Sam's Tours
- Nitrox
- Trimix
- CCR
- Tec Diving
- Internet
- PADI
- Restaurant
- Swimming pool
- Camera Station
- Airport Transfer
- Child Friendly
- Spa/Massage
- Gym/Fitness
- Bar
Sam’s Tours is Palau's premier 5* PADI IDC Dive Centre and eco-adventure tour company based in Malakal Harbour, Koror, Palau. The full service dive centre offers a complete range of scuba experiences from introductory scuba programs through PADI Dive Instructor certification and includes technical diving services and re-breather support.
Sam’s Tours provide a full range of guided tours and services that includes full day or half-day trips and customized private charters for individuals, families and groups. Complete value-packed hotel & tour packages are offered in conjunction with Palau's preferred hotel properties. Complimentary round-trip shuttle service is provided daily to all Koror based hotels from early morning until late evening.
Accommodation
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1 Palau Pacific Resort
price per day: 495 USDThe Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) offers a combination of 160 luxurious rooms in an amazing resort style setting. It features a large private beach, swimming pool, two restaurants and bars, a fitness center, tennis courts, a beauty salon, a spa, and shops.
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2 Palau Royal Resort
price per day: 285 USDThe Palau Royal Resort features 157 luxurious guestrooms and suites overlooking the seascape of Malakal Harbor and is within walking distance to Sam’s Tours. Facilities include a private white sandy beach, two restaurants and bars, a swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, children’s play center, a spa, and shops.
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3 Palau Central Hotel
price per day: 150 USDThe Palau Central Hotel offers newly renovated Western-style rooms in the center of Palau’s downtown, being only steps away from restaurants, shopping and activities. Palau Central Hotel prides itself on service and comfort while offering the best value in Palau.
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4 Cove Resort Palau
price per day: 235 USDOpened in July 2016, Cove Resort Palau is situated on the island of Malakal, just opposite Sam's Tours. It is a waterfront oasis with a nautical theme, from its Hungry Marlin restaurant down to the rustic boatwood furniture. Cove Resort Palau also boasts the largest lagoon swimming pool in Palau, complete with a pool bar.
- Palasia Hotel 200$
- Rose Garden Resort 170$
- Carolines Resort 292$
- Palau Plantation Resort 180$
- West Plaza Hotel 124$
- Palau Paradise Hotel 140$
- DW Motel 82$
- S&C Hotel Suites & Apartments 105$
All accommodation rates are based on standard twin share room.
For more accommodation options contact us at dive@ldatravel.com
Dining
Located right on the water Bottom Time Bar and Grill (BTBG) is the ultimate sunset and evening spot for divers, yachties, Sam’s Tours staff, and locals, offering a diverse food and beverage selection.
The bar menu includes wine, breezy island cocktails, and an international selection of canned and draft beers ranging from locally brewed Red Rooster in 3 flavors, Stella Artois on draft, to Budweiser (USA), Asahi (Japan), San Miguel (the Philippines).
Culinary choices include grilled dishes, such as pork, beef, hamburgers, chicken and fish, sandwiches, and appetizers, calamari and more!
If breakfast is not included in your hotel, ask for an early pickup and come on down to Bottom Time to jump start your day with one of the excellent breakfast choices, including pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, and fruits.
Diving
TOURS INCLUDE: Hotel transfers within Koror, lunch, and refreshments, professional guide, tanks, and weights.
NOT INCLUDED: Mandatory government permits, dive gear rental.
Jellyfish Lake Snorkel Stop Can be booked with 2 or 3 tank dive day.
Sam’s Macro Wall diving is free of charge
Peleliu Diving (2 & 3 tanks) Advanced Divers Only
Free Nitrox up to 32% with proof of certification
- Full Day Diving (2 tanks) 155$
- Peleliu Diving (2 tanks) 190$
- Peleliu Diving (3 tanks) 225$
- Chandelier Cave Dive 40$
- 3rd Tank Dive 40$
- Night Dive 80$
- Jellyfish Lake Snorkel Stop 25$
- Private Dive Guide - Daily 100$
- Private Dive Guide - Weekly 400$
- Sam’s Macro Wall
- Free Nitrox
- Rebreather Support
- Tec Diving
Dive Courses
COURSE FEE INCLUDES: Hotel transfers within Koror, lunch and refreshments, course materials (unless otherwise stated), professional instructor, tanks and dive gear (except where dives are not included).
