PALAU, MICRONESIA

Year:2005

Superb diving in the Western Pacific

Season: Year-round diving

Visibility: 25-50 metres

Water temperature: 28-30°C

East of the Philippines, in the west of the Pacific, over 2,000 islands lie sprinkled across a vast expanse of sparkling azure tropical ocean. Known as Micronesia, this huge territory consists of less than 1% of dry land! Once a well-kept secret, Micronesia is quickly becoming recognized as one of the top dive destinations in the world. The archipelago encompasses more than 3,000,000 square miles of ocean, reaching over 6 miles deep in some parts of the Marianas Trench.

The islands of Micronesia are rich in life, both on land and especially in the surrounding seas. Fertile volcanic soil, warm tropical sunshine and abundant amounts of rain mean that these forest-clad islands are filled with exotic flowers throughout the year. Some of the islands are edged with sandy beaches, others are so densely covered with rainforest that the trees reach the shoreline. Fringing mangrove swamps form nature's own nurseries where most of the rich diversity of marine creatures start their hazardous lives in comparative safety before moving to the coral reefs or to the very deep waters that surround the islands. With some of the most exciting marine life in the world, it is no wonder that stories of Micronesia's diving glories are legendary!

Palau consists of an elongated atoll containing an archipelago of some 340 islands dotted across 400 square miles of ocean! Known as the Rock Islands', this maze of jungle-covered, mushroom-shaped outcrops is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef offering seemingly endless drop-offs, coral gardens, caves, swim-throughs, blue holes, marine lakes and wartime wrecks. Inside the lagoon the glistening ocean hides a white and sandy sea bottom with areas of patch reef. Outside the lagoon is an encircling barrier reef where drop-offs fall vertically to 300 metres or more. Known by some as the shining star of Micronesia', Palau was voted number one in 8 out of 10 categories in a recent diving magazine poll  favourite drift dive, favourite wall dive, favourite photographic site... the list goes on and on! Although Palau has a reputation for strong currents, more often than not the currents are quite gentle and most dives are slow drifts along the reef walls, giving divers and photographers the opportunity to study the vibrantly lively and fascinating scene that is played before them.

Clothed in colourful soft corals, gorgonians and whip corals, the Big Drop Off is an underwater photographer's dream. The absolutely vertical wall begins at only about two metres below the surface. An abundance of invertebrates and a multitude of rare tropical fish display their wonderful shapes and colours against the background of the sheer wall. Schools of fusiliers patrol the reef and turtles, unicornfish and smart grey and yellow Onespot Snappers are always around whilst Grey Reef Sharks, Blue Marlin and hammerheads are occasionally seen.

For real excitement try Blue Corner , one of the most famous dives in the world but one that should be attempted only by experienced divers! There is a lot of current that rips over a shallow coral shelf and the adjacent wall. Hang on to the reef at the top of the wall or fasten on with a reef hook and watch the packs of Grey Reef Sharks circling in the blue water and moving very close to the wall. Al Capone', the resident Napoleon Wrasse will almost certainly keep you company here! Tuna, Manta Rays and Blue Marlin are amongst some of the big fish that can be seen here, whilst there is always the chance that a passing Whale Shark might appear.

Drop down the vast and amazing Blue Holes into an enormous cavern of staggeringly clear water and look up to see the circle of bright blue through which you have just descended! Fin through the window-sized hole that leads out to the reef wall.

Perhaps it is sufficient to say that Jacques Cousteau considered Ngemelis Drop Off to be the best wall dive in the world. The wall drops to over 300 metres and is covered in a multitude of sea fans, soft corals, whip corals, sponges and anemones. Here the reds, sunburst yellows and glorious pinks provide a colourful backdrop for numerous fish and brightly-coloured nudibranchs and other small creatures.

A relatively little known fact about Palau is that possibly 50 ships were sunk in the lagoon during one of the fiercest battles in the Western Pacific during World War II. Warships and supply ships litter the ocean floor like broken and abandoned toys. Out of the turbulent horror of war came a new and peaceful creation. Now-silent guns, twisted metal and other artefacts of war were frozen in time to be re-born as the strata on which corals and sea creatures thrive. Never again will history repeat its awful destruction and the wrecks now belong to the sea. The wreck of the Japanese freighter Teshio Maru lies on its side in 20 metres of water. The hull, which is still fairly intact, can be penetrated safely. There are still bits and pieces to be found here, particularly shards of old crockery.

