snorkeling house reef at PPR

[pword]

Anyone snorkeled at the "house reef" from the beach at Palau Pacific Resort on their days off or after diving? If so, how is the snorkeling? Visibility? Safety for solo snorkeler? Are you required to stay inside a barrier? It looks as if it's a cove so is there any boat traffic? Also heard there is a hiking trail at PPR. Anyone done that?

 

[Damselfish]

It was awhile ago but I remember quite enjoying the snorkeling at PPR, lots of colorful giant clams and cool fish and I think very good viz. I don't remember being concerned about boats or anything, probably want to be careful if you head out further or over near the dock, just common sense.

We also did some great snorkeling on a kayak day trip with Sams in the rock islands, including one spot that was full of mandarin fish. I highly recommend that.

I don't recall a hiking trail exactly, might have missed it. But it was a great property to wander around and explore, and there was a path over to the little island or peninsula that had some kind of war relics.

 

[matdiver]

Hi pword,
actually I always try and spend the last day snorkelling at that house reef - departing flight time permitting! On the 4 occasions I've been able to spend a day at PPR, it never seemed crowded, and you can certainly snorkel on your own no problem. There's a rope that links to a small swim platform several hundred metres out, and there aren't any boats between that and the beach. You probably wouldn't want to go beyond that rope. Apart from the giant clams, there are quite a lot of small colourful fish, and I've even seen a krait, calmly hunting and completely ignoring me for 20 minutes or so. The vis. is perfect. In the shallows I spent ages watching one of those fish/shrimp combos, where one keeps the hole in the sand clean and the other keeps watch. After a week's liveaboard diving with sharks and mantas it's obviously a bit gentle, but it's a very very nice way to relax before the 24 hour flight back to Europe!
Cheers,
Matthew

 

[pword]

Thanks so much for all the advice and detailed information. Extremely helpful in swaying me to snorkel at PPR.