NOT INCLUDED: Mandatory government permits
The prices for SPECIALTY COURSES do not include dives; dives must be booked separately.
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving 180$
- PADI Open Water 700$
- PADI Open Water Referral 400$
- PADI Advanced Open Water 600$
- PADI NItrox Course 195$
- PADI Specialty Courses 150$
- PADI EFR 150$
- PADI Rescue Diver 675$
- PADI Divemaster 1600$
- PADI Open Water Instructor
Equipment Rental
Sam's Tours recommend the use of dive computer for all diving guests for safety reasons.
Full set includes (BCD, Regulator, Mask, Snorkel, Fins, Wetsuit)
Gear package includes 5 dive days.
- Full set 35$
- Full set + Dive computer 50$
- Full Gear Package 125$
- Full Gear Package + Computer 175$
- BCD & Regulator 25$
- BCD 15$
- Regulator 15$
- Mask & Snorkel 5$
- Fins 5$
- Wetsuit 10$
- Dive Computer 15$
- Dive Computer Package 50$
- Torch 7$
Facilities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Dive Shop
- Souvenir Shop
- Air-conditioned Classroom
- Camera Rinse Tank
Services
- Airport Transfer
- Hotel Pick-Up
- Hotel Drop-Off
- Land Tours
Activities
Beside the daily dive activities, Sam's Tours offers:
- Kayaking Tours
- Snorkeling Tours
- Rock Island Tours
- WWII Historical Tours
- Land Tours
Getting There
The following airlines offer regular services to Palau and have a local reservations office in Palau:
-Asiana Airlines offers two flights each week originating from Incheon, South Korea.
-China Airlines offers four scheduled flights a week via Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
-Delta Airlines offers flights from Tokyo, Japan, with good connections for flights originating in West Coast U.S.
-Japan Airlines mainly offers charter flights from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya.
-Korean Airlines offers two flights a week from Incheon, South Korea, with excellent connections for flights from Europe.
-United Airlines offers daily flights to Palau via Guam and Manila, with excellent connections from all US destinations.
Customised Packages Available Upon Request
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SAM’S TOURS and PALAU PACIFIC RESORT 7 NIGHTS
price: 2950 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
Complimentary breakfast daily
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gearPackage price based on High Season twin share Garden View Room.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and PALAU ROYAL RESORT 7 NIGHTS
price: 1920 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers, complimentary continental breakfast
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gearPackage price based on Regular Season twin share Superior Garden View Room.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and PALAU CENTRAL HOTEL 7 NIGHTS
price: 1490 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
Complimentary continental breakfast daily
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gearPackage price based on Standart twin share Room.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and COVE RESORT PALAU 7 NIGHTS
price: 1785 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
Book now
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers, Complimentary breakfast daily
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gear
Package price based on twin share Marina Blue Bay View Room. -
SAM’S TOURS and PALASIA HOTEL 7 NIGHTS
price: 1555 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
Complimentary breakfast daily
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gearPackage price based on High Season twin share Deluxe Town View Room.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and ROSE GARDEN RESORT 7 NIGHTS
price: 1655 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
Complimentary breakfast daily
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gearPackage price based on High Season twin share Standart Scenic View Room.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and PALAU PLANTATION RESORT 7 NIGHTS
price: 1515 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gear
BreakfastPackage price based on High Season twin share Premium Cabin.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and WEST PLAZA HOTEL 7 NIGHTS
price: 1315 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gear
BreakfastPackage price based on twin share Standart Room.
Book now -
SAM’S TOURS and PALAU PARADISE HOTEL 7 NIGHTS
price: 1260 USDPACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nights’ accommodation, taxes & service charges included
Roundtrip airport transfers
5 days of 2-tank boat diving
Complimentary 3rd tank dive at Chandelier Cave
Jellyfish Lake snorkeling after one of the 2-tank dive days
Unlimited diving at Sam’s Macro Wall
Professional guide, tanks, and weights
Free Nitrox up to 32% (with proof of certification)
Hotel transfers on dive days
Lunch and refreshments each dive day
Sam’s Tours water bottle and reef hook
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
Government permits and rental gear
BreakfastPackage price based on twin share Standart Room.
Book now
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Blue Corner
Dive Site
The corner is a flat plateau, running a couple of hundred yards out to sea before dropping off abruptly.
Consistently active with big and little fish action due to strong tidal currents.
Small hills, sand tunnels, and gorges cut into the reef.
Depending on the direction of the current, the pelagic fish will switch from one side of the corner to the other.
