We pulled up to the pier and started climbing over the hill to the lake. Everyone enjoyed swimming with the millions of jellyfish. We checked out the shallow areas around the lake to see the anemones that are eating the jellyfish. After the lake we went on the Rock Island tour. The skiff weaved in and out of the rock islands that make up Palau. We stopped at Palau’s natural arch and everyone was taking pictures. For our last dive of the charter, we went back to Chandelier Cave. Last time we dove here we did it as a night dive, looking for the mandarin fish, this time were doing the cave itself. The divers surfaced in each of the 4 air chambers to see the beautiful limestone formations. Outside the cave, a shallow muck dive looking for razor fish, nudi’s, signal gobies, and other macro life. We jumped on the skiff for the last ride back to the big boat. When we arrived everyone started to wash their dive gear and hang it dry.

It was a great two week charter. That night we said our goodbyes to 14 of our guests and then on Sunday morning we again said our goodbyes to the remaining 4 guests as they went off to their hotels.

Palau Aggressor II Crew

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor II Captain’s Report April 7 – 14, 2013

Welcome on board the Palau Aggressor II. At 4pm on April 7^th we started picking up the guests. Some made their own way to the boat, and we picked up the rest with our transport. We welcomed on board Kelly, Karin, Andreas, Rich & Andy, Harlan, Michael, Mark & Dianne, Ou & Eric, Hermann & Patrick, Rudy & Teresa, Simon and Marco. It’s almost a full boat with 17 guests. Everyone set up their dive gear and got settled into their rooms. Chef Cameron set up a great buffet of basa with vinaigrette; herb roasted chicken, mixed vegetables and a salad bar with a triple chocolate cake for desert. After dinner Captain Marc gave the safety briefing and soon after most of the guests went to bed so they could get plenty of rest before starting their adventure.

We started up the engines early on Monday morning, and moved the big boat towards German Channel. After breakfast the guests gathered around the TV for a dive briefing. Around 8:30 am the big boat arrived at our Turtle Cove mooring and we started gearing up for our first dive of the week. The first dive was Ngedebus Coral Garden. We did our back rolls into the water and checked our weights and started our dive. During the dive we spotted a feather tail ray sleeping in the sand and a crocodile fish. At 56 minutes into the dive we found a cuttlefish hovering above the hard coral. Most of the guests have never seen a cuttlefish before. Not bad for our check out dive. Our second dive was at Turtle Cove. This dive is always a favorite. We dropped into the water and swam over to a hole on top of the reef and descended down the chimney. At 40 feet it opens up into a beautiful cavern with black coral and tubastrea coral covering the ceiling. We exited the cavern with wall on the right and drifted with the current towards the corner. The wall is covered with soft coral and has lots of places for small critters to hide, lion fish, nudi’s, flatworms, and a scorpion fish were all seen. On top of the plateau we saw three hawksbill turtles and one green sea turtle. We surfaced and returned to the big boat for lunch.
Our next dive was our first chance to use our reef hooks at New Drop Off. We entered the water on the incoming side and unfortunately the current changed before we got to the corner. We ascended to the plateau and had a small swim against the current to get to the hook in area on the outgoing side. Once we all hooked in the grey reef sharks were cruising in front of all the divers and on the reef were two big green sea turtles tucked in the coral taking a nap. After we unhooked we drifted through a school of yellow tail barracuda. We surfaced and the skiff took us back to the big boat where Len was waiting holding a great snack, it was nice because we had not eaten in at least an hour and a half! For our fourth dive we took off towards Barnum’s Wall. This section of wall is just north of Turtle Cove and a couple of turtles were seen on the dive. As we drifted along the wall we found nudibranch eggs, depending on how bright in color the spiral is tells you how old they are and if they are bright green, if you look around them the nudi that laid them is probably close by. We saw two notordoris sp. and a notordoris minor. We arrived back at the big boat and dinner was soon ready. Everyone had a choice for dinner that night of pork tenderloin or seared tuna. Dinner came with soup and salad and dessert was a cobbler with ice cream. After dinner we put on the Peleliu WWII documentary.

