Discover an underwater world where vivid coral gardens and rainbow-colored fish await in Palau, a hidden gem where each snorkel dive is a plunge into a vibrant, living masterpiece. Experience the extraordinary blend of natural beauty and marine conservation in one of the world’s most prestigious underwater sanctuaries.
About This Trip
- Enjoy daily snorkeling outings on a private boat to the best snorkeling sites in Palau’s Rock Islands, such as Big Drop Off, Ulong Channel, and Blue Corner.
- See dazzling hard and soft coral gardens and abundant reef fish.
- Learn about Palau’s marine biodiversity, local conservation efforts, and unique cultural history as you explore the islands.
- Enjoy some of the world’s best snorkeling!
Palau is a snorkeler’s paradise, and our land-based Palau snorkeling trips take you on an in-depth exploration both above and below the water’s surface.
Lying at the southwest corner of the Western Caroline Islands, only nine of Palau’s 343 islands are inhabited. Its giant coral lagoon, within one encircling barrier reef, consists of the exposed peaks of an undersea mountain ridge that stretches between Japan and New Guinea. Harboring more species of marine life than any similar-sized area in the world, Palau is one of the best snorkeling sites on the planet. The abundance and diversity of Palau’s marine life, its shallow water accessibility and excellent visibility reveal a dazzling array of rainbow-colored fish, sponges, and breathtaking corals.
The scenery above water is equally spectacular. The famous Rock Islands are a maze of unsurpassed beauty—tropical gardens atop limestone ridges set in glass-clear waters. From our base in Koror we take easy day-trips to the jungle-capped Rock Islands, to Turtle Cove, Soft Coral Arch, and Ngemelis Wall. Our naturalist accompanies all excursions, providing information on coral reef life, marine ecology, and the natural and cultural history of Micronesia. Our itinerary includes spectacular snorkeling and marine life explorations, as well as leisurely island walks. Palauans excel in crafts, and some of your free time can be dedicated to visiting sites of cultural significance.
Palau Snorkeling Trip Wildlife Highlights
The focus for this trip is on the underwater inhabitants of Palau’s pristine coral reefs, including colorful soft and hard corals, sponges, anemones, sharks, sea turtles, giant clams, cuttlefish, octopuses, manta rays, colorful nudibranchs, the endemic Palau nautilus, abundant tropical fish including anemonefish, gobies, cardinalfish, wrasses, parrotfish, groupers, triggerfish, mandarinfish, and much, much more. We also keep an eye out for birds and may see kingfishers, Pied Cormorants, and other species.
Note on Trip Costs
Trip prices do not include international airfare. There is a single supplement fee of $950. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support our non-profit partner Micronesian Shark Foundation, which facilitates the study of sharks throughout Micronesia, particularly in Palau, and provides science to support shark protection in Micronesia and beyond. Oceanic Society has led multiple trips per year to Palau and Micronesia since 1998, generating thousands of dollars in park fees that support the protection of Jellyfish Lake and the Rock Islands, both part of the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dates & Prices
Itinerary for Palau Trip
Day 1: Arrival in Koror, Palau
- Arrive in Koror, Palau.
- Transfer from airport to hotel.
Days 2-7: Snorkeling in the Rock Islands
- Explore Palau’s reef complex, including fringing reefs and outer barriers.
- Snorkel around the Rock Islands and their protected reefs.
- Visit various snorkeling spots, up to 6 daily, by boat.
- Enjoy lunch and siesta breaks on isolated beaches of the Rock Islands.
- Return to hotel each day around 4:00-5:00 PM.
Day 8: Exploring Koror City
- Guided van tour of Koror.
- Visit the Belau National Museum, a woodcarving center, and a traditional “bai” (men’s meeting house).
Day 9: Departure from Koror
- Departure flight, usually post-midnight, heading towards Honolulu via Guam.
Accommodations
During this journey, our accommodations will be in double-occupancy rooms at the well-regarded Cove Resort. From here, we’ll embark on daily excursions across the Rock Islands using a private boat. There are opportunities for guests to choose enhanced hotel or room options if desired. Throughout the trip, a knowledgeable naturalist will accompany us, offering insights into marine ecology, conservation, as well as the natural and cultural heritage of Micronesia.
Naturalists
Trip Extensions
An optional 4-day extension to Yap is offered alongside most Palau tours, with a maximum capacity of 7 people. Situated between Palau and Guam, Yap is renowned for its deep-rooted traditions, being a place where traditional lifestyles are more prevalent than in any other part of Micronesia. It’s also celebrated as one of the prime spots globally for encountering manta rays and reef sharks, particularly known for its cleaning stations. Participants will spend two and a half days immersing themselves in the warm island waters, snorkeling over unspoiled reefs, and potentially sighting mantas and sharks. These post-trip extensions are now available for all Palau tours, and those interested are encouraged to request further details and pricing.
More detail about the trip please visit Oceanic Society.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media