Marine Life
Gray Reef Sharks and White Tip Reef Sharks, Blue Fin and Bigeye Trevallies, large schools of Jacks and Snappers, Hawksbill and Green Turtles, Groupers, schools of Barracuda, a variety of small tropical fish, Napoleon Wrasse, Bump-head Parrotfish, Moray Eels, Mackerel, Wahoo and, on occasions, spotted Eagle Rays.
The critter list is almost endless: Leafy Scorpionfish, Nudibranchs, Lionfish, Anemone Fish.
Bigger pelagics are occasionally seen at the deeper reaches of Blue Corner: Hammerheads, Bull Sharks, Tiger and Whale Sharks, Marlin, Sailfish, Whales, Mantas, schooling Yellowfin and Dog Tooth Tuna. -
Blue Holes
Dive Site
Four vertical shafts that open on top of the reef into a large cavern with an exit on the outer reef wall.
It is common on an outgoing tide to dive through the Blue Holes and continue on to Blue Corner.
The cavern and holes were formed by fresh water erosion millions of years ago when water levels were much lower than they are today.
Marine Life
Tubastrea, Wire and Black Coral adorn the walls of the Blue Holes.
White Tip Reef sharks and Leopard Sharks can be seen sleeping on the sandy bottom of the cave or just outside the exit.
Special critters found inside the Blue Holes are the Flaming Scallop, Leafy Scorpionfish, Dart Fish, Nudibranchs and Cleaner Shrimps.
Wahoos, Barracudas, Dogtooth Tuna, White tips and Gray Reef sharks patrol the exit. -
Big Drop-Off & Ngemelis Wall
Dive Site
Sheer vertical wall, running along the whole length of Ngemelis Island, in some places only a few feet away from the island
The edge of the reef drops straight down to 900 feet.
One of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite wall dives.
Close to the mooring buoy, a large chain connected to a 6-foot steel sphere can be seen. This chain and ball were used during WWII to prevent the Japanese from entering the waterway leading to German Channel.
Marine Life
Gorgeous Soft Corals, Leather Corals, and Fans
Schools of Pyramid Butterfly Fish and Square Spot Anthias forage for plankton just off the wall.
Moorish Idols, Sergeant Majors, Yellowtail Fusiliers and a variety of Angelfish are found along the edge of the reef.
Gray Reef, White Tip, and solitary Leopard Sharks patrolling back and forth along the drop-off.
White Tip Sharks, Nurse Sharks and Leopard Sharks can be seen sleeping on the sandy bottom.
The very well-camouflaged Leaf Fish, Stonefish, and Lionfish.
Green and Hawksbill Turtles.
Anemones and many colorful reef fish on the reef top. -
Chandelier Cave
Dive Site
A cave system made up of five separate, connecting chambers with air pockets (4 are water-filled).
Over the millenniums, rainwater, percolating down through the limestone, eroded the interior of the islands, forming vast cave systems.
Chandelier Cave was once an open-air cave.
The stalactites and stalagmites slowly grew into formations resembling glittering chandeliers.
After the last ice age, the water level slowly rose, completely concealing the cave's entrance.
3 depth charges from WWII can be found on the left of the entrance.
Halocline inside the cave (mixing of salt and freshwater or sediment, creating a layered effect).
Marine Life
Soldier Fish and Cardinal Fish inside the cave.
Small shrimp and crabs that cling to the sponges found along the walls.
The elusive Mandarin Fish and other small reef fish around the cave's entrance. -
Devil Fish City
Dive Site
Famous for its Manta Rays, generally between January and April.
3 cleaning stations.
Best during slack high tide or incoming tide.
Marine Life
Sides of the channel are lined with massive fields of sea whips, sea fans, soft corals, and large stands of evergreen Tubastrea corals.
Highlights are cleaning stations where Manta Rays hover while Cleaner Wrasse and Butterfly Fish rid them of parasitic isopods living in and around their mouth, gills and belly.
Coral heads are adorned with hundreds of copper Sweeper Baitfish.
Rainbow Runners, Reef Sharks, Bumphead Parrotfish, Black Snappers, Black-Bar Barracudas, Unicorn Fish, Striped Skipjacks, Fusiliers, Crocodile Fish, Nudibranchs, Leafy Scorpionfish. -
German Channel
Dive Site
During the German occupation of Palau, guano (phosphate) was mined on the southern island of Angaur.
In order to bring guano to town, the Germans blasted and dredged a channel that connected the inner lagoon with the open ocean.