On Tuesday morning we started diving at the famous Blue Holes. The divers entered the water and descended through the four holes on top of the reef. All the holes meet in a very large cavern where the ambient light coming through the holes makes for a beautiful photo opportunity. While some of the divers took photos others explored the sides of the cavern looking for the disco clam. As we exited the cavern there was a helfrichs dart fish hovering above its hole and as soon as the divers started getting to close it darted into its hole and did not come back out. We drifted in the outgoing current towards Blue Corner, and soon there were grey reef sharks in the blue water. The closer we came to Blue Corner the more and more marine life we saw. Sharks, barracuda, napoleon wrasse, tropical fish, jacks, and much more to end the dive. Our second dive was at Fern’s Wall. This dive site is also known as Turtle Wall. Total there were three hawksbill turtle sightings and a couple of white tip sharks along the reef. Also there was plenty of macro life to photograph or just to explore.

During lunchtime we could see that the current was now incoming. Knowing that with an incoming current most of the day boats would be at German Channel we headed towards Blue Corner and we were right. There were only two boats at the corner and they were already ending their dive, so we did our back roll and had the whole dive site to ourselves. Blue Corner lived up to its reputation. Lots of sharks in the blue water as were hooked in, the very friendly napoleon wrasse, schools of snappers, jacks, barracuda, turtles, lion fish, anemones, and so much more great stuff to see. For our next dive the current was still incoming. Knowing that the day boat operators were all heading home at this time we went to German Channel. Once again we planned it perfect, only one other boat and we didn’t see any other divers in the water. We tied up the skiff to a mooring on the Koror side of the channel and entered the water. On the way to the cleaning station, the red anemone was the first stop. This anemone is a beautiful pinkish red color and two Clark’s anemone fish call it home. We continued on to the cleaning station and the divers sat down in the sand on the shallower side of the coral rocks. We waited for 10 minutes and there were no mantas. So we continued across the mouth of the channel towards the other cleaning station. In the blue water we could see sharks, groupers, dog tooth tuna, wahoo, and giant trevally. At the second cleaning we waited another 10 minutes or so and still no mantas. We left and headed back towards the center of the mouth of the channel, and then overhead we saw two large mantas feeding up in the shallow water. The whole group of divers ascended off the bottom and joined the mantas as the circled us time and time again with their mouths open to filter the small plankton into their bellies. We spent the remaining minutes of the dive with the two mantas then surfaced to see a beautiful sky with the sun starting to set.

Back on the boat it was dinnertime and that night’s main course was an option of flank steak or baked basa again with a soup or salad. Then for desert we had a special birthday cake for Hermann, and the night divers were off to Turtle Cove. This site is one of the best night dives we do in Palau. All the cup coral comes out at night to feed and basket stars come out of their hiding places to filter feed at night. The turtles that we saw during the day dive are hiding in the reef, sleeping. Also two scorpion fish were found along the wall. The skiff picked up the divers and headed back to the big boat where a nice cup of hot chocolate was waiting.

Early in the morning on Wednesday we started up the big boat and were off to Peleliu. Peleliu is our southern most dive location in Palau. During the hour journey down to Peleliu we had a pod of spinner dolphins swim up to the big boat and ride the bow wake. We pulled the big boat into south dock and we secured the boat in the shallow lagoon. First on the schedule was the land tour. 7 of the guests got off the boat and toured the Island of Peleliu. This was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in WWII. Over 10000 men lost their lives in Peleliu. The tour takes the guests about two hours and they will be back for dive two. For those who did not go on the tour our first dive was Peleliu Corner. At the corner the current was incoming and this side is known as the “express.” This side of the corner is also the North Pacific Ocean and all the dive to this point was done on the Philippine Sea side of Palau. The current ended up being mild. We still hooked in and had grey reef sharks in the blue. The whole wall is covered in yellow soft coral and it’s a very beautiful sight as we drifted along. Before our second dive the guests came back from the land tour and then we were off to West Wall for dive two. This wall is a steep drop off and usually brings in some big pelagic marine life. After the guests drop in the water three really big dog tooth tuna pass by. Several kinds of nudi’s were spotted and a devil scorpion fish and a leaf scorpion fish. The scorpion fish always make good photo subjects because they don’t move. Back on the big boat lunch was ready and a nice surface interval followed.

