Palau - The Diver's Dreaming Destination

  • Departure Date: Apr 30th, 2010 (Fri)
  • Return Date: May 6th, 2010 (Thu)

Palau is one of the most extraordinary diving spots on this planet. Far to the southwest of Micronesia the Republic of Belau (the traditional name) consists of an archipelago of 343 islands, spread north to south over 100 miles from the atoll of Kayangel to the island of Angaur plus five tiny islands, known as the southwest islands.

Palau's profuse, unspoiled reefs offer a wealth of marine life, coral formations and wrecks. Dives begin in knee deep water and plunge straight down to depths of 1000 feet and more.

Blue holes, huge caverns and an immense variety of rare and exotic marine species are easily accessible in clear water with visibility exceeding 200 feet. Vast numbers, not found anywhere else in the world, of large pelagic predators, sharks, turtles, dolphins and many species of migratory fish gather here at a unique crossroads of three of the world's major ocean currents. Land locked marine lakes, accessible from the sea through tunnels beneath the island's steep shorelines, are home to rare jelly fish, anemones and soft corals.

Palau offers an enormous number of diversified diving experiences not duplicated anywhere else in the world. There are over 100 different dive sites in and around the 90 mile coral lagoon and adjacent islands.

Palau was named the Number One Underwater Wonder of the World by CEDAM -- a group of marine scientists and conservationists. Over 1300 types of fish inhabit the region, including manta rays, barracuda, sharks and giant clams. The world famous Rock Islands are a divers "must" with magnificent wall diving at such legendary sites as Blue Corner, Ngmelis Drop-off, Blue Hole and Peleliu Corner. Because of the clarity of the waters, snorkeling is excellent in or near almost all of the famous dive sites of Palau.

Dive Site Introduction

Blue Corner

This world famous dive site is without a doubt the most requested dive in Palau. Not for the faint of heart, this is an advanced dive with sometimes very strong and unpredictable currents. Exactly the conditions that attract the many sharks to this ridge that jets out to the open ocean and drops to thousands of feet.

Blue Holes

Immediately next to famous Blue Corner is a large cavern called Blue Holes. Divers enter from any of four large holes in the top of the shallow reef and decend down into the dramatic cave. The light from above comes in from all angles and is one of the most dramatic scenic dives in Palau.

Big Drop Off

Depending on the tides, the top shelf of this reef can skim the water's surface or sit just two feet from the surface. The wall drops straight down to over 600' and is another one of Palau's most spectacular dives.

Ulong Channel

This channel is sometimes referred to as Ngerumekaol Pass. Due to the close proximity of Ulong Island it is commonly known as Ulong Channel. Ulong Island is a great place for a picnic because of its beautiful beaches and its historical significance. Ancient Palauans painted a series of petroglyphs on the high cliffs of the island. Be sure to have your Dive Guide point out the petroglyphs as you pass the western side of Ulong Island.

New Drop Off

New Drop Off is part of a vertical wall, which runs along the entire length of Ngemelis Island. The wall starts at German channel, runs to the southwest as Big Drop Off and then changes its name to Turtle Wall. From Turtle Wall the reef curves to the north and New Drop Off begins. The top of this reef starts is just a few feet below the water. During extreme low tides, the top of the reef will be exposed. The two reef walls meet here to create a dramatic corner with a plateau at 30 feet (10 meters) before dropping down to 300 to 450 feet (100 to 150 meters). As the reef continues to the north, the wall changes into a moderate slope.

German Channel

One of the most famous dive sites in Palau, German Channel was built during the German administration of Palau to allow ships to pass from the southern island of Peleliu and Angaur to Koror. Today it is used by dive operators as passage through the southwestern barrier reef to many of the outside dive sites.

Jellyfish Lake

Jellyfish Lake (Palauan: Ongeim'l Tketau, "Fifth Lake") is a marine lake located on Eil Malk island in Palau. Eil Malk is part of the Rock Islands, a group of small, rocky, mostly uninhabited islands in Palau's Southern Lagoon, between Koror and Peleliu. There are about 70 other marine lakes located throughout the Rock Islands. Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau's most famous dive (snorkeling only) sites. It is notable for the millions of golden jellyfish which migrate horizontally across the lake daily.