Facing into the Pacific Ocean, the very beautiful Coral Gardens, famous for its abundance of busy schooling small fish and intricate coral formations, offers another chance to encounter Whale Sharks as well as Manta Rays and tuna.

Close to Koror, the capital of Palau, is Chandelier Cave , which is situated under the island of Ngarol. The entrance is a 3-metres wide hole in the side of the rock island. The spectacularly colourful Mandarinfish is resident here in the reef's crevices. Once inside the cave the water is absolutely clear. Water which has filtered through the island into the cave system has formed a distinctive halocline layer that divides a crystal-clear freshwater lake from the saline waters of the ocean. Three easily-dived chambers are adorned with massive stalactites and stalagmites. Surface in each chamber and breathe fresh air! Shine your light round the spacious rooms' with their pink marble walls and ceilings, then descend and follow the light from the blue window' back to the cave entrance.

Millions of years ago a geological upheaval isolated a section of the marine lagoon in the centre of one of the Rock Islands, thus creating a land-locked lake. A ten minutes trek through the jungle brings divers to Jellyfish Lake , surrounded by jungle greenery and mangroves. Trapped in this inland sea', two species of jellyfish have evolved down their own pathway and somewhere on the way have lost their stings and become a distinct subspecies compared to those still found in the open lagoon. Clouds of jellyfish move around the lake following the sun's rays in a kind of jellyfish soup'. One used to be able to snorkel safely here while these unusual creatures bumped against your mask and body without causing injury, but recently the lake has been closed by the Palauan government to protect the jellyfish.

WEST PLAZA DESEKEL HOTEL

The West Plaza Desekel Hotel offers comfortable, straightforward accommodation for those who want to dive Palau's incredible reefs but who seek a much less expensive option than staying at the luxurious Palau Pacific Resort. Located about a 20-minutes taxi ride from the airport and close to Koror's main shopping district, this pleasant hotel offers spacious air-conditioned rooms with colour television and refrigerator. Most rooms have a terrace. There are restaurants and bars nearby, including an Indian restaurant which is widely considered on of Palau's best places to dine.

The most established dive centre on the island, Fish N'Fins is famous for its wonderful service to divers. Situated a 5-minutes walk from the centre of the town and not far from the West Plaza Desekel Hotel, Fish N'Fins prides itself on taking clients to some of the most exciting dive sites in Palau including many wreck sites. Fish N'Fins is one of the few locally owned and operated dive shops in Palau. The daily two-tank dive leaves the dock at about 0830 returning in the afternoon. A third dive of the day and night dives are available locally. Boats are equipped with marine radio and have shaded areas for protection against the sun. Drinks and snacks are available on the boat. Most boats have a capacity of 6 or 8 divers to ensure that small groups of divers are grouped for similar skills an interests wherever possible.

£550 (non-divers: £206)

Includes:

" Airport transfers

" 7 nights room-only accommodation on a twin/share basis at the West Plaza Desekel Hotel.

" 6 days diving (2 boat dives daily), lunches on board, dive guide, cylinders and weights. Kindly note that clients taking the morning flight back to Manila should limit their diving on the last day, depending on their computer's no-flying-time advice.

Please note: A Koror State Diving Permit fee is payable locally to the dive centre. The cost is currently US$35.

Supplement for 3 boat dives: £20 per day

Supplement for a night boat dive: £40

Additional Nights: £91 (without diving: £26)

Important: those making short stays at the West Plaza Desekel Hotel will be charged the additional night price for each night spent at the hotel, plus £12 for each airport transfer.

Single Occupancy Supplement: £26 per night

Deposit: £100

PALAU PACIFIC RESORT

Half an hour from the airport and 10 minutes from the town of Koror is the luxurious Palau Pacific Resort, one of the finest hotels in the entire Pacific region. Set in 64 acres of verdant tropical gardens that are often filled with brilliant tropical flowers, the hotel boasts its own golden sandy beach. Huge hammocks hanging in the gardens invite you to laze away the day. The swimming pool is just a few strides from the main hotel lobby. The tennis courts are equipped for night play, there is a fully equipped fitness centre and there are also two outdoor heated whirlpool jacuzzis. In the elegant Meduu Ribtal dining room at the water's edge one can try Palauan delicacies or European cuisine. Enjoy the best seafood in the region at the Coconut Terrace or sip a cocktail in the evening breeze at the Mesekui beach bar. Each of the 160 guest rooms and suites has air-conditioning, refrigerator and mini-bar as well as its own private veranda. Garden View and Ocean View rooms have two twin beds or one queen-sized bed and en-suite facilities.

