Palau- Land options

[poseiden]

I have read a few of the threads on Palau- and was wondering about the options for land diving from Koror/Peleiu.

I have read a bit about Carp Island- is there only the one resort there? Does that mean you have to buy food from the resort (no other options)? Similarly for dive operator?

Peleliu- there seem to be quite a few accomodation options- not just the Storyboard or the West Plaza- anyone? And dive operations from there?

And Koror- again, the accomodation seems to be: Palau Pacific; Sam's Tours organised; or West Plaza. Anyone else? And any other dive operators besides Sams?

Do most of the operators have the same size boats? Large/small? I imagine they would need to be pretty sizeable to get to the German Channel sites in only an hour.

We would be be looking at cheap options for diving & accomodation, in case you hadn't cottoned on by now

Additionally- recommendations for overnight camping on the Rock Islands? Trips to Babeldaob via kayak or hiking? Homestays/Overnight hiking in Ngchesar?

I will try and collate information from other threads in this post if I can, to give future visitors a reference.

 

[poseiden]

Carp Island Resort
Rooms: ($offpeak-peak)
Cottages: $90-100/double
Suites: $130-150/double
Dive houses (2-4 pp room): $20-25/pp

Diving: (incl. lunch)
3 tank: $135-$150
2 tank $100-$115

Food: ("buffet-style")
breakfast/lunch/dinner: $9/$12/$20

Transport: (0:45-1hr from Koror)
Koror-Carp: 7:30-8:30
Carp-Koror: 2:30-5:00

*15% diving discount available for 4-7 days; 20% for 8+ days

Review by swisstrav

 

[champ]

There are several different dive shops in Koror. Necco Marine, Sam's, .... They will all try to rape you $100 for a two tank dive. The Palau Hotel in Koror had clean aircondtioned double rooms with refrigerator and TV for $25 US per night. A lot of the liveaboards will discount trips 30-50% if they are slow and you book on site (This is your best option if it is available. You go to Palau to DIVE and on the liveaboard you get 5 dives a day.) Most boats are open skiffs with two big outboards on back - they will take up to 12 divers. Pelilu has few hotels and dive operators (from what I could tell with my 4 hours on the island).

 

[poseiden]

Storyboard Resort
Rooms: (queen/twin)
$90+10% tax

Diving:
2 tank: $90

Food: ("buffet style": western/asian/local)
(breakfast/lunch(box)/lunch(restaurant)/dinner)
$6/$3.50/$8/$12

Transport:
Resort boat: $35 one-way (0:45 trip)
Koror-Peleliu: 8am
Peleliu-Koror: 2pm
Public boat: $4 one-way (2:30 trip)
unknown schedule

Jennefer's report
InToyko's report on scubadiving.com
Another Storyboard Resort thread

 

[Rooster]

Check with Cindy at MDA. She has some great trips to Palau and the other Islands out here. We are going to Palau in Oct. Five nights four days of diving for $950. Includes diving with Sam's, Hotel (West Plaza), Airfare from Guam (where I live). Lunch and breakfast on dive days. Check here for some other hotel/ dive operation combos. http://www.mdaguam.com/palau.htm
There is also info on other Hotels and liveabords. We have been to Palau several times. Have dove with Sam's and Fish and Fins. Stayed at the Palau Pacific Resort, Marina hotel, and the West Plaza. If you have any questions feel free to drop me a line.

 

[scubabamatxn]

What are the recommended vaccinations for travel to this destination?

 

[poseiden]

Dive package deals:
West Plaza by the sea:
5 nights/4 dive days (2 dives/day)/1 day kayak tour: $680 pp
Tree-D Motel:
5 nights/4 dive days (2 dives/day)/1 day kayak tour: $626 pp

Accom only:
West Plaza:
Tree-D Motel: $55 double/day

Diving only: (standard 2 tank dive/3rd tank)
Dive Palau: $109/45
Fish n' fins: $105/40
Neco Marine: $99.50/35
Sam's Tours: $99/35

 

[poseiden]

What are the recommended vaccinations for travel to this destination?

I don't think there are any. There is no malarial mosquitos and no tropical diseases.
Only occasional outbreaks of dengue fever, for which there is no vaccine anyway.

 

[poseiden]

Sam's tours rent kayaks and camping gear.

Apparently it is also possible to be dropped off by a diving boat and picked up at a future time (I think you can even contact them by cellphone to pick you up)