Palau Diving

Exploring an Underwater Paradise

Discover why Palau is considered one of the world's premier diving destinations, with its extraordinary marine diversity and pristine underwater landscapes. From legendary sites like Blue Corner to hidden gems throughout the archipelago, Palau offers unforgettable diving experiences year-round.

Boot Show 2026:
You can find Fish'n Fins at boot 2026 in Hall 12 / E32 (Beluga Stand)

Palau Diving - Exploring an Underwater Paradise

Nestled in the crystal-clear waters of the Western Pacific, Palau stands as one of the world's best diving destinations. This archipelago of over 300 islands offers divers an amazing underwater experience with pristine reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and abundant marine life. Whether you're an experienced diver or planning your first tropical dive trip, Palau delivers unforgettable underwater adventures. Let's explore everything you need to know about diving in this Pacific paradise.

Is Palau Good for Scuba Diving?

Palau isn't just good for scuba diving - it's exceptional. Consistently ranked among the world's top diving spots, Palau's waters host an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem that few places on Earth can match. The archipelago is home to over 1,500 species of fish and more than 700 species of coral, creating a vibrant underwater landscape teeming with life.

What really sets Palau apart is its commitment to marine conservation. In 2015, Palau designated its waters as a marine sanctuary, creating one of the world's largest protected marine areas. This conservation effort has allowed marine life to flourish, giving divers amazing encounters with sharks, manta rays, turtles, and huge schools of fish.

The diving conditions in Palau are typically excellent, with water visibility often exceeding 100 feet, allowing you to fully appreciate the underwater scenery. Water temperatures stay comfortable year-round, typically ranging from 82-86°F (28-30°C), making wetsuits optional for many divers.

While Palau offers sites suitable for beginners, many of its most famous dive sites have strong currents that require some experience to navigate safely. That said, local dive operators are skilled at matching divers with appropriate sites based on their experience level, ensuring everyone can enjoy Palau's underwater wonders.

What is the Best Month to Dive in Palau?

Traditionally, diving guides have recommended Palau's dry season (November to April) as the best time to visit. However, in recent years, the difference between wet and dry seasons has become less noticeable. Climate change has altered weather patterns, resulting in more consistent conditions throughout the year.
Currently, there isn't a big difference in rainfall between the traditional "wet" and "dry" seasons - both can have clear, sunny days and occasional rain showers. The main difference now is the trade winds that typically arrive during the traditional wet season (May to October). These winds can create choppier waters and larger waves, which may make boat rides to dive sites less comfortable but rarely affect the diving experience once underwater.

Water temperature stays remarkably stable year-round, between 82-86°F (28-30°C), so you don't need to time your visit based on water comfort. Visibility also remains generally excellent throughout the year, though it may temporarily decrease after heavy rainfall.

Some marine life does follow seasonal patterns. For instance, manta ray sightings tend to be more common from December to March, while certain coral spawning events happen at specific times of the year. If you have particular wildlife interests, it's worth researching these patterns when planning your trip.
Ultimately, Palau offers exceptional diving throughout the year, and the best time to visit may depend more on your schedule and preference regarding weather conditions than on underwater factors.

Where is the Best Dive Site in Palau?

Palau features over 50 documented dive sites, each with its own character and appeal. While "best" depends on personal preferences, certain sites have achieved legendary status among divers worldwide.

Blue Corner stands as Palau's most famous dive site, and for good reason. This underwater plateau features strong currents that attract an amazing concentration of large marine life. Divers typically hook into the reef with reef hooks (a conservation-friendly practice in this specific location) and float in the current while watching gray reef sharks, napoleons, barracudas, and massive schools of jacks and snappers swirling in the blue. The experience is often described as "flying underwater" and represents the highlight of Palau diving.

German Channel rivals Blue Corner in fame, offering a different but equally spectacular experience. This man-made channel, cut through the reef by German engineers during colonial times, now serves as a corridor for manta rays traveling between the lagoon and ocean. The channel features cleaning stations where mantas come to have parasites removed by smaller fish, giving divers up-close encounters with these gentle giants. Patient divers may also spot reef sharks and occasionally leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom.

While these two sites often dominate conversations about Palau diving, the destination offers numerous other world-class sites -
•    Ulong Channel presents a thrilling drift dive through a coral-lined channel with vibrant reef life and often large schools of fish.
•    Blue Holes Palau features a series of caverns with sunlight filtering through openings in the ceiling, creating beautiful light effects.
•    Jellyfish Lake, while a snorkeling rather than diving experience, offers the unique opportunity to swim among millions of non-stinging jellyfish.
•    Peleliu Wall provides a dramatic vertical drop-off with incredible visibility and the chance to spot larger pelagic fish.
Fish 'n Fins, Palau's premier dive operator, offers detailed descriptions of all major dive sites on their website for those wanting to explore specific locations.

