Palau trip suggestions please

[cozcharlie]

Hi, would you mind telling me more specifics? I can't seem to find local, non-resort shops. looking for land based

thanks.

The two main land operators catering to English speaking and European customers are Sam’s Tours and Fish N Fins . They have already been mentioned multiple times in this thread (while I assume both can do hotel packages , they are not normally thought of as resort operators since there clients come from multiple resorts). Neco Marine also does trips I believe but not sure their target market (Asian vs. Europe/Americas) . There are obviously some other operators that cater to Asian tourists but I am not sure of their names.

 

[Centrals]

Fish 'n Fins also has LoB(expensive).
I had done both land based and LoB and the latter is the only way for me personally.
By the time the day boats arrived at Blue Corner, all the strategic areas are packed with divers on reef hook.
It is a long long way to dive Peleliu and most land based operator just would not entertain the idea.

 

[Nic2750]

Hi, would you mind telling me more specifics? I can't seem to find local, non-resort shops. looking for land based

thanks.

I can recommend Cruise Control, Blue Marlin, Fish & Fins, and Sam's Tours. I bounce between them depending on my mood and their availability, and I've never had problems with any of them.

Cruise Control and Blue Marlin usually do 3 dives/day, while the others give the option to do either 2 or 3 dives. As a general rule, if the company you try is booked out on a given day, try one of the others - they all go to the same dive sites, they're all in the same general area (Malakal), and I believe all of them offer hotel pick up and drop off if you need it (I've never used it, but I've definitely seen them do it).

 

[Nic2750]

Fish 'n Fins also has LoB(expensive).
I had done both land based and LoB and the latter is the only way for me personally.
By the time the day boats arrived at Blue Corner, all the strategic areas are packed with divers on reef hook.
It is a long long way to dive Peleliu and most land based operator just would not entertain the idea.

I've dived both Peleliu and Angaur as boat dives departing from Malakal. The boats leave early, there's a surcharge (for extra fuel) and an extra permit (for Peleliu/Angaur), and you need a certain number of people to make it worth their while to go down there.

The shops I dive with will only take experienced divers to Peleliu or Angaur, but the definition of "experienced" varies between shops - some want to see you dive in a strong current (eg. Blue Corner) and will make a judgement call, while others want a certain number of logged dives. Other shops might have different criteria.

 

[Centrals]

The shops I dive with will only take experienced divers to Peleliu or Angaur, but the definition of "experienced" varies between shops - some want to see you dive in a strong current (eg. Blue Corner) and will make a judgement call, while others want a certain number of logged dives. Other shops might have different criteria.

Those nine divers were extremely lucky to be found together alive.