Palau, is one of the greatest diving destinations in the world. Palau can be found far to the southwest of Micronesia. Palau consists of an archipelago of 343 islands, spread north to south over 100 miles which form the atoll of Kayangel to the island of Angaur plus five tiny islands, known as the southwest islands.
Palau’s huge variety of unspoiled reefs offer a wealth of marine life, coral formations and wrecks. Dives begin in knee deep water and plunge straight down to depths of 1000 feet and more. Blue holes, huge caverns and an immense variety of rare and exotic marine species are easily accessible in clear water with visibility exceeding 200 feet. Vast numbers, not found anywhere else in the world, of large pelagic predators, sharks, turtles, dolphins and many species of migratory fish gather here at a unique crossroads of three of the worlds major ocean currents. Palau features land locked marine lakes, accessible from the sea through tunnels beneath the islands steep shorelines, are home to rare jelly fish, anemones and soft corals.
Palau’s famed Rock Islands are a collection of rounded, foliage-covered isles which seem to float above the surface of the water. A boat trip through them will reveal a number of magnificent white sand beach hideaways perfect for a secluded picnic or adventurous overnight stay. Below the waters surface, divers and snorkelers are treated to a diverse technicolor paradise of fabulous drop-offs, blue holes , breathtaking reefs, crystal caves and World War II wrecks.
Another great dive destination is Palau’s most popular dive site, Blue Corner, which is recognized as one of the best in the world due to its concentration of marine life, whilst Jacques Cousteau considered Ngemelis Wall, commonly known as Big Drop-off, to be one of the best dive walls in the world. Just a few minutes away, German Channel is known for its regular sightings of manta rays, which come in and hover over rock outcroppings inhabited by tiny cleaner wrasses.
Throughout Micronesia divers can encounter an abundance of marine life in just about every imaginable colour and shape. The seas are inhabited by hundreds of types of hard and soft corals, anemones, colourful sponges, countless varieties of shellfish, manta rays and pelagics.
Divers worldwide are drawn to the Palaus terrific drop-offs, the beauty of the Rock Islands, the underwater wreck museums of Chuuk, and to Yap, the home of the giant manta rays
It is common to see 30 - 50 grey reef and whitetip sharks, eagle rays, hundreds of schooling barracuda, thousands of blue trigger fish, moray eels, lion fish, schooling humphead parrotfish, nudibranchs, several turtles and a leaf fish all on one dive.
Getting there: Palau is served by Continental Micronesia with daily flights from/to Guam. There are daily connections to Guam from Tokyo & U.S.A. along with two flights per week from/to Cairns, Australia. Additionally, two weekly direct flights from Manila connect Palau with other points in South-East Asia and on to Europe.
For more of the world’s greatest diving destinations including The Great Barrier Reef, Grand Cayman, the Red Sea, Micronesia, Thailand etc visit Great Dive Destinations Of the World
Tags: chuuk, dive micronesia, dive truk, micronesia diving, truk, truk lagoon, truk lagoon diving
Related Posts
- Scuba Diving - Basic Rules
- Scuba Diving Computers
- Things To Know About Night Diving
- How To Choose Scuba Diving Equipment That Is Right For You
- Maui Scuba Diving Hawaii
« Training For A Marathon | How Running Slower Will Help You Run Faster »