Palau
Ask anyone who has been: Palau is one of the best places on the planet to dive. This trip puts you there for ten days with a group from The Dive Shop.
You'll stay at a beachfront resort in Koror and head out each day on a fast boat to Palau's famous dive sites. Think sharks at Blue Corner, manta cleaning stations, WWII shipwrecks and a lake full of jellyfish.
This trip is sold out.
Call us at (801) 295-5445 to ask about a waitlist or the next Palau trip.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
The trip at a glance
- Dates: November 3 to 12, 2026
- Where: Koror, Palau
- Diving: 5 days of two-tank boat dives with Neco Marine
- Stay: 7 nights at the Palau Pacific Resort, with breakfast
- Status: Sold out
This trip is sold out
We'd still love to hear from you. Tell us you're interested and we'll keep you posted on the next Palau trip. We promise no mailing lists. You can use the form on this page or call us at (801) 295-5445.
The diving in Palau
Palau sits in the western Pacific, and its reefs, channels and walls are famous for big animals and clear water. Many of the best sites are around the Rock Islands. You reach them by boat.
Water temperatures typically run 82 to 86°F, and a 3 mm wetsuit is commonly enough. Visibility can pass 130 feet outside the rainier months, according to Dive the World.
Blue Corner
This is the one everybody talks about. It's a current-swept reef corner where divers hook onto the reef edge and watch the show go by. Grey reef sharks, jacks, snappers, barracuda, tuna, eagle rays, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are common sights. Hammerheads, mantas and whale sharks are possible, but never guaranteed.
German Channel
Mantas come here to be cleaned. Small wrasse and butterflyfish work over the rays and sharks at a cleaning station near the channel's southwest mouth. Mantas are most likely from December to March, so a November visit is a bit early for them. Garden eels, mantis shrimp and jawfish keep the smaller stuff interesting.
Chandelier Cave
A cave with stalactites, and a very different dive from the walls and drifts.
WWII wrecks
Japanese ships from the Second World War rest on the bottom around Palau, including the Iro Maru and the Helmet Wreck.
Jellyfish Lake
This is a snorkel, not a dive. It's an enclosed lake in the Rock Islands filled with harmless jellyfish. Move slowly, don't touch them, and listen to your guide. Fin use may be limited.
How strong are the currents?
Palau has real current at some of its best sites, from moderate to very strong. You'll want solid buoyancy skills and to feel comfortable drifting. If you'd like to polish up first, ask us about our Advanced Diver course.
When to go
Palau's best conditions generally run from November through April or May. July to September is rainier and windier, and visibility can drop to 50 to 65 feet. Our November dates land at the start of the good season.
Your dive operator: Neco Marine
You'll dive with Neco Marine, a 5-star PADI dive center in Palau that offers boat diving, island tours and guided trips. High-speed boats pick up small groups from the resort pier and run you out through the Rock Islands to the day's sites. Lunch is on the boat.
Where you'll stay: Palau Pacific Resort
The Palau Pacific Resort (PPR) is a beachfront resort in Koror on about 64 acres of tropical gardens, with a private white sand beach. According to the resort's own site, it has 165 villa-style rooms, an oceanfront pool, a spa, tennis courts and several restaurants and lounges.
Our group is booked into Garden View rooms. These have a private balcony or patio, air conditioning and free WiFi. Breakfast is a big buffet. Dinners are on your own, so you can try a different spot each night.
The resort sits on a marine life reserve, and its gardens have a saltwater pond with reef fish and rays. Per Blue Water Dive Travel, the airport is about 30 minutes away by car.
What's included
- Round trip airfare from San Francisco to Koror
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights at the Palau Pacific Resort
- Breakfast buffet at the resort, and lunch on the dive boats
- 5 days of two-tank dives with Neco Marine
- Nitrox for EAN certified divers
What's not included
- Your flight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco
- Palau dive permit (about $100)
- Departure or green fee, paid at the airport when you leave (about $100)
- Dinners
Frequently asked questions
Is the Palau trip sold out?
Yes. The November 3 to 12, 2026 trip is sold out. Call us at (801) 295-5445 or use the form on the page to tell us you're interested, and we'll let you know about future Palau trips.
What's included in the Palau trip?
Round trip airfare from San Francisco to Koror, airport transfers, 7 nights at the Palau Pacific Resort, breakfast, lunch on the dive boats, 5 days of two-tank dives with Neco Marine, and nitrox for EAN certified divers.
What costs extra?
Your flight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, the Palau dive permit (about $100), the departure or green fee paid at the airport (about $100), and dinners.
How many dives will I do?
You get 5 days of two-tank boat dives, so up to 10 boat dives, depending on conditions and your dive plan.
When is the best time to dive Palau?
Conditions are generally best from November through April or May. July to September is rainier and windier, with lower visibility. Mantas at German Channel are most likely from December to March.
Do I need to be an advanced diver?
You don't need an advanced card, but Palau's best sites have moderate to very strong currents. Good buoyancy and comfort drifting make the trip a lot more fun. Ask us about our Advanced Diver course if you'd like some practice first.
Can I dive Jellyfish Lake?
No. Jellyfish Lake is a snorkel-only experience. The jellyfish are harmless, but your guide will ask you to move slowly and not to touch them.
Do I need a wetsuit?
Water typically runs 82 to 86°F, and a 3 mm wetsuit is commonly enough. Ask us at the shop what we'd recommend for you.
Does this trip count toward the Red Shorts Challenge?
Dive Shop trips to places like Palau have counted as international dives. Look for the Red Shorts Qualifier label on the trip, and call us to confirm.
