Palau - Land based Diving Options?

[gee13]

Hi All

Im thinking of my next travel destination and Palau has been on the list to cross off, as Maldives will be crossed off soon. So what are my options should I want to take my wife and small child. I have heard of Palau Pacific Resort who does dive packages, but do they go out to the famous sites - ala Big Drop Off/ German Channel/ Blue Corner? If not which land based diving is closest to these sites. Also what time of year would be reccomended - we will be planning for May or June. Thanks

 

[BikerManiac]

If I had a choice again, I would do a liveaboard in Palau. Diving in Palau is my number one destination for diving. The Maldives is a close sedond, but the clear water, amazing marine life, breath-taking views. I still have not being to a place with better scuba diving than Palau.

I used Sam's Tour in Palau and they are excellent in technically everything related to your diving experience. You will not be disappointed if you choose them.

One thing to consider is that the majority of the dive sites are 30 minutes away and there isn't much to do in Palau besides diving. You can do some tours to look at the WWII sites, jelly fish lake, etc.

 

[HowDidIGetIntoThis?]

Gee13, PPR is very nice - very deserving of its 4 star rating. We used Neco Marine and were quite happy with their service.

Liveaboards certainly have their advantages however we enjoyed the commute to and from the dive sites and definitely enjoyed the short taxi ride ($7US) into town to sample some of the other restaurants and attractions.

The dive boats serving PPR will go to all the sites you've mentioned, subject to weather conditions of course.

November was fine, although of the 28 days we spent in that corner of the world we didn't have one that was completely cloudless and had our share of cloudbursts. Can't have all that lush vegetation in a desert, I suppose.

Have a great trip.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Can't go wrong with any of the big three Koror land based dive ops which pick-up from PPR: Neco Marine, Fish n' Fins and Sams Tours. The boat ride through the Rock Islands out to the dive sites is one of the most scenic spectacles you'll ever see; however, it can be a very rough & cold ride in heavy seas and rainy conditions. I recommend bringing a light rain poncho to wear over your wetsuit during these conditions, and also on your Surface Interval/Lunch spent on one of the Rock Islands during inclement weather. The best time to go is any period not around the Christmas/New Year's Holidays, or any major Japanese Holiday during the year. . .

 

[BikerManiac]

or any major Japanese Holiday during the year. . .

Agreed
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It's interesting. I was just browsing the Continental website..

From Hawaii to Palau RT = ~$1150
From NYC to Palau via Hawaii = ~$1400

 

[GillyT]

I arrived in Palau from Guam with a backpack and two weeks diving experience. Fish N Fins took great care of me, we hit all the main dive sights, and gave me a ride to my $20 hotel room each day. It was the start of a very special trip and a lifelong journey. I highly reccomend them!

 

[Ulises]

I've been diving with Neco Marine and the experience was absolutely amazing. Excellent installations, amazing ships, good equipment... Probably one of the most high-level dive center I've been. Such a pity is so far away form Barcelona!

 

[Travelnsj]

I do land based only and use Sams. Over the years I have stayed at the PPR, Sunrise, Carolines and for the last few years the West Plaza. All the dive ops head out to the Blue Corner etc....takes about an hour....May-June weather wise should be good.