At 1:15 the bell rang for the next dive and we headed to Peleliu Corner again. The current was again incoming, but this time it was really strong. We entered the water and flew to the hook in area. We stayed at the hook in for most of the dive. It’s amazing how the sharks can just glide in the strong current without moving a fin. We un-hooked and shot across the plateau. Peleliu Corner is very large and it only took us minutes to drift to the other side. We had planned to leave Peleliu after the fourth dive but during the surface interval we were approached by the de-mining company that are cleaning up the island and removing bombs and other ordinance. They asked us to leave south dock because they were planning to blow up some bombs that they removed from Orange Beach Coral Garden. So we had to push the dive back 15 minutes as we pulled the anchor and moved the big boat towards the German Channel Area. Right before the divers dropped into the water at Barracks Point for the next dive, we heard a loud KABOOM and could see the smoke rise from south dock! On the dive we drifted past the large sea fans and up onto the coral garden. Hawksbill and green sea turtle were seen and under the edges of the anemones we found eggs from the anemone fish. We arrived back at the big boat after it moored up next to Turtle Cove. For dinner that night we had an option of braised leg of lamb or seared tuna. For desert we had Chef Cameron’s famous chocolate chip cookie pie. The night dive was scheduled for Ngedebus Coral Garden, but everyone was too tired to go diving and decided to go to bed after dinner.

On Thursday morning we awoke to a beautiful sunrise and after breakfast we traveled to Virgin Blue Hole. We rolled into the water and descended through a hole on top of the reef that goes straight down to 110 feet deep. Then a tunnel takes the divers out to the wall. In the tunnel when we searched the walls and found two disco clams. With a flash light we could see the blue pulse going across the clam. Once out on the wall we slowly started ascending, we had sharks in the blue, tropical fish all over. Towards the end of the dive we swam through canyons and a beautiful archway. Our next dive was at Big Drop Off. Sometimes there are sharks in the blue water but mostly this dive is great for macro. We found a notordoris minor and a notordoris sp. This wall is covered in soft corals and sea fans. In the bushes of black coral we saw long nose hawkfish.

After lunch and a surface interval we went back to Blue Corner. It was an outgoing current and we dropped in the water and the current pushed us to the hook in area. While hooked in the grey reefs sharks passed inches away from us, the three napoleon wrasse were in amongst the group and a large school of great barracuda were behind us. We un-hooked and drifted across the plateau, to the small patch of lettuce coral where the school of blue lined snapper hang out. They are always great for photos, 40 fish moving as a single group. For the fourth dive we went back to German Channel. Again we timed it perfect, there was only one other boat and we didn’t even see their divers underwater. At the cleaning station one manta did a couple of passes then went back to the shallow water to feed. We ascended off the bottom and spent the rest of the dive with the two mantas as they did barrel roll, after barrel roll, with their mouth wide open. Most of the guests got close enough to touch the mantas, but of course they didn’t. For dinner that night we had an option of pork tenderloin or basa and black beans and a mango mojo. Dessert was cheesecake with a caramel sauce. Again all the guests decided that they had a great day of diving and did not want to do a night dive. So we started moving the big boat to Ulong for Friday’s dives.

