The latitude and longitude of Palau are about 7 degrees north and 134 degrees east. The archipelago lies within the much larger group of thousands of islands that make up Micronesia, which means “tiny islands.” Approximately 800 kilometers north of New Guinea, southeast of the Philippines, and southwest of Guam, Palau consists of roughly 500 islands.
Palau has a maritime tropical climate with a large amount of rainfall. The average daily temperature for the year is 81℉ (28℃), while the relative humidity is about 82%. An annual average of 381 centimeters of rain falls on Palau, feeding into the rivers and streams and adding to the humidity. Wind direction shifts occur with the trade winds blowing from the northeast and east from November to May. Then the monsoon winds come up from the southwest from June to September.
Palau has declared itself as the world’s first shark sanctuary. In 2009, it launched the Palau Shark Sanctuary to do its part in fighting for an end to shark finning in Palau and around the globe.
(For more details, see: http://www.sharksanctuary.com/)
Palau’s Rock Islands were listed as a World Heritage Site in 2012. Many of the 445 uninhabited limestone islands of volcanic origin the southern lagoon have unique mushroom-like shapes, surrounded by turquoise water and coral reefs.
The site’s incredible beauty is made even more impressive by the complex reef system, featuring over 385 species of coral as well as a wide array of ecosystems. This is home to a great diversity of plants, birds and marine life, including dugong and at least thirteen shark species.
(For more details, see: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1386)
Palau is known as one of the planet’s best places to be underwater. Its dive sites attract visitors for all sorts of reasons, including huge schools of fish, plenty of sharks, and healthy reefs, as well as wrecks of the Second World War and the world-famous Jellyfish Lake and Blue Corner.
Most months the water temperature is around 30℃. Only from February to March does it occasionally drop to about 26℃. Average underwater visibility is roughly 20 meters but sometimes goes up to 40 meters! From July to September, heavy rains and strong winds can brings a drop in visibility to between 15 and 20 meters.
Palau features about 30 major dive sites, from walls and tunnels to channels and wrecks.
Here are just a few of the most famous of these sites:
It was a sunny day for a whole day for diving.
Air was 32, water was 29 degrees.
Warm and very comfortable day.
We had 2 boats, my boat went to Ulong Cliff, Sias Corner and Grassland.
Still many Bluefin trevallys chased mass of Scad at Ulong Cliff.
Off course some sharks were around there.
I went to Ngerumeaus Island for 2 intro divers.
Although Ngerumeaus is in-reef area, we saw several size of Grey Reef Sharks.
They swam the boader of sand area & coral area.
Usually they run away quickly, but today they came all the way up to near.
Also several size of Suckfish or Remora were seen after.
Perhaps the sharks also thinks that the Suckfish had become indecisive and gave against divers 🙂
It certainly was about the size of an obstructive level.
Bigger one was standard size of Rainbow runner.
A school of Scad was chased by Bluefin trevallys.
The Scads made solid round and changed their shape.
I didn’t tired to watch this.
Best weather in Palau today.
We had 2 boats.
32/29 degrees air/temp, bit strong North-East wind.
1st dive German Channel was a big hit!
Manta-Rays were dancing and they were total nearly 20.
The number was not counted, but it is full of anyhow.
There were lots of plankton, huge number of Double-lined fusilier that ate them was amazing big scale.
Photo by Yuji
Near the surface of the water had become a serious thing.
Black and white snappers were prey on the side beside.
Although it was fun even if I saw only here,
Because Manta was spinning ahead of it.
What a luxury!
Photo by Yuji
And Black Manta apeared!
Predating side by side.
Photo by Masuda
2nd dive was at Blue Corner.
It was incoming tide.
Breeding sharks were very close! !
Male was following the female so hard.
Humphead wrasses also chased the female and being spawning mode.
Flock of Barracuda were seen at the top of corner.
It was good dive!
3rd dive was Blue Coner again.
Tide became weak and the visibility was pretty good.
I saw Tornado of Bigeye trevallys.
The sunlight was beautiful
Photo by Yuji
I work up with the sound of heavy rain.
It was a tremendous amount of rain.
But it was cloudy when we departed and became clear sky.
At the end it became a nice weather, it seems typical tropical island weather.
