Palau Dive Shop

[Nic2750]

Which dive shop(s) cater primarily to Westerners?

Sam's & Fish 'n Fins get most of the western tourists, although there are often US military folk and western embassy staff who dive regularly with Cruise Control. It really varies, so it's not a hard-and-fast rule. Blue Marlin is about 50/50 in my experience.

 

[iho]

Fish&Fins very good, but a lot of US (ex)military from Guam and other part of the word

 

[PACKRMAN]

Just got back a week ago and used Neco Marine. We were very happy.

 

[Scared Silly]

It sounds like you are already set to do land-based... the advantange of a liveaboard in Palau is the hours they save in getting back and forth to the best dive sites (can save up to 2+ hours a day, while also allowing to repeat some of the best sites on the same day).

Most do know but there is a dive resort on Peleliu, Dolphin Bay. We have done both land based from Koror and a sailboat. But after visiting Dolphin Bay we would stay there on a future trip. We actually had one planned until Korean Airlines decided not to honor the tickets we bought (a very long story). Much closer to the dive sites and also much quieter than Koror.

 

[poseident]

I'm not going to be much help. Last time I dove Palau was in 1981 with Francis Toribiong at Fish 'N Fins. Awesome dives, including one to a wreck at 220' on a single steel '72. We did stuff different back then.

I was lucky enough to meet Francis a few times in the 90s, but you got to dive with him? WOW! And yes, the stories I heard from the crew that were diving in the 80s around the Western Pacific would curl the toes of the kids these days.

If anyone ever does invent a Time Machine, I know where I'm headed (but I'll bring some newer gear)!

I always had great experiences with both Fish 'N Fins and Sam's. Neco catered to the Japanese tourism sector when I was there. Clearly there are some new operators now. I hope that speaks to the health of the industry and the ecosystem there......

Happy bubbles!

N

 

[KatRizzo]

Fish&Fins very good, but a lot of US (ex)military from Guam and other part of the word

I'll be diving with my brother who is retired Army so that's not a bad thing!

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

I was lucky enough to meet Francis a few times in the 90s, but you got to dive with him? WOW! And yes, the stories I heard from the crew that were diving in the 80s around the Western Pacific would curl the toes of the kids these days.

I first met Francis through my dad's dive buddy Dean Westgaard in Laguna Beach, CA. That had to be the early 1970's when Francis was attending Long Beach State College. Did a bunch of lobster dives back then.