During breakfast on Friday morning, the guests looked out the windows, and saw Ulong Beach or aka ‘Survivor Beach’. When diving at Ulong, Ulong Channel is a must. We always try to dive it at least twice. With the incoming tide early in the morning and late in the afternoon, we planned the first dive at the channel nice and early. At 6:30am we rushed out to the channel to catch the end of the incoming current. The current was not that strong and we hooked in for a short while, the sharks were off in the blue and did not really come close. We un-hooked and drifted into the channel but the current died and we didn’t make it to the giant clams. The next dive was at Siaes Tunnel. The divers entered the tunnel at 90 feet deep and with their flash lights explored the inside. We pointed out to the guests some rare fish that are only found in deeper water, but because the tunnel is dark, they think their deeper. The blue backed pygmy angelfish, decorated dart fish and the black and white butterfly fish are always found. All three are sometimes hard to photograph but the guests tried and some got a couple of decent photos.

After lunch we headed out to Siaes Corner. This corner is a lot smaller than the rest of the corner dives we done thus far, but still offers the big marine life we’ve seen at the rest. With the sharks in the blue and barracuda on the top of the plateau and some more hawksbill turtles in the coral garden, it was a great dive. We returned at the big boat and had a nice snack and relaxation during the surface interval. For dive four we returned to Ulong Channel and the current was again incoming. As the divers drifted towards the mouth of the channel to hook in, we could feel the current start to get stronger. The current was not nearly as strong as the Peleliu Express dive a couple of days ago but it was stronger than the morning dive. We hooked in and the grey reefs sharks started to come really close. All the fusiliers we feeding in the blue and every now and then you could hear a big whoosh, as the dog tooth tuna and the giant trevally chased them. There was one big grey reef shark that passed the divers over and over again within arm’s reach and the photographers were getting some great photos of her. As we un-hooked and drifted through the channel, we saw groupers along the bottom and the end of the dive is marked by two giant clams, sitting side by side in the sandy bottom. Each one has beautiful soft coral growing on the outer shell.

At the big boat, after everyone had cleaned up after a great day of diving, we had a nice wine and cheese party upstairs to converse and enjoy the sunset. After the sun set we entered the salon and Chef Cameron had prepared a great meal. The buffet included basa, prime rib, shrimp, a broccoli and cheese soup, mashed potatoes, and salad. The dessert was served around the TV as Captain Marc showed his video of the week. The week is not over yet. Most of the guests went right to bed to rest up for our two last excursions planned for tomorrow.

We woke up on Saturday morning as the engines started up. We pulled up the anchor and moved the big boat away from Ulong and closer to Jellyfish Lake. The skiff was lowered into the water and we were off. We pulled up to the dock on the outside of the lake and started the climbing over the hill to the lake. Everyone always enjoys snorkeling with the millions of jellyfish. Palau is the only place in the world with the golden jellyfish and it’s truly a majestic place. The jellyfish are not alone in the lake without predators, while heading back to the dock we ventured through the shallow areas around the lake to see the anemones that are eating the jellyfish. After the lake we went on the Rock Island tour. The skiff weaved in and out of the rock islands that make up Palau. We stopped at Palau’s natural arch for a photo opp. and continued on to meet the big boat back in Malakal Harbor. The bell soon rang for our last dive of the charter and we went to Chandelier Cave. The divers surfaced in each of the 4 air chambers to see the beautiful lime stone formations. Then after leaving the fourth chamber, some divers turned off their dive lights and when their eyes adjusted to the dark, could see the ambient light filtering in through the entrance of the cave, it made for a beautiful sight and seeing the reflections of the stalagmites as they pierced the surface of the water above. Outside the cave, a shallow muck dive looking for razor fish, nudi’s, signal gobies, and other macro life. We jumped on the skiff for the last ride back to the big boat. When we arrived everyone started to wash their dive gear and hang it dry. It was a great week of diving off the islands of Palau.

Aggressor Fleet would like to again thank Kelly, Karin, Andreas, Rich & Andy, Harlan, Michael, Mark & Dianne, Ou & Eric, Hermann & Patrick, Rudy & Teresa, Simon and Marco for joining us this week, and we hope to see them all again in the near future on board the Palau Aggressor II.