The outside mouth is dived on the incoming tide when nutrient- and plankton-rich current flows into the inner lagoon.
Known for Manta Rays, schooling sharks and an abundance of tropical fish.
Marine Life
Schooling Jacks, Barracudas, Trevallies, and Snappers.
Cuttlefish and Black Tip reef sharks in the shallows.
Sandy bottom is home to Garden Eels and Blind Gobies.
Mantas can usually be seen feeding on plankton at the mouth of the channel.
Both Mantas and Reef sharks are known to get cleaned by Cleaner Wrasse and Butterflyfish at the cleaning stations in the late afternoon.
Mantas will approach a cleaning station a couple of times before they hover over the station to get cleaned. -
New Drop-Off
Dive Site
Two reef walls meet here to create a dramatic corner with a plateau, before dropping into the abyss.
Marine Life
Schooling Blue Stripe Snappers, Black Snappers, Napoleon Wrasse, Barracudas, Spotted Eagle Ray, 6-Banded Angelfish, Regal and Emperor Angelfish, Hawksbill and Green Turtles.
Clouds of Pyramid Butterfly Fish, Square Spot Anthias, Redtooth Triggerfish, Moorish Idols, Sergeant Majors and Yellowtail Fusiliers along the reef edge.
Gray and Whitetip Reef sharks patrolling the wall and corner.
Search for Leafy Scorpionfish, Moray Eels, nudibranchs and turtles on the plateau.
Sea anemones along the upper reaches of the wall.
Very large Gorgonian fans and healthy soft corals on the sheer reef walls. -
Ngedbus Coral Garden, Wall & Corner
Dive Site
At Ngedbus Coral Garden, many deep canyons and crevices cut the slope and are home to a large variety of marine life.
There is usually no current present. Visibility is best during incoming tide.
A gentle coral slope drops from the top of the reef down to 75 feet, before it changes to a ridge of broken corals and sand.
Ngedbus Wall is a sheer reef drop.
At Ngedbus Corner, a small plateau at around 25 feet extends out from the wall.
Marine Life
Crocodile fish, Stingrays, Cuttlefish and the Ornate Eagle Ray are commonly seen.
Schools of Black Tip Reef Sharks usually come up close to the Coral Garden.
Many Gray Reef Sharks patrol the walls and circle around the corner.
Along the reef's edge, Pyramid Butterfly Fish and myriads of Redtoothed Triggerfish congregate.
Schools of Barracuda, Rudderfish, Snappers, Napoleon Wrasse, Lionfish, Emperors, Puffers, Turtles, as well as big pods of Spinner Dolphins can be seen.
Sea fans, Whip and Wire corals, healthy soft corals. -
Ngerong Outside & Inside
Dive Site
Ngerchong Outside Wall is a steep drop-off.
It gets shallow and wide at the entrance to Denges Channel, also known as Ngerchong Channel.
Shaped like a horseshoe and with a sandy bottom, Ngerchong Inside curves toward Denges channel and is protected by the outer reef wall.
Marine Life
Wall is covered with a variety of soft and hard corals.
Look for Gray Reef Sharks, Black Tips, White Tips and sometimes Leopard Sharks.
September-November, Ngerchong Outside is a nursery for baby Gray Reef Sharks. Look for large schools of juvenile sharks around 10 inches long at around 60 feet, accompanied by an adult female.
Cleaning stations can be found along the face of the reef wall around 60 feet.
At Ngerchong Inside, Cuttlefish can be seen year round as it is a breeding and hatching ground. Females will lay dozens of 2-inch long grape-shaped white eggs among branching hard corals. She will hover around her nest until the eggs hatch. To locate the cuttlefish, swim along the edge of the reef where it meets the sandy bottom, and stay 3-6 feet off the bottom. Cuttlefish are masters of disguise.
Shrimp, Crab, Nudibranchs, Feather worms, Garden Eels and many shells, turtles and, occasionally, Mantas or Sting Rays. -
Peleliu Express & Yellow Wall
Dive Site
Yellow Wall is a vertical wall that runs parallel to the southern tip of Peleliu Island.
Yellow Wall is named after the golden yellow tube corals that cover the wall along this area of the reef.
The Reef has a number of crevices, arches and small caverns to explore.
At approximately 100 feet, the reef forms a plateau before dropping off thousands of feet.
The Peleliu Express is famous for its ripping currents that can seemingly come out of nowhere and change direction without warning. When the current is running, this site is considered the ultimate in drift dives. During Full and New Moon, the currents are more severe.