Milk Lake

A very fun place for full-body spa.

Schedule and Program

  • Day 1 (30 Apr, Fri) Departure
    Meet together and check in at Pudong airport around 14:00 in the afternoon.
    Transfer at Manila to KOROR airport, flight at 22:10.
  • Day 2 (1 May, Sat) 3 dives
    Arrive at 01:50am, check in at Palasia Hotel, Palau.
    3 day dives at German channel / Ngerchong inside / Ngerchong outside
    Stay over night at Palasia Hotel
  • Day 3 (2 May, Sun) 4 dives
    Three day dives at Ulong channel / Siaes corner / Siaes tunnel and one night dive
    Stay over night at Palasia Hotel
  • Day 4 (3 May, Mon) 4 dives
    Three day dives at Blue corner / Blue hole / Big drop off and one night dive
    Stay over night at Palasia Hotel
  • Day 5 (4 May, Tue) 3 dives
    Three day dives at New drop off / Turtle cove / Barnum's wall
    Stay over night at Palasia Hotel
  • Day 6 (5 May, Wed) Departure
    Dry day, packing and take late flight (19:35) to Manila.
    Overnight stay at Manila Pavilion Hotel.
  • Day 7 (6 May, Thu) Back to Shanghai
    Flight at 11:30am from Manila back to Shanghai

* Dive sites could change due to weather conditions.

** Jellyfish lake and milk lake tour will be arranged in one of four diving days depending on the weather

Hotel Information

Palasia Hotel Palau ( http://www.palasia-hotel.com/ )

This First Class Deluxe Hotel, with 7 floors and 3 basement levels, opened in the summer of August 24, 1998, located in the central business district of the State of Koror. Situated in the heart of the island, this strategic location provides everyone easy accessibility to numerous restaurants, shopping centers, souvenir shops, open beaches and other public facilities on the island.

Manila Pavilion Hotel

Situated in the heart of Manila, the Manila Pavilion Hotel is minutes away from the centers of business, government and commerce and numerous parks, churches and cathedrals. Whether you are a business executive or a leisure traveler, you will find the best Manila accommodations and world-renowned Filipino hospitality at the Manila Pavilion Hotel in Manila, Philippines.

Cost

Dive trip for Palau

  • Diver: 10,880 RMB / per person
  • Non-diver: 6,080 RMB / per person

Optional Extras

  • Shanghai - Palau flight ticket: 7,500 RMB / per person (this is our estimated price)
  • PADI Nitrox Diver Course: 600 RMB / per person (for this trip only)
  • Extra day dives: US$ 40 / per Dive ( Minimum of 4 persons )
  • Nitrox Fills: FREE
  • DAN Insurance - 1YR membership 195AUD (CC) or 1,000RMB (cash)
  • Equipment Rental Charge Full rental: US$ 30 / per day
  • Mask + Snorkel: US$ 5 / per day
  • Fins: US$ 5 / per day
  • Wet suit: US$ 10 / per day
  • Underwater Light: US$ 8 / per day
  • Regulator: US$ 10 / per day
  • BCD: US$ 10 / per day

Costs Included

  • Travel Insurance
  • Transfer between the airport, hotel and dive site in Palau
  • 5 nights twin shared room accommodation in Palau (Palasia Hotel), breakfast included
  • 4 dive days (3 dives every day)
  • Divemaster service, tank, weight, lunch and drink
  • 2 night dives
  • Permit for Jellyfish Lake, valid for 10 days
  • 1 night twin shared room accommodation in Manila (Pavilion Hotel)
  • Transfer between the airport and hotel in Manila

Costs Excluded

  • (Click for details for Restaurants Recommendations at Palau)
  • Lunch for non-diver
  • Shanghai-Manila-KOROR flight tickets
  • Airport tax USD35 for KOROR airport
  • Departure tax PHP750 for Manila airport
  • Dive Equipment
  • Extra dives
  • Visa application (2 Philippines Visas)
  • Soft drinks and beer
  • Anything not listed in the costs included

Restaurants Recommendations at Palau

A meal usually costs USD25-40 per person at Palau restaurants.