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Palau Aggressor Captain’s Report April 14 – 21, 2013

Sunday
The Palau Aggressor II welcomes the Dive Club Splav, hailing all the way from Russia to spend a week at sea with us. Full of energy, they arrived promptly to the boat and immediately began readying dive and snorkel gear. After a boat briefing and huge gourmet spread compliments of Chef Andy, the guests retired to the sun deck to talk about the upcoming dives, and celebrate the opening night.

Monday
Beginning our week off with a day full of wrecks, we visit four different shipwrecks. First thing, the Helmet Wreck provided an interesting check out dive, with its depth charges, nudibranchs, and even a crocodile fish. The Chuyo Maru and Teshio Maru followed, both offering glimpses of the ships’ former glory, as well as the diversity of their current residents, the macro animals. Ending the first day of diving with Jake’s Sea Plane, we pose for pictures while seated in the cockpit, and explore the surrounding coral gardens, finding giant clams, and large schools of mackerel. Motoring out at last light, our guests dined on Chef Andy’s gourmet meal while we pointed our compass toward Ulong Island.

Tuesday
Waking up just offshore of the picturesque Ulong Island, we decided to go straight for the amazing Ulong Channel. Beginning by dropping into Palau’s warm waters just above the famous pair of giant clams, we drifted out towards the mouth of the channel. Massive groupers shooting out of our way, and sharks nimbly avoiding our flight paths, we exited the channel, and floated over the surrounding coral gardens to the south. Next deciding to add a third new element, an overhead environment was chosen, Siaes Tunnel. This deep tunnel is home to bannerfish, lionfish, and dartfish, some even swimming upside-down on the ceiling. After the ten minute exploration of the tunnel, we emerged back into the sunlit waters, and began phase two of the dive, the wall, which yielded a fearless turtle and several grey reef sharks passing out in the blue. A light lunch and heavy nap naturally ensuing, the first dive of the afternoon was Sandy Paradise. Here we were treated to a cleaning station occupied by several grey reef sharks. Hovering in place, jaws open, cleaner wrasses bravely darted inside the most famous jaws in the ocean to play a deadly game of dentist & patient. For those brave few who decided to venture out into the night dive, it was out to Ulong Coral Gardens. Patrolling white tip sharks, more giant clams, and impressive nudibranchs waited to be illuminated by our torches. Once again, our guests enjoyed a wonderful meal under the star-lit night as the boat ventured ever onwards towards the next day’s diving destinations.

Wednesday
Waking up surrounded by the already-aqua waters, and countless islands of the German Channel is an excellent way to start one’s day. To top it off, we saw from our supreme vantage point, that the gorgeous dive site was unoccupied, and we could have the entire underwater playground to our selves. Dropping in before the sun was properly limbered up and ready to flex any muscle, the ever varying, and always inspiring, watery world of German Channel was revealed to us. Enormous schools of midnight snapper, giant trevally, blue-line snapper, and of course, the opportunistic grey reef sharks slowly and patiently cruising in and amongst the schooling fish. Turtle Cove was elected as dive number two. Always a peaceful pleasure, we swam down through a small tunnel to begin the dive, and explored the colorful wall, full of flatworms, pyramid butterfly fish, and even a passing tuna fish. Beginning our ascent, we came up and over the lip of the plateau to find ourselves surrounded by thousands of snappers, jacks, butterfly fish, and juvenile triggerfish! As per our ritual, eating followed diving, and napping followed eating. However, once rousted and revived, the famous Blue Corner beckoned to us. A gentle current proved helpful and inviting, as we drifted along the dramatic wall and exuberant plateau. Without needing to hook in, we hovered to watch sharks spinning lazy circles in the light underwater breeze, before our attention was stolen by the lovable Napoleon wrasses, who constantly demand our attention and affection. Posing for photos in front of each of us, they seem more like puppy dogs than fish. Navigating the skiff based on Chef Andy’s flavorful bar-b-que cooking, our noses steered us back home. After dinner there was yet another dive offered, a foray back to Turtle Cove. A wall full of orange polyps, giant basket stars appearing as dainty as lace, and an ocean full of bioluminescence is where we found ourselves as we tip toed past sleeping parrotfish and stealthy white tip sharks.