Marine Life
The strong currents at this point attract many pelagics like Sharks, Barracuda, Tuna, Rays, huge Giant Groupers and Napoleon Wrasse, Oriental Sweetlips, Palette Surgeonfish and large Rainbow Runners.
Schools of Jacks, Snappers, Redtoothed Triggerfish, Anthias and Pyramid Butterflyfish along the edge.
The top of the reef abounds with Sweetlips, Emperors, Wrasse, Groupers and Eels.
Green and Hawksbill Turtles eat the Yellow Tube Corals.
Rare sightings of Blue Marlins, Sailfish, Whalesharks, pods of Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales and Orcas. -
Peleliu Wall & Cut
Dive Site
Peleliu Wall is one of the deepest and most beautiful wall dives in Palau.
Deep canyons, crevices and caves cut into the wall, offering hideouts and shelter to a large variety of marine life.
Peleliu Cut is where the ocean currents flowing around the archipelago converge, making up some of the strongest currents you will experience in Palau.
Due to the unpredictability and strength of currents, the Peleliu Cut is considered an advanced drift dive.
Marine Life
Famous for large pelagic fish action.
Bright yellow soft corals, wire and whip coral, bushes of Black Coral and huge sea fans cover the walls.
Gray Reef Sharks, White Tip Sharks, Barracudas and Jacks.
On rare occasions, Sailfish, Marlin, Bull sharks, Silver Tips, Hammerheads, Tiger sharks, Sperm Whales and Orcas have been spotted.
The plateau and reef's edge host large numbers of tropical fish, including Pyramid Butterfly Fish, Square Spot Anthias, Moorish Idols, Sergeant Majors, Yellowtail Fusiliers, Palette Surgeonfish, Bumphead Parrotfish, Triggerfish, Leafy Scorpionfish and Purple Anthias. -
Shark City
Dive Site
Shark City consists of sheer vertical walls, moderate slopes, and canyons. The reef creates a corner with a plateau on the top.
This finger-shaped reef is Palau’s westernmost point.
Marine Life
Gray Reef Sharks, schools of Barracuda, Snappers and Unicornfish patrol the walls and corner.
Pyramid Butterfly Fish, Square Anthias, Moorish Idols, Napoleon Wrasse, Spotted Eagle Rays and Yellowtail Fusiliers, large schools of silver Barracuda, Big-Eye Trevallies, and Black Snappers.
Large patches of Lettuce Corals and Staghorn Corals can be found on top of the plateau and the canyons boast huge Gorgonian Fans.
Rare visitors include Bull Sharks, Silver Tips and Hammerhead Sharks. -
Short Drop-Off
Dive Site
A steep reef wall turning toward the open sea. At the corner, the drop off will gradually change to a massive deep plateau.
Got its name due to its proximity to Koror.
Marine Life
White Tips, Gray Reef and Black Tip Reef Sharks.
A Large variety of soft and hard corals.
Large schools of Batfish, Blue Tail Jacks, Parrotfish, Butterfly Fish and wrasses.
Eagle Rays and Octopus.
During September to November, this is a nursery for baby Gray Reef Sharks. Schools of juvenile sharks, 10 inches in length accompanied by an adult female, patrol the water at around 100 feet.
This site is also where lucky divers might see the Chambered Nautilus. Nautilus live in depths exceeding 600 feet and come up to the shallows to feed at night. Nautilus are found only near the equator and prefer near-freezing water temperature. They are believed to not have changed in over 400 million years. -
Siaes Corner, Wall & Tunnel
Dive Site
Siaes Tunnel is an enormous, deep underwater cavern with 3 openings into the chamber from the side of the reef wall.
The floor of Siaes Tunnel was, at one time, at sea level. A ledge around the 100 feet mark is where the ocean, during the last Ice Age, used to strike the shallow reef.
The outside wall drops vertically to around 150 feet, before it slopes off hundreds of feet to the ocean floor.
Siaes Corner is perched over a deep blue abyss where currents can get very strong.
Marine Life in the Tunnel
White Tip Reef Sharks and Stingrays resting on the sandy bottom in the cavern.
Pyramid Butterfly Fish, Anthias and schools of Big-Eye Trevallies and Snappers at the entrance.
Bushes of Black Coral, Soft Coral and Gorgonian Fans.