If take the taxi to the restautant from the hotel, it costs about USD10 per cab.

Papago Resort

Top seafood restaurant

Yano's

Actually, Yano's is a retail shop selling the traditional and local food. Here you may see a lot special products as tree chips, turtle meat, Dongpo pork of Palau style, taro dissert, and etc. It is near Palau's biggest shopping mall WCTC. Many tour guides also buy local food in this shop.

TO-TO-TO (very popular)

This restaurant is a must-go place at Palau. The meals there is a mix of Japanese food and Palau flavor. The environment is very romantic that good for groups and couples as well. The Land Crab is a very special meal here and every guest would try a bit. The cook combined the crab meat and coconut juice together and it tastes really good.

Taiwan Restaurant

The Taiwan groups often eat in this place. It offers Taiwan cooking style seafood, seafood hotpot and many snacks.

7Eat Restaurant

This restaurant always has a lot group guests. The ordinary meal is around USD6-7, of course the seafood is much more expensive. This is a good restaurant if 3-5 friends ordered hot fried meals.

Bem Ermii

This is the only street vendor in Palau, selling hamburgers. Open until 2am, very nice American baked hamburger, worth to try! The cook is Philippines. Maybe the price is a bit high, but the taste will never disappoint you.

Capricciosa

A typical Italian vegetarian restaurant.

Chinese Restaurant

This restaurant offers China Northern food, as dumplings, green onion pancakes, etc.

Dragon Tei

This restaurant offers the most expensive Yokohama food in Palau, cooked by famous Japanese chef.

Tian Chi Restaurant

A traditional Cantonese restaurant, selling Cantonese ducks and pork, also, their seafood is cooked well.

The Rock Island Cafe

A typical American fast food restaurant, offering pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, with very good services.

Suriyo Thai

A traditional Thai food restaurant, cooking seafood in a Thai way, the special spicy taste of Thai is impressive.

Leader and Instructors available

  • Leigh Chan - PADI Instructor (#255357)

Requirements

  • Be a certified diver or register as a non-diver.

Seat Limitation

We have 16 seats for this trip, but due to the trip during May holiday, the flight tickets are in short supply. So, we advise you not to wait. Sign up today!

Remarks & General information

  • Free 30 days Visa upon arrival for all visitors in Palau
  • LIST OF COUNTRIES ALLOWED VISA-FREE ENTRY in Philippines
    http://www.philcongenshanghai.org/visa-free.htm
  • We can help to apply for a Philippine Visa (if needed - please inform us at booking).
  • You'll need your Passport and Dive certification
  • The water temperature is around 26 - 28c, 3mm shorty or full wet suit, thin Wetsuit or rash vest is suggested.
  • Dive sites could change due to weather conditions.
  • NO SPEAR FISHING.
  • You will be responsible to follow Safe Diving Practices and dive within your limits.
  • Indicate that you should wait a minimum of 18 hours and sometimes up to 24 hours after diving before you fly.
  • USD is acceptable in Palau
    Philippine Peso is acceptable in Manila
    the rate for USD is 1 USD for 45-47 Philippine Pesos.
  • The power supply in Palau is 220 volt / 60 Hz, the power adapter is twin pins plug, same as in China; The power supply in the Philippine is 220 volt / 60 Hz, the power adapter is twin flat pins plug.
    ( )
  • Palau standard time is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT+9 ), 1 hour before China.
  • Please note we need a Minimum 10 guests for departure.

Reservation & cancellation

Please email or call before to check availability.

50% deposit is necessary to secure your seat, the remaining balance must be paid 20 days before departure.

For cancellations less than 20 days before the trip we are not able to give refunds.

If you need a reservation or have any questions, please contact us by sending email to or call 86-21-6291 2110.

Big Blue is looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you very much.