Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific, boasts incredibly rich marine life, earning it the title of “God’s Aquarium” and establishing itself as a haven for diving enthusiasts! Despite the delays caused by the pandemic, I finally made it to Palau, and it turned out to be much more enjoyable than I had imagined. Highly recommended!
🖇️ Visa & Accommodation: Palau offers visa on arrival, and the entry process is smooth. For flight and hotel packages, it’s advisable to contact a local agency for a unified purchase (usually includes flights, three days of island tours, and accommodation). Choose accommodation based on your budget, considering the primary focus on island excursions. Since you’ll be spending minimal time at the hotel, selecting one close to the port with comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage is practical.
🏖️ Four Days of Pure Play Itinerary: One Day of Deep Diving & Three Days at Sea 🚢 Deep Diving: Absolutely stunning! Without a diving certificate, I could only explore a few dive sites, but it was still worthwhile. Highly recommend for certified divers!
Three Days at Sea Itinerary:
Day 1
- Fishing at Sea
- Snorkeling Tutorial
- Hundred Years Giant Clam City
- Mermaid Channel & WWII Sunken Ship
Day 2
- Milky Lake
- Kayaking
- Sandcastle Games
- Blue Coral Reef
- Shark City
- Jellyfish Lake
Day 3
- Clownfish Habitat
- Coral Garden of Nine Flowers
- Colorful Soft Coral
- German Channel
- Lover’s Bridge
- Great Barrier
📝 Summary: Extremely high playability! At least three dive sites each day, and each underwater beauty is unique. The most memorable are Shark City and the Non-Toxic Jellyfish Lake – truly spectacular! Fell in love with fishing; the line barely in the water, and there’s a response. I caught three fish, a fulfilling experience. Cooked them directly on a deserted island, and it was incredibly fresh and tasty!
😋 Cuisine: During daytime excursions, lunch is on a deserted island. The tour guide provides ingredients and cooking utensils for a delicious meal. For dinner back at the hotel, dining options on the island are limited and relatively expensive. In our case, four people spent over 2000 for two seafood dishes, and the taste was average. The service was good though.
🌟 Wardrobe: 1-2 sets of jellyfish suits (as shared in my previous posts), 3-4 swimsuits 🩱 or bikinis 👙, 2-3 resort outfits (for taking photos on the deserted island at noon).
👍 Recommended Local Agency:
The correct choice for this trip! The service was like having a personal underwater guide throughout the journey. Jenny and Aggie were incredibly gentle and helpful in answering all my questions before the trip. Upon arriving in Palau, their airport pickup team, drivers, and tour guides were all very nice! Special praise for Eason, our tour guide for the three days at sea. He was warm, friendly, considerate, and cooked delicious meals. He accommodated every request and cared about everyone’s emotions, demonstrating an amazing service attitude! Even the 4-year-old girl in our group loved him.
In addition, a few tips:
- Sunscreen is a must! Wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen-friendly lotion before going out to sea. Apply sunscreen friendly to corals before diving; the UV is strong, and almost everyone in our group got sunburned!
- Apply a bit of coconut oil (olive oil or baby oil works too) to your hair before boarding and before diving to prevent tangling. It works wonders!
- Be sure to bring a windproof and waterproof long-sleeved jacket (brands like Columbia or North Face) as it can get extremely cold after diving when the boat speeds up. It’s a must!
- If possible, bring your own mask (miaodiving is recommended), snorkel, and fins. Not only do they look good in photos, but they are also clean and hygienic, saving on rental costs.
- Island signal is generally poor, and nightlife is almost nonexistent. It’s recommended to download a few movies in advance and enjoy them in your hotel room at night.