Palau Explorer Trip (Koror - Koror)

Ocean Hunter 3 · Micronesia · 11D/10N

Duration
11D/10N
Embarkation
Koror, Micronesia
Disembarkation
Koror, Micronesia
Dives
Approximately 40 dives in total

About this route

Discover the pristine beauty of Palau, a world-renowned dive destination celebrated for its vibrant reefs and abundant marine life. This trip offers an immersive experience into a protected marine sanctuary, where divers can explore diverse ecosystems ranging from World War II wrecks to thriving coral gardens. Encounters with sharks, rays, and a myriad of pelagic species are common, making Palau an unforgettable adventure for underwater enthusiasts.

Regions on this route

PalauKoror

Highlights

Amazing Macro Spots

Dedicated macro dive spots in Palau reveal a hidden world of tiny, fascinating creatures. These areas encompass diverse habitats like sandy flats, rubble patches, and coral crevices, perfect for spotting rare nudibranchs, gobies, pipefish, and other intricate critters. Patience and a keen eye are rewarded with exceptional photographic opportunities.

  • Macro photography
  • Rare critters
  • Nudibranchs and gobies
  • Unique invertebrates

Loot and Lots of Sharks

Dive sites known for their historical "loot" often combine fascinating artifacts with thrilling shark encounters. These areas frequently have strong currents which attract a variety of shark species, including grey reef, whitetip, and sometimes even bull or hammerhead sharks. The blend of historical exploration and significant pelagic action makes for an exciting dive experience.

  • Historical artifacts
  • Frequent shark sightings
  • Strong currents
  • Pelagic action

Plummeting Manta

Experience the awe-inspiring sight of manta rays "plummeting" down into specific channels and cleaning stations. These sites are typically characterized by strong, nutrient-rich currents that draw in large numbers of manta rays for feeding or cleaning rituals. Divers can observe these majestic creatures up close as they gracefully navigate the water column.

  • Manta ray encounters
  • Cleaning stations
  • Strong currents
  • Graceful pelagics

Pristine Reefs

Palau's reefs are celebrated for their untouched beauty and vibrant ecosystems. These sites often feature dramatic drop-offs, expansive coral gardens, and a remarkable diversity of fish life, providing a rich environment for exploration. Strong currents can be present, attracting pelagic species.

  • Healthy coral gardens
  • Diverse fish life
  • Dramatic drop-offs
  • Strong currents

Unique Spawning Dives with Thousands of Fish

Palau offers rare opportunities to witness unique fish spawning aggregations, where thousands of individuals gather for mass reproduction. These events attract a diverse range of marine life, including predators. The sites usually feature healthy reef structures and clear waters, providing an incredible spectacle of nature's cycles.

  • Fish spawning aggregations
  • Thousands of fish
  • Predator encounters
  • Healthy reef systems

WWII Wrecks

Palau is home to numerous World War II wrecks, offering a unique blend of history and marine habitat. These sunken vessels and aircraft have become artificial reefs, covered in corals and teeming with life. Divers can explore various compartments, encountering unique macro species and larger marine animals that have made these wrecks their home.

  • Historical wrecks
  • Artificial reefs
  • Unique marine habitats
  • Macro life

Requirements

  • CertificationOpen Water
  • ExperienceNo minimum logged dives required.

Good to know

  • Dives are suspended 24 hours before flying on the penultimate day.
  • Itineraries serve as examples only and are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Day-by-day plan

  1. Day 1: Embarkation – Koror

    Board the Ocean Hunter III in Koror and settle into your cabin. Meet the crew and fellow divers during a welcome briefing as the vessel prepares for its journey. The day is dedicated to getting acquainted with the liveaboard and preparing for the exciting dives ahead.

  2. Day 2: Palau's Pristine Reefs and WWII Wrecks

    Wake up to coffee and sweet rolls before the first morning dive. Today's dives will explore some of Palau's pristine reefs, offering opportunities to witness vibrant coral formations and diverse fish populations. Depending on the itinerary, the day might also include a dive on a WWII wreck, known for its historical significance and unique marine habitats. These sites often feature excellent visibility and a chance to see various reef fish and smaller pelagics.

