Palau: Sam's vs. Fish N Fins vs. Neko

[audrocks]

I'm planning a 7nt trip to Palau for July and am trying to decide which operator to use for diving/hotel package - Sam's, Fish N Fins and Neko.



All 3 get good reviews and the prices seem nearly identical. Has anyone had recent experience with more than one and if so what do you recommend? After reading this forum and others I've not read anything negative at all about any, which is unusual.



For Sam's & Fish N Fins their package prices with the hotels seem to vary in price a bit - for example, 7 nt package for the West Plaza booked with Fish N Fins is $1260 (single occupancy) whereas Sam's price for the West is $1490 (single occ). Has anyone noticed this or have any thoughts as to the reason?

 

[wowpalau]

Dear Audrocks,
Greetings from Palau and hope you are doing fine. Sam here from Sam's Tours and I would like to let you know what 's included with our package. You do get all that was mentioned like 7 NIGHTS HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, FIVE (5) DAYS OF 2-TANK BOAT DIVING WITH SAMô TOURS, FREE NITROX (SHOW PROOF OF NITROX CERTIFICATION), FREE JELLYFISH LAKE VISIT, ONE FULL-DAY TRIP WITH PLANET BLUE SEA KAYAK TOURS, ROUND-TRIP AIRPORT AND DAILY HOTEL TRANSFERS, DAILY HOTEL FULL BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS ON ALL TOURS, KOROR STATE ($35) & PELELIU STATE ($20) GOVERNMENT PERMITS, 10% HOTEL ROOM TAX.
Plus unlimited dives on our house reef that is loaded with lots of mandarin fish, juvenile & mature sea creatures of all sorts, a sunset view bar & grill, Digital Photo Center with camera/video rentals, personalized videos, internet, camera tables. Please be sure to send us an email if you would like any additional information. Thanks for taking the time to visit ScubaBoard and have a great day,
Sam of Sam's

 

[TaraBelt]

My husband and I just got back yesterday from Truk and Palau. In Palau, we dove with Sam's. It is a great operation with great people! They have a convenient shuttle service and a restaurant with good food and good prices. Palau was gorgeous with some great diving. Each day we spent our surface interval on a beach on one of the many islands. That was a fun and relaxing way to have lunch and wait for the next dive! We stayed at Palau Pacific Resort so I can't comment on the West. We will definitely return some day soon!

 

[Travelnsj]

I've been to Palau 8 times. I have dove with Neco Marine once and it is a good operation. And I have dove with Keith/Dive Palau and Sams the last few years. I have always found Sams to be an excellent operation.....In fact in 3 weeks I will be diving with Sams again for 10 days or so....pricing difference may be something Fish & Fins left out.....make sure you are comparing apples to apples....I'd vote Sams!