Splash dive centre is a PADI five star centre and retail dive shop. It caters almost exclusively for clients of the Palau Pacific Resort and is situated by the foot of the pier at the resort. They offer boat and shore diving, and have two large dive boats complete with photo tables, freshwater showers and dive platforms. Photo Palau is their latest addition, offering a full service underwater photo and video centre, including E-6 processing, instruction and rentals.

Deluxe Garden View Room

£799 (non-divers: £484) from 8 May-22 December

£897 (non-divers: £582) from 4 January-7 May

£981 (non-divers: £666) from 1-3 January, 23-31 December

Deluxe Ocean View Room

£897 (non-divers: £582) from 8 May-22 December

£974 (non-divers: £659) from 4 January-7 May

£1114 (non-divers: £799) from 1-3 January, 23-31 December

Includes:

" Airport transfers.

" 7 nights room-only accommodation on a twin/share basis at the Palau Pacific Resort.

" 5 days diving (2 boat dives daily), lunches on board, dive guide, cylinders and weights.

Please note: A Koror State Diving Permit fee is payable locally to the dive centre. The cost is currently US$35.

Supplement for 3 boat dives: £23 per day

Night boat dives cost US$75, payable locally. Shore diving is available day or night at a charge of US$5 per tank, payable locally.

Additional Nights:

Deluxe Garden View Room

£130 (without diving: £67) from 8 May-22 December

£144 (without diving: £81) from 4 January-7 May

£156 (without diving: £93) from 1-3 January, 23-31 December

Deluxe Ocean View Room

£144 (without diving: £81) from 8 May-22 December

£155 (without diving: £92) from 4 January-7 May

£175 (without diving: £112) from 1-3 January, 23-31 December

Important: those making short stays at the Palau Pacific Hotel will be charged the additional night price for each night spent at the hotel, plus £12 for each airport transfer.

Single Occupancy Supplement : The supplement payable is the same as the non-divers' rate for week-long stays and the same as the without diving' rate for any additional nights.

Deposit: £300

PALAU AGGRESSOR

The Palau Aggressor is a very comfortable 33-metre catamaran that carries a maximum of 18 passengers in nine twin-berth staterooms. Each of the eight Deluxe Staterooms has one double bed and one single bed, private head and shower, air-conditioning with individual climate controls and a large window. The Double Stateroom has one double bed, private head and shower, and air-conditioning with individual climate controls. Six crew members make sure that your diving holiday runs smoothly. Between dives guests can relax on the sundeck (either in or out of the shade) or try the amazing hot tub! The salon has an excellent collection of books, videos and music to enjoy.

The dive deck has racks for hanging dive suits. A large three-tiered camera table has plenty of space for camera assembly or preparation and separate rinse tanks are kept for cameras and videos. The photography department provides rental cameras and accessories as well as the services of the photo pro if you require a model or expert advice. E-6 processing is provided daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered including Nitrox and Rebreather training and facilities. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental by pre-arrangement.

Because of the currents in Palau, many of the dives are done as drifts and for this the amazing Palau Aggressor II-and-a-half' is deployed. This 10-metre dynamo of a boat can cruise at 50 knots! Ladders on either side assist with water exits and a canopy keeps divers well-shaded in the tropical Micronesian sun. Divers board this little boat on the dive deck, where she stays between dives attached to a hydraulic crane, and are then lowered into the water. After each dive she is raised once more to the dive deck and divers merely step off II-and-a-half' and onto ' II' . Divers' gear is loaded on to II-and-a-half' at the beginning of the cruise and stays there for the duration of the trip!

For after the dive there is a freshwater shower and clean towels awaiting, as well as the chef's freshly prepared snacks to appease the after-dive hunger pangs! Delicious barbecues, American and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and baked snacks come strait from the oven. Most meals are served buffet-style.

Palau Aggressor operates out of the harbour at NECO M' Dock/Commercial Dock, Koror for 7 nights cruises, departing every Sunday throughout the year.

A Palau Aggressor brochure is available from our office on request.

£1478 in a Double Stateroom

£1602 in a Deluxe Stateroom

Includes:

" Airport transfers if arriving/departing on Sundays.

" 7 nights cruise on Palau Aggressor on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.

" 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note : A tourism tax, currently US$35, and a Koror State Dive Permit fee, currently US$35 per person, will be collected on board. (The dive permit is valid for 14 days, so you do not need to pay this again if you have already obtained the permit while shore-based diving/intend to dive while shore-based after the cruise.) Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.

Non-divers: A £123 reduction applies.

Additional Week: A £123 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplements applies.

