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Scuba diving is a major attraction in Palau and scuba divers can experience drift dives, wall, cave, muck and wreck diving. Most of the dive sites are relatively well known for pelagics (big marine life) and at the time of my visit, we spotted napolean wrasse, schools of barracudas, sharks and manta rays along colourful coral reefs.
Rock IslandsThe Rock Islands are Palau's wonder of the world. The most impressive seascape I have seen it is truly the crowning glory. More than 200 of these jungle-topped knobs of limestone dot the waters for a 20 mile (35km) stretch south of Koror. Their bases, having been worn away by tidal action and grazing sea creatures, are narrower than their tops, causing them to look like emerald-hued mushrooms rising from the turquoise sea. From the air, they're a knock out, and flights from Koror to Angaur or Peleliu are worth taking just for the view alone. But it's the waters surrounding them that make the Rock Islands unique. Dive in and you'll find some of the most abundant and diverse marine life to be found anywhere.Video Dive Palau
Even if you don't dive, go on a boat trip to explore the Rock Islands, the Milky Way, lunch picnic, hiking, JellyFish lake, etc. Many things are only seen via boat since you have to go to another island.
AngaurIf you are like me and go the most remote places than Angaur is for you it is the southernmost of the Palau Islands group, and for the independent traveler looking to get off the beaten track, it has some serious South Seas charm. It's a low-key place, with only one village and just over 200 people, who are outnumbered 3-to-1 by crab-eating macaques. The monkeys descend from a pair brought over in the early 1900s to monitor air quality in the island's phosphate mines.where to stay: Island Villas Beach HouseC/O Angaur State Post BoxKoror, Palau 96940Telephone: (680) 277-1111Fax: (680) 277-1111Email: islandvillas@palaunet.comContact: Leon Gulibertor OK's MotelP.O. Box 685Koror, Palau 96940Telephone: (680) 277-1006Email: okasiano@yahoo.comContact: O. Kasiano
The Ngemelis Wall is widely considered to be the world's finest wall dive. Starting in knee-deep water, it vertically drops off nearly 1000 ft (300m), showcasing a brilliant rainbow of sponges and soft coral whose intense colors form the backdrop for quivering 9ft (3m) sea fans and giant black coral trees. Blue Corner is the country's most popular dive, where you can expect to be dazzled by an incredible variety of fins and flippers, from schooling sharks and barracudas to soft and hard coral.video of Ngemelis Wall
BabeldaobBabeldaob is a giant Island by Micronesia standards, has a land area of over 400 sq km. This make Babeldaob, more than four times the total area of all the other islands put together.Unlike most of Palau which are atolls Babeldaob is a high, volcanic island made of gently rolling hills, with beautiful stretches of sandy beach on the east coast and mangrove forests on the west. Parts of the jungly interior are virtually unexplored, and many of the villages are still connected by ancient stone paths. Very interesting romantic place to visit and in the north it has some of the prettiest beaches.Many of the island's hillsides were once terraced into steps and pyramids; archeological research suggest they were probably begun around 100 AD. Their purpose remains a mystery, and very curiously only one village was built anywhere near them.slide show video of Babeldaob
Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake, popularized in the a National Geographic TV special Medusa, wherein millions of tiny stingerless jellyfish float and bob in unison.Some of the Rock Islands have soft, white-sand beaches to laze about on after a dive, while others boast caves with dripping stalactites, rock arches and underground channels; ancient rock paintings (on Ulong Island); and half-carved Yapese stone money (in a cave near Airar Channel). And, oh yes, crocodiles.Video jellyfish lake
The wildlife is all around. Feral dogs roam the streets especially once you have gotten away from Koror. In the houses gecko's greet you constantly, and are seen as something of a nuisance similar to cockroaches. When traveling further away from Koror the jungle atmosphere is even more prevalent. I was fortunate to see many types of lizards, frogs and birds. All of which I had never seen or even heard of so i don't know if any of them are poisonous. The Lizard in the second pic actually dive bombed us on our hike.
Due to popular demand I am making a tip about scuba diving. After all that is the reason most people go to Palau and for good reason, the Palau Trench is one of the deepest trenches on earth and Palau is one of the few places on earth where Nautilus can be seen. The variety of coral and different species of ocean life is also as prolific as one can find anywhere. I personally did not go to Palau to dive, I went to visit relatives and did not scuba, I did do some snorkeling but that isn’t quite the same. I did not use any of these dive shops so I can't recommend anyone in particular. These companies and numbers are based on a travel pamphlet that I received in 2003.Aqua Magic - Palau - (680) 488-1119Neco Marine - (680) 488-2009/1755Fish 'n Fins - (680) 488-2637 or on the web at www.fishnfins.com this web site is in 4 different languages--Russian, English, German, and possibly Japanese...
is the best way to spend that pre-flight day when you're not supposed to go diving. Oh hell, I'd recommend to switch one 2-tank diving trip for kayaking anytime! They take you out with a speed boat and you only need to paddle around the nicest places, so it's suitable for anyone. You'll see fantastic lakes connected to the sea, beautiful beaches and there's many stops at great snorkelling spots.I've done kayaking trip with Sam's Tours and I can highly recommend them.
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Reviews and photos of Palau attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Palau sightseeing.
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Q: Hi all, I am planning do a diving trip to Palau. I will be flying from Singapore to Manila via a budget airline. May I know...
A: There are not many options so 'cheapest' does not rally count..you can fly direct from Manila to Palau a couple of times a week with Continental www.continental.com...
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