Palau Liveaboard vs Land based diving

[aleem.k713]

Hi everyone, Im planning a trip to Palau next March/April and trying to decide between liveaborad and land based diving. Anyone have any experience doing both and which they liked better. Any recommended dive shops or liveabords would be great too.

 

[jameseg]

I was just in Palau in November, on the Palau Aggressor II. We didn't do land-based at all, but one of the other couples on our boat said they did a land-based Palau trip a couple years earlier and much preferred the liveaboard. Although you can visit most of the same sites via land-based, you spend a lot more time in a small boat and can't fit in as many dives a day.

The Palau Aggressor II was exceptional, in my opinion. The boat appeared to have been renovated recently - the carpet in the cabins looked brand new and everything worked as it should. It was also the most stable boat I've ever been on (it's a catamaran) and the crew were excellent.

If I was going again (and I hope to one day), I would definitely go liveaboard again. In addition to the factors above, I enjoy the camaraderie of liveaboards. But no matter who you you dive with or where you stay, I don't think you can go wrong with Palau - it's the best diving I've done.

James

 

[BoltSnap]

I have done both and there is NO reason to do land-based at all. Liveaboard all the way!!

 

[Damselfish]

I haven't done land based diving there, but I can't imagine going to Palau and doing anything other than a liveaboard. You get in way more dives without spending so much of your day on a small boat. And you spend that time lounging while they bring you cookies and snacks.

Some people do like land based. Maybe to save money, or they don't like the idea of a liveaboard instead of land, or they're with a non-diver. Some people say they they like the boat rides, which are certainly pretty as boat rides go. I do think it's nice to spend a few days on land afterwards to relax and explore a bit. A kayak tour in the Rock Islands is pretty great.

 

[Cali_diver]

I have done both... Liveaboard much more preferred.

 

[Nomad-Diver]

I also did both in Palau, and second the above comments : liveaboard was far better. I had a great week on Ocean Hunter III and would recommend it.
I hope you have a fun time.

 

[divin'dog]

I was on the Palau Siren last summer with a group who had stayed landbased in Palau a couple yrs before. They all said liveaboard was the way to go. From a resort, the boat ride could be 45mins-1hr for the sites furthest away. On a liveaboard, you travel at night and are there in the morning. Or you travel during the day in between dives. The liveaboard would anchor in a calm harbor and the skiff ride would be anywhere from 5 to 15 mins. Diving in Palau is pretty spread out over all the sites/islands. The best is waking up to a dead calm view of the ocean and seeing the sun rise over the horizon while I'm having my cup of java before the rest of the boat wakes up.

 

[drbill]

No question that you can get more dives in on a liveaboard. However, you don't get the same exposure to the people and culture of a country that you can while diving land-based. I chose to dive with Palau Dive Adventures and had a fantastic time. We went to all the dive sites the liveaboards go to... and then a few they don't. The crew was fantastic. And I had weekends mostly off to explore the land-based opportunities. Of course when I go to a remote destination, I prefer to stay 2-3 weeks so I get in plenty of dives and capture more than enough video to produce my videos.

 

[MV Dive]

A liveaboard is the best choice for a number of reasons, the main one for me is that you won't have to spend 2-3 hours of your day traveling from Koror to the dive sites. if the weather sucks then it's a really long day. The liveaboards are only 10 minutes away from the main dive sites and you can do your first dive before the day boats arrive. You get much better flexibility with your dive times to make sure you hit the peak currents at the best times. If you do want to experience the local culture then you can add a few days after the liveaboard trip. There is limited things to do in Palau apart from diving and it's pretty pricey so a few days is good enough. Make sure you do get down to Peleliu Island, there is a great WW2 tour.

 

[divin'dog]

... Make sure you do get down to Peleliu Island, there is a great WW2 tour.

+1 for the tour!
An excellent tour given by a guide who has talked to many of the WWII veterans and knows everything about the island's involvement in the war. Be prepared to walk into the caves and through some jungle...