Thursday
Again attacking at first light, Blue Corner was first on the agenda so that we may yet again have her all to ourselves. Currents still calm as kittens, another leisurely float was allowed, another romp with our friendly neighborhood Napoleon wrasses, and more mesmerizing sharks passing effortlessly by us. Returning for breakfast, we headed south, to Peleliu. Anchoring in a small inlet on the south end of the island, we were perfectly situated for a dive on Peleliu Corner. This dive boasts some impressive currents, and finally our reef hooks came out to play. Hooking in on “The Cut” side of the corner, we watched from the top of the plateau as several grey reef sharks cruised by, before unhooking and performing our best imitations of birds as we glided over the world below us. Orange Beach was just what we needed next, a relaxing dive, swimming past World War II relics, which littered the bottom and had been claimed by the reef. Anchors, turnbuckles, and amtracks were discovered, and turtles played with. With the sun setting on a fiery horizon, the Aggressor motored north for the night dive at Ngedebus Coral Gardens. For the few die-hard divers who dared the night dive, amazing creatures were found. Twinspot lionfish, zebra lionfish, porcelain crabs, moray eel, and several dazzling nudibranchs welcomed us to their homes. Returning to the mothership, it was cocktail hour as the moon rose above the ocean and soon after, the dinner bell lured us down from the sundeck to the salon for another delicious meal.

Friday
As the new day dawned, we looked out on rock islands scattered across the ocean, with island swiflets darting around overhead, and several black tip sharks patrolling below, we knew it would be another excellent day. German Channel would be our first location. Opting to repeat this popular dive, we were lucky enough to swim with several octopus, garden eels, white tip sharks, massive schools of snapper, jacks, and butterfly fish, as well as several large (and quite friendly!) grey reef sharks who seemed optimistic as to their chances of a sushi breakfast. Next for the agenda was Blue Holes. Featuring a truly giant cavern lit with four large ‘sunroofs’ torn into the ceiling, we played in the late morning sunlight as it streamed down on the reef below. A disco clam was shown, hiding in the corner, just playing a tune to itself with its electric blue light dancing up and down, back and forth. Exiting the cavern, we explored the wall just outside to find three nudibranchs clustered near each other and some passing sharks. A lazy afternoon began with a picnic on a nearby beach, catering compliments as usual to Chef Andy. Some laid out for some sun, others cooled off with a dip in the sea, but all had a great time and a great surface interval. The final dive of the day was New Drop Off. Called a miniature Blue Corner, this corner dive was the perfect way to end our day, as a gentle current enabled us to easily hook into the middle of a large group of pyramid butterfly fish, and watch several sharks cruise out in the blue in front of us. Unhooking and continuing our peaceful drift, several large turtles posed for cameras, and a school of bumphead parrotfish pecked their way down the plateau ahead of us. Dinner onboard, surrounded by iconic rock islands, we spent the night in Wonder Channel to ready ourselves for one last day of diving.

Saturday
With the birds chirping, we set off early so that we may have Jellyfish Lake to ourselves. There, we found millions of pink jellyfish ceaselessly parading from one side of the green-watered lake to the other side, chasing the sun’s path, with us in the middle of it all. A long snorkel later, it was back onto the skiff for Hector’s famous Rock Island Tour. With his local knowledge we navigated the shallow waters surrounding the picturesque islands and soaked up the sun and sights of Palau. Returning to the mothership again, we readied ourselves for our last dive, Chandelier Caves. This cavern dive includes four air chambers recessed into the island herself, and to get there one has to dive underneath the stalactites and navigate the roomy tunnel. It was a wonderful opportunity for our photographers and a memorable experience for everybody. Thus concludes another incredible week of diving here on the Palau Aggressor II. Thanks to our very special guests, we hope you all come see us again soon!

The Palau Aggressor crew