How Much is Diving in Palau?

Diving in Palau is a premium experience with pricing that reflects the destination's remote location, excellent facilities, and protected status. While costs can vary based on season and specific operators, here's what you can expect to pay.
Daily diving typically ranges from $190-250 per day for two-tank dives when booking directly with operators. Most dive centers offer package deals, with 5-day packages (10 dives) costing approximately $950-1,250. These packages include boat transportation, tanks, weights, lunch and professional guides but may not include equipment rental.

Fish 'n Fins stands out as Palau's premier dive operator and the only one-stop-shop for hotel and dive packages in the country. They offer package deals with several of the best hotels and resorts in Palau and provide online pricing and booking availability on their website for maximum convenience. What sets Fish 'n Fins apart is their high-end service combined with competitive pricing - their 5-dive day packages offer the best value in Palau for divers wanting to maximize their underwater time.

The quality of dive staff can significantly impact your experience, and Fish 'n Fins has the most experienced team in Palau. Their guides have worked with the company for many years, knowing the reefs and especially the currents like the back of their hands. This expertise means enhanced safety and better wildlife encounters, as experienced guides know exactly where and when to look for marine life. Fish 'n Fins puts the comfort and safety of guests first, consistently going the extra mile to ensure memorable diving experiences.
For those needing to rent gear, full equipment packages (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins) typically cost $35-50 per day, with discounts for longer rentals. Many operators offer free nitrox for certified nitrox divers, adding value for those qualified.

Additional costs to consider include -
•    Koror State Permit - This permit includes access to the Rock Islands and costs $50, valid for 5 days
•    Jellyfish Lake entry - $100 (if planning to visit this unique attraction, includes $50 Koror State Permit, valid for 5 days)

For divers seeking the ultimate Palau experience, liveaboards provide intensive diving schedules and access to more remote sites. The Ocean Hunter Palau is widely regarded as the best liveaboard option in Palau, offering up to 5 dives daily and the finest food of all liveaboards in the region. What truly sets Ocean Hunter apart is its exceptionally experienced staff, with each crew member having been with the company for over 10 years. This level of experience is rare in the diving industry and ensures guests receive top-notch service and expertise.

Liveaboard prices typically range from $3,000-5,000 per person for a 7-night trip, depending on the vessel's luxury level and the cabin type. While this is a significant investment, the comprehensive diving experience and quality of service provided by operations like Ocean Hunter make it worth it for many dedicated divers.

When budgeting for a week of diving in Palau, plan for approximately $1,600-2,500 per person for diving and accommodation only (meals and international transportation not included). While not a cheap destination, most divers find the extraordinary underwater experiences well worth the money.
Conclusion

Palau stands as a testament to what happens when nature is respected and protected  - an underwater wonderland of extraordinary biodiversity and beauty. From heart-pumping drift dives alongside sharks at Blue Corner to peaceful encounters with manta rays at German Channel, Palau delivers the full spectrum of diving experiences.

The quality of your dive operation can make or break a Palau diving trip, particularly given the challenging currents at some sites. Choosing an established operator like Fish 'n Fins with experienced guides who understand local conditions ensures not only safety but also maximizes wildlife encounters and overall enjoyment. Their combination of comprehensive services, from hotel packages to equipment rental, simplifies the logistics of a Palau diving vacation.
For those seeking the most immersive experience, the Ocean Hunter liveaboard provides the opportunity to live and breathe Palau diving, with multiple daily dives, great meals, and the guidance of the most experienced crew in Palau's waters.

While reaching this remote paradise requires effort and money, those who make the journey rarely regret it. Palau consistently ranks among divers' most memorable destinations, often becoming a place they return to again and again throughout their diving careers.

Whether you're drawn by the legendary dive sites, the conservation success story, or simply the appeal of diving in one of the planet's last pristine marine environments, Palau deserves its place on every serious diver's bucket list. The memories of drifting in clear blue water, surrounded by thriving marine life, will stay with you long after your tanks are dry and your logbook is filled.

More information:
Fish'n Fins on Taucher.Net
Fish'n Fins Website

You can find Fish'n Fins at boot 2026 in Hall 12 / E32 (Beluga Stand)