We had 2 boats went to Ngemeris area.
I went to Virgin Blue Hole for 1st dive.
The surface layer was slightly muddy, but the inside was beautiful clear.
I enjoyed the topography while watching Sea slugs and Randoll’s Shrimp gobys.
When going to the shallow slowly, I found Crocodile flathead, it was easy to take pictures because she was not moving.
2nd dive, I went to New Drop-off.
The current was slow outgoing.
Good visibility and lots of fish.
I saw many sharks.
Today flock of Bluebanded snapper were quite gathered and was very beautiful.
3rd dive was at Blue Coner.
It was nice outgoing tide.
There were also many sharks here.
I think that their bite mark has increased.
It is a time of copulation mating.
I found again a bended nose grey reef sharks.
I slowly drifted at the end and surfaced.
Today was also a good start from the weather!
However, it was not very nice wind.
The wind direction was not bad, but it was bit strong.
Rains falls and stop many times.
Sometimes it started suddenly and suddenly stop.
That was such a day.
The Raindrops was big and it was raining like a shower.
I want to take a picture someday behind surface from underwater when rain pours down.
We had 2 boats went to Ulong area today.
My boat went to Aquarium (original site), Sias Coner and Ulong Channel.
Sharks everywhere, it looked like “Shark season” today.
Some Narrow-barred Spanish mackerels and Dogtooth tuna were seen at Aquarium.
2nd dive was at Sias Coner, the current had changed from outgoing to incoming during dive.
We swam shorter distance, because we started dive from near the corner.
We enjoyed slow dive with watching herd of Barracuda, Black and white snapper and Red snapper.
When the current was stopped and changed, fish were not many, but it became more and more after, there were so many sharks at the top of the corner.
School of Scad were chased by Bluefin trevallys.
Suddenly flock of Yellowspotted trevally came toward us.
It was good visibility, true blue water at Sias Coner.
Last die today was at Ulong Channel.
We enjoyed to watch Sharks, Scads and Barracudas, then drifted into the channel.
It was good current and beautiful visibility.
We enjoyed to watch big clam shell & mass of Double-lined fusilier.
Palau today was also nice weather! !
No rain was comming.
I felt good.
We had 2 boats went to Ngemeris area.
1st dive my boat was at Blue Hole.
Blue Hole was less visibility than usual.
Squarespot snthias was showing beautiful marriage color.
In the hole, we have enjoyed to watch Flashing file shells and Harlequin groupers.
During dive at the Blue Corner, the current had changed from incoming to outgoing.
Although the current changed, we were surrunded by Humphead wrasse, Bigeye trevallys and Bigeye barracudas, so many fish!
At the top of corner, Grey Reef Sharks were gathering and swimming like a river.
At the German channel, I waited for a good tide and started.
We found 5 Manta-Rays at their cleaning station.
And in the offshore, we saw Manta-Rays which swam in a line & prey.
It was worth waiting a bit for a tide.
The visibility at German Channel is getting poor, you need keep attention to avoid you do not lost your group.
Today was a nice & hot weather in Palau.
The temp. was 32/29, air/water.
Very comfortable!
Although I saw some places that seemed to be raining along the way, it was just local showers.
We enjoyed the tour without rain.
We had 2 boats, my boat started from early morning, other was as scheduled.
My boat went to Grassland to watch laying eggs of Green humphead parrotfish.
They were spawning eggs!
When egg laying begins, They lay and lay eggs while swimming to the water surface.
It looked like a fireworks of fish in underwater.
You must join this tour and look yourself.
Due to lay eggs, the visibility became poor, but this is one of best interest dive in Palau.
Photo by Anmitsu
There was good out going tide at Sias Coner.
Many sharks were seen at hooking point (top of the corner).
I saw a flock of 20 to 30 Grey Reef Sharks.
It was diving where a powerful sight was seen.
We were surrunded by many Barracudas when we had safety stops.
Today we also encountered many dolphins on the move.
The temp. was 32/29-26 air/water.
A cold water was in the deep bottom.
The shark was messed up.
We went to Ulong Channel, Sias Tunnel and Sias Corner today.
Fish was bursting at Ulong Cliff.
It was messed up.
Sharks, Trevallys, Barracudas, Tunas and Double-lined fusiliers were around us.