Rare Angelfish hide among the crevices at the top of the cavern (notably, the Blue-Black Pygmy Angelfish, Multicolor Pygmy Angelfish and Colin’s Angelfish), Rare Burgess Butterfly fish, Decorated Dartfish and Helfrich’s Dartfish.
Gobies and shrimps on the sandy cave floor.
Marine Life on the Wall and Corner
At incoming tide, large schools of Gray Reef Sharks, Barracuda and Jacks can be seen patrolling the edge of the reef.
Green and Hawksbill Turtles, Square Anthias, Sergeant Majors, Pyramid Butterfly fish, Moorish Idols, Anthias, Angelfish and Yellowtail Fusiliers are found in abundance along the edge. -
Turtle Cove & Barnum’s Wall
Dive Site
The reef extends out to a plateau from and around Ngercheu Island.
On top of the reef at Turtle Cove is a mini blue hole that forms a large cavern.
Numerous small caves, arches and ledges.
Turtle Cove is a vertical reef wall.
Currents can be strong at the corner.
At Barnum’s Wall, the reef moderately slopes down and then changes its formation into a rough sandy run-off. Before the reef reaches the corner, it changes to a sheer wall.
Marine Life
Schools of Big Eye Jacks, Striped and Black Snappers, Goatfish, Pyramid Butterfly Fish, Hawkfish, Square Spot Anthias, Moorish Idols, Titan Triggerfish, Anemones, a variety of Angelfish and Yellowtail Fusiliers.
Different species of Nudibranchs.
Gray Reef Sharks and White Tips patrol the reef top.
Turtles, large Groupers, Sweetlips.
White Tip Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks like to rest on the sandy run-off.
Gorgonian Fans, Crinoids, Soft and Leather Corals.
Important Tips -
Turtle Wall
Dive Site
Turtle Wall is the central part of a vertical wall that runs along the whole length of Ngemelis Island.
The reef is extremely deep, descending to over 900 feet.
A popular gathering site for Green and Hawksbill turtles.
Marine Life
Turtles, turtles and more turtles! This is one of the few dive sites that live up to its name. You will almost always see turtles swimming, eating, sleeping and sometimes you can even see them mating. Male turtles have a noticeable tail, whereas females have no visible tails.
Pyramid Butterfly Fish, Square Spot Anthias, Moorish Idols, Yellowtail Fusiliers and Snappers are found all along the edge and top of the reef.
Schools of Rainbow Runners, Gray and White Tip Reef Sharks, Fusiliers and Napoleon Wrasse.
Tubastrea and small hard corals adorn the wall. Deeper down, sea fans, soft coral colonies and sea whips are found. -
Ulong Channel
Dive Site
The barrier reef runs perpendicular to Ulong Channel.
The sandy bottom of the channel is decorated with numerous coral heads and coral formations.
The sides of the channel start just below the surface and gradually slope toward the sandy bottom.
Currents can be strong and unpredictable.
Marine Life
During incoming tides, Gray Reef Sharks, Sting Rays, schools of Jacks, Snappers, Barracuda and Batfish patrol the mouth of the Channel.
During Full Moon, between April to July, thousands of Groupers gather here to spawn.
When Titan and Yellow-Margin Triggerfish are nesting in the Channel, they become extremely territorial and protective of their nest sites. They will dig out large grooves in the sandy bottom to lay their eggs.
An enormous Lettuce Coral that has grown from the bottom of the channel to a height of 15-20 ft.
Turtles, Reindeer Wrasse and small reef fish.
Huge Giant Clams and Whip Corals. -
Virgin Blue Hole
Dive Site
A single opening on the shallow reef extending as a vertical shaft 28-30 m/90-98 ft deep.
The hole, about 8 m/25 ft in diameter, turns into a large tunnel approximately 35 m/115 ft long, with an exit to the outer reef wall.
After exiting, continue to swim along the reef wall.
The tunnel and hole were formed by fresh water erosion millions of years ago, when water levels were much lower than they are today.
It is common to dive Virgin Blue Hole at incoming tide.
Marine LifeTubastrea, Wire and Black coral adorn the walls of Virgin Blue Hole.
White Tip Reef Sharks and Leopard Sharks can be seen sleeping on the sandy bottom of the cave, or just outside the exit.
Many species of nudibranchs and shells can be found along the sandy bottom.
Special critters inside are the Flaming Scallop, Leafy Scorpionfish, Dartfish, Nudibranchs and Cleaner Shrimp.
Wahoos, Barracudas, Dog-tooth Tuna, White Tip and Gray Reef Sharks patrol the exit.