Palau: February 4-12, 2011

(Palau with Truk Extension: Feb. 4-21, 2011)

Palau is the western-most cluster of six major island groups which make up the Caroline Islands, 600 miles east of the Philippines. Home to many world class dive sites, Palau has recently made history by establishing the first shark preserve in the world. Palau is known for incredibly clear water to explore the 1300-1500 hundred species of reef fish inhabiting the surrounding coral lagoon and adjacent islands. 

We have booked our diving through Sam’s Tours. Sam’s is a PADI 5-Star Dive Center that will take great care of us during our stay. 

Boats are custom dive boats fully equipped for safety and comfort. There is a maximum of 6 divers per guide. A typical day would have us leaving the dock around 9:00 am. Our dive trip begins with a 45-minute ride through Palau’s beautiful inner lagoon. As you might expect, Palau offers a wide variety of diving sites but is probably most famous for its drift dives, such as Blue Corner. After the first dive, surface intervals are spent on beautiful rock island beaches or snorkeling sites on the outer reefs. During this time lunch and refreshments are served. Afterwards you may want to enjoy snorkeling, beach combing, island exploration, or just kick back and rest before suiting up for the next dive.  On most days we will return to Sam’s dock around 4:00 pm.

Changes (upgrades):
Single rate:     Add $685 per person
Non-diver rate: Available on request

• RT flights from Los Angeles to Palau

• All ground transfers as long as you are traveling with the group

• 7 nights accommodations Deluxe Oceanview at the Sea Passion Hotel with late check out on departure day

• Breakfast daily and lunches on the 5 scheduled dive days

• Hotel tax and service charges

• 5 days of diving (2 tanks daily PLUS 3 tanks on two days for a  total of 12 dives)

• Unlimited diving at Sams’s Macro Wall

• Snorkeling trip to the famous Jellyfish Lake

• Free Nitrox (with proof of certification)

• Location - 7° 30' North Latitude, 133° 30' East Longitude

• Offical Languages - English and Palauan

• Time Zone - When it's Noon Monday in Palau, it is: Los Angeles 7:00 P.M. Sunday

• Climate - Palau enjoys a pleasantly warm climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82° degrees F. Rainfall can occur throughout the year, and the annual average is 150 inches. The average relative humidity is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare as Palau is located outside the typhoon zone.

• Currency & Credit Cards - The official currency of the Republic is the U.S. Dollar. Visa, JCB, Master Card, and American Express cards are widely accepted at stores and visitor facilities.

• Tipping - Tipping is optional, but appreciated.

• VISA and PASSPORT Requirements - All visitors must have a valid passport not less than 6 months from date of expiration and proof of return arrangements. Citizens of United States of America, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Guam, and the Common Wealth of Northern Marianas Islands with valid passports are issued 1 year Visa upon arrival.

Palau with Truk Extension!

Here is an opportunity to extend your “tour” of Micronesia at very reasonable price. For limited number of  travelers we will be offering a extension to the famous dive sites of Truk Lagoon. Truk Lagoon is a 30-mile by 40-mile long atoll fringed by 140 miles of reef. 

Most divers are aware of the history here where 60 Japanese warships and 275 airplanes sank to the bottom of the lagoon during an attack by American forces in February of 1944.  First made famous for its diving by Cousteau in the 1970s, the dive sites here are accessible to all levels of sport divers.  They also provide habitat for local fauna and flora and many are covered with beautiful soft corals and sponges.

Diving has been arranged with the Blue Lagoon Dive Shop, which has been in operation for over 30 years. They are conveniently located on the grounds of the Blue Lagoon Dive Resort. A normal dive day would have us go out at 9:00 am and return for lunch at noon. The afternoon dive would leave around 1:30 and return around 4:30 pm. Our dives are guided and we can choose the wreck sites we wish to explore. Here is a brief list of popular dive sites – note that many are not deep:

Betty Bomber 20m/66ft (upright)

Emily flying Boat 17m/55ft (upside down)

Fujikawa Maru 30m/100 ft (upright)

Gosei Maru 30m/100 (lies on port side)

Heian Maru 28m/90 (lies on port side)

Nippo Maru 45m/150 ft (upright)

Sankisan Maru 22m/72 ft (upright)

Shinkoku Maru 28m/90 ft (upright)

Yamagiri Maru 30m/100 ft (lies on port side)

San Francisco  Maru 50m+/165 ft+ (upright-Twin Tank Dive Only)

Rio De Janeiro Maru  30m/100 ft (lies on starboard side)

Changes (upgrades):
Single rate:     Available on request
Non-diver rate: Available on request

• Palau Package +

• Additional flights to and from Truk

• 1 additional night at the Sea Passion Hotel (due to air schedules)

• 7 nights accommodations at the Blue Lagoon Resort

• 5 days of 2 tank diving

DAN Membership & Diving Insurance

Sample packing checklist