Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Nov–Apr · Strong current · 27–31°C (coldest Jan, warmest May)
- Current
- Strong
- Water temperature
- 27–31°C (coldest Jan, warmest May)
- Visibility
- 15–40m: ~15–20m in the inner lagoons and wet season; 25–40m on the outer reefs on the incoming tide.
- Experience
- The channel and current sites (Blue Corner, Ulong, Peleliu) need a reef hook and Advanced/drift experience.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | peak season |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | peak season |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | peak season |
| December | peak season |
Cleans and feeds at German Channel year-round, peaking with the plankton roughly November–April; feeding aggregations of dozens are possible.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | peak season |
| March | peak season |
| April | peak season |
| May | peak season |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Resident schools on the outer reef; a mass spawning aggregation is documented in Palau around the new moon, strongest February–May.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident giants at Blue Corner.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident at Blue Corner, Ulong and Peleliu; numbers and activity peak March–May around the full and new moons.
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
Blue Corner
Blue Corner: A current-swept plateau dived on reef hooks at ~15–18m.
8–30m · Strong current
Blue Holes
Blue Holes: Four vertical sinkholes dropping into a cavern and out onto the wall.
5–35m · Moderate current
Chandelier Cave
Chandelier Cave: A shallow cavern of five chambers with air pockets and stalactites.
4–11m · None current
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to ROR. Typical trip $$–$$$.
Route overview
Moderate
Reachable but with some friction: a 1.5h boat crossing.
Airport options
ROR
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (Koror)
International flights via Asian/Pacific hubs; ~6km from Koror where dive operators are based
Typical trip cost
$$–$$$
$2,000–4,000 to over $4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Resort day diving: a two-tank boat dive runs roughly $126–200.
- A 7-night liveaboard (e.
- g.
- Permits stack up: Koror State Rock Islands $50 per person, Jellyfish Lake $100 (includes Rock Islands access), Peleliu State $60.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
confirm at booking.
How it works
A Koror State Rock Islands permit is required for most Rock Islands and Ngemelis diving ($50 per person). Jellyfish Lake requires the $100 permit (which covers the Rock Islands) and a licensed guided tour: independent visits are not allowed. Peleliu diving needs a separate $60 Peleliu State permit. Arriving visitors also sign the "Palau Pledge" stamped in the passport.