  3. Day 3: Exciting Reefs and Big Drop Offs

    Today's itinerary focuses on exploration of Palau's exciting reefs, characterized by their immense biodiversity and dramatic topography. Divers will encounter impressive drop-offs and walls, often experiencing exhilarating drift dives. These areas are commonly sighted with schools of pelagic fish and various shark species, making for truly dynamic underwater encounters. The vibrant coral formations here provide a stunning backdrop for photography.

  4. Day 4: Loot and Lots of Sharks

    Today's dives are planned around sites known for their historical artifacts and frequent shark encounters. Divers can expect to explore areas where remnants of past conflicts lie, providing a unique backdrop for marine life. The currents in these locations often attract various shark species, offering thrilling opportunities for observation. The topography here can include rich coral formations alongside the historical features.

  5. Day 5: Plummeting Manta Diving

    Today's diving program is designed to maximize encounters with manta rays, particularly focusing on sites where they are known to "plummet" or feed in specific current-rich areas. These locations typically feature strong currents and nutrient-rich waters that attract these magnificent creatures. Divers can expect drift dives along channels or cleaning stations, offering excellent opportunities for observing manta ray behavior. The surrounding reef structure often includes vibrant soft corals.

  6. Day 6: Unique Spawning Dives and Thousands of Fish

    This day is dedicated to experiencing unique spawning aggregations, depending on seasonal timing, where thousands of fish gather. These spectacular events often occur in specific reef channels or pinnacles, drawing in a wide array of marine predators. Beyond spawning activity, the dive sites chosen for today are rich in general fish diversity, often presenting large schools of various species. The visibility is typically excellent, allowing for clear views of these incredible underwater spectacles.

  7. Day 7: Macro Moments and Critter Hunting

    Today's dives will be focused on sites renowned for their macro life and opportunities for critter hunting. These areas typically feature varied substrates such as sandy slopes, rubble fields, or protected bays, which are ideal for spotting elusive small creatures. Divers can expect to find a fascinating array of invertebrates, small fish, and unusual critters. The focus is on slow, careful exploration, often in shallower depths with good light for photography.

  8. Day 8: Palau's Pristine Reefs and WWII Wrecks

    Wake up to coffee and sweet rolls before the first morning dive. Today's dives will explore some of Palau's pristine reefs, offering opportunities to witness vibrant coral formations and diverse fish populations. Depending on the itinerary, the day might also include a dive on a WWII wreck, known for its historical significance and unique marine habitats. These sites often feature excellent visibility and a chance to see various reef fish and smaller pelagics.

  9. Day 9: Exciting Reefs and Big Drop Offs

    Today's itinerary focuses on exploration of Palau's exciting reefs, characterized by their immense biodiversity and dramatic topography. Divers will encounter impressive drop-offs and walls, often experiencing exhilarating drift dives. These areas are commonly sighted with schools of pelagic fish and various shark species, making for truly dynamic underwater encounters. The vibrant coral formations here provide a stunning backdrop for photography.

  10. Day 10: Loot and Lots of Sharks

    Today's dives are planned around sites known for their historical artifacts and frequent shark encounters. Divers can expect to explore areas where remnants of past conflicts lie, providing a unique backdrop for marine life. The currents in these locations often attract various shark species, offering thrilling opportunities for observation. The topography here can include rich coral formations alongside the historical features.

  11. Day 11: Disembarkation – Koror

    Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarking the Ocean Hunter III in Koror. Guests will check out and transfer for their onward journeys, taking with them memories of an unforgettable dive adventure in Palau.

Upcoming departures

  • 2027-02-01 – 2027-02-11from 5,493 USDBook
  • 2027-03-12 – 2027-03-22from 5,492 USDBook
  • 2027-04-20 – 2027-04-30from 5,492 USDBook
  • 2027-05-10 – 2027-05-20from 5,492 USDBook
  • 2027-10-02 – 2027-10-12from 5,492 USDBook
  • 2027-11-02 – 2027-11-12from 5,492 USDBook
  • 2027-12-26 – 2028-01-05from 5,492 USDBook
  • 2028-03-12 – 2028-03-22from 5,492 USDBook

All routes of this liveaboard

About the vessel

Ocean Hunter 3Ocean Hunter 3Micronesia
← Back to vessel: Ocean Hunter 3