Palau Liveaboard Recommendations

[jklassy]

I'm heading to Palau in February. Of course with such short notice I may have trouble getting on a liveaboard, but was wondering if any of you have recommendations for decent boats. Spent a bit of time researching and only found the Agressor, Ocean Hunter, and Big Blue Explorer. OH is out of my price range, Agressor is closer but their availability isn't great and I would prefer something a little less expensive. Not sure about BBE. Are there others I should consider?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Taxgeek]

I liked the Aggressor, but have heard good things second hand about the BBE. Eric Cheng, who I think posts here but I'm not sure, did a nice trip report on the BBE, you might be able to find with a google search.

 

[AlaskaDiver]

Dive with us via boat from shore! If cash becomes a great concern or liveaboard is just too short of a time, you can meet us there for days -boat diving. I love the integration of land based cultural activities. I'm from Eagle River. Hubby & I will go to the Philippines & Palau in Feb. We are in Palau on 2/15 - 03/03.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

I don't think Eric posts here, but you can easily get him if you post on Wetpixel (www.wetpixel.com), his underwater digital photography website. Mike Veitch who is on Yap can probably give you some good info on Palau as well. Mike, are you out there?

 

[jklassy]

I currently have a mileage ticket that puts me in Palau / Yap for 3 1/2 weeks. Can't really be gone that long, and can't really afford Palau that long, so....I'm trying to shorten it. The only available change puts me in Yap for 4 days (hopefully 3 diving) and Palau for 9 days - tentatively planning 7 on Big Blue Explorer liveaboard. But...here's my question - is it worth a 60k mileage ticket if I'm only going to be there for 12 days???

Alaska Diver - I'm from Anch. My tentative trip is scheduled for roughly the same time as yours. If we end up in Palau at the same time we should definitely get together.

 

[Taxgeek]

Quick answer, jklassy - yes, it's worth it. ;-) Definitely.

 

[Mike Veitch]

yep worth it.

I would always recommend the Palau Aggressor but i am biased... i worked on it for 3 years....

 

[AlaskaDiver]

We'll be booked via Sam's Tours. If you come ashore during your stay, Sam's should have all of our contact info or simply PM me. Would love to meet you. If you are interested in diving in Whittier locally, I dive year round on weekends (okay, only on days above 20F).
Christa

 

[Zeina]

BBE is an excellent boat!!
I loved it, and everyone else who has been on BBE has loved it as well.
Here's the link to my trip report http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=2011

 

[jklassy]

BBE is an excellent boat!!
I loved it, and everyone else who has been on BBE has loved it as well.
Here's the link to my trip report http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/tripreports.php?s=2011

That was an awesome trip report! Thanks!! Just the perfect thing to get me excited about Yap and Palau (as if I weren't already excited enough), but more importantly to reassure me that I made the right decision in choosing to dive with BBE and Beyond the Reef. I just wish I had more than 3 days in Yap...