Deposit: £550

FLIGHTS

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Midday departure on Singapore Airlines from London (Heathrow) on Monday or Thursday, arriving at Manila the following afternoon. After an overnight stay at an hotel in Manila, continue at midday on Wednesday or Saturday on a Continental Micronesia flight to Koror (Palau), arriving in the afternoon. Return flights leave Koror for Manila in the morning on Wednesday or Saturday. From Manila you continue on a Singapore Airlines afternoon flight to Singapore and connect with an onward flight to London (Heathrow), arriving on Thursday or Sunday morning.

Monday and Thursday flights are also available from Manchester at no extra charge.

£994 for departures 1 January-30 June (excluding Easter)

£1037 for departures 16 August-9 December

£1100 for departures at Easter, 24-31 December

£1162 for departures at 1 July-15 August

£1244 for departures 10-23 December

Manila-Palau Seasonal Supplement: £60 for departures 1-31 January, 1 April-31 July, 11-31 December

Includes:

" Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Singapore/Manila/Singapore/London (Heathrow) by Singapore Airlines.

" Scheduled flights Manila/Koror(Palau)/Manila by Continental Micronesia Airlines.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES

Midday departure on Malaysia Airlines from London (Heathrow) on Monday or Thursday, arriving at Manila the following afternoon. After an overnight stay at an hotel in Manila, continue at midday on Wednesday or Saturday on a Continental Micronesia flight to Koror (Palau), arriving in the afternoon. Return flights leave Koror for Manila in the morning on Wednesday or Saturday. From Manila you continue on a Malaysia Airlines afternoon flight to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and connect with an onward flight to London (Heathrow), arriving on Thursday or Sunday morning.

Flights are also available between Manchester and Manila at no extra charge. Flights depart from Manchester on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return flights leave Manila on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Concessionary rates are available for connecting flights between Leeds/Bradford, Manchester, Teesside, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and London. Please contact our office for details.

£1084 for departures 1 January-30 June (excluding Easter), 1 September-9 December

£1159 for departures at Easter, 1-7 July, 18-31 August, 25-31 December

£1271 for departures 8 July-17 August 10-24 December

Weekend Supplement: £12 each way for departures from London, Manchester or Manila on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Manila-Palau Seasonal Supplement: £60 for departures 1-31 January, 1 April-31 July, 11-31 December

Includes:

" Scheduled flights London (Heathrow)/Kuala Lumpur/Manila/Kuala Lumpur/London (Heathrow) by Malaysia Airlines.

" Scheduled flights Manila/Koror(Palau)/Manila by Continental Micronesia Airlines.

Business Class Upgrades: These are available on Malaysia Airlines between the UK and Manila at attractive rates. Please contact our office for details.

Overnights in Manila: £42 per night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a comfortable hotel situated close to Manila Airport, on a twin/share basis with breakfast. A single occupancy supplement of £42 per night applies. Please note: Airport/hotel transfers are not included: local taxis are safe and inexpensive.

Sample Itinerary (including 7 nights Palau Aggressor plus 4 nights hotel in Palau)

Day 1 (Thursday): Depart London (Heathrow) in the morning.   Day 2 (Friday): Arrive Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in the morning and Manila in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Manila.   Day 3 (Saturday): Depart Manila in the morning, arrive Koror (Palau) in the afternoon. Transfer to Palau hotel for 1 night.   Day 4 (Sunday): 1 day diving (shore-based), then transfer to Palau Aggressor for 7 nights.   Days 5-10 (Monday-Saturday): More than five days diving (liveaboard-based).   Day 11 (Sunday): Transfer to Palau hotel for 3 nights. 1 day diving (shore-based).   Days 12-13 (Monday-Tuesday): 1 day diving (shore-based) and 1 day free.   Day 14 (Wednesday): Depart Palau for Manila in the morning, arrive Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in afternoon and connect with onward flight in evening.   Day 15 (Thursday): Morning arrival at London (Heathrow).

SINGAPORE STOP-OVERS

Why not take the opportunity to explore Singapore as part of your holiday? Singapore Airlines fly between London and Singapore daily and stop-overs are available at no additional airfare. We can arrange your hotel accommodation: for details please see the Southern Thailand entry in this brochure.

COMBINING PALAU WITH YAP OR TRUK

If you are going all the way to Palau, why not take in Yap and its incredible Manta Rays or Truk and its remarkable wrecks? You will have paid for most of the airfare already! Please contact us and we can suggest potential itineraries, but bear in mind you need around three weeks holiday for a combination trip.