Customers were busy taking a pictures.
2nd dive was at Sias Tunnel.
It was a dive for enjoy underwater terrain.
I think it has been lessened gobbys here than before.
I introduced Harlequin grouper, Burgess butterfly fish and small Moray eel.
Of course we enjoyed the terrain well.
The view from the tunnel to the outside was awesome.
Because of here is a bit deep, don’t forget to check your depth, time limit and tank pressure more frequently than usual.
Last dive today was Sias Corner.
It was good current.
Mass of Pyramid butterfly fish & Redbelly yellowtail fusilier were very beautiful.
I saw many Gray Reef Sharks at hooking area.
Also I saw about 20 Yellowspotted trevallys were formed.
They were swimming strong aiming at prey.
Hello, report from sunny weather Palau!
We had 2 boats went to Ngemeris area today.
Crystal clear water (and Manta-rays as well) came back, it was good visibility.
My boat went to New Drop-off, Blue Corner and German Channel.
Both New Drop-off and Blue Corner were almost 30m visibility.
Water Temp. was 29 degrees, lots of fish!
At New Drop-off, Bignose unicornfish was flocking, they were pursued by a group of sharks and Yellowspotted trevallys.
Because of current was weak, we enjoyed to watch herd of Bluebanded snapper & Bigeye barracuda.
Also I saw a Turtle was having a relaxing meal.
2nd dive was Blue Corner with bit strong out going tide.
Sharks were back and forth in front of us when we reached the hooking station.
I saw some Narrow-barred Spanish mackerels was aiming at mass of Double-lined fusilier.
And Humphead wrasse was our behind.
So excited.
We also lots of Black-fin Barracudas at the last.
Although water temp. was bit cold 26-27 degrees and visibility was not best,
We saw 6 Manta-Rays at German Channel!
They were in a row, like a train.
Today was also a good start from the weather.
On the way, I got some rain, but after, it was sunny through the day.
The temperature was 31/29-27 degrees air/water.
There was cold water area some places.
We went to Ulong area today.
We started dive at Ulong Channel with mild current.
We enjoyed to watch some sharks, Scads, Barracudas and Mackerels it in the first half of dive.
Then we went into the channel after half.
We drifted and enjoyed coral on both sides.
2nd dive was at Sias Corner.
The visibility was blue and beautiful.
We had slow dive with watching Hawksbills & some Purple queens.
Several Yellowspotted trevallys were coming up to us vigorously.
3rd dive was at Grassland.
I felt cold water at deeper area.
I found group of Bigeye barracuda and some Trevallys in there.
They seemed to be OK at cold water, but I was not…
Today was the start with good weather.
The temperature was 31/29-27 degrees air/water.
We had one boat went to Ngemeris area.
It was slow out tide at German Channel.
Pacific drummers and Red snappers were seen at the middle depth.
They were not dense but good number.
I tried to find the Manta-ray at Manta-ray cleaning point.
She was not when we arrived, but it came and passed by after a while.
After we were watching Bigeye trevallys, Bigeye barracuda and Bigeye barracudas, she came back again!
There was cold water area some places at Blue Hole.
There was no other group in the hole.
I introducied beautiful fish such as Harlequingrouper, Squarespot snthias and flashing file shell.
When we get out from the Hole, huge amount of Bartail fusiliers were seen
It was awesome and was beautiful.
Some Yellowspotted trevallys were chasing some of them and it was so powerful at the end.
We went to Blue Corner for today’s last dive.
It was good current and getting stronger as we go.
We enjoyed to watch some Grey Reef Sharks & White Tip Sharks at the place where was not so strong current.
Redtoothed triggerfish seemed tried swim harder than usual.
Napoleon, as usual.
She came to us even though the current flowed fast.
Today, all dive sites were a little less visibility.
I hope the visibility will recover soon.
It was fine weather today.
Because the easterly wind was blowing strongly, the wind shook a little during tour.
The temprature was 32/28 degrees, air/water.
It was North-East wind.
We had 2 boats.
Herds of Scad was fiercely chased by Bluefin trevally at Ulong Cliff.
My group enjoyed to watch flock of Bigeye barracuda & Black and white snapper.
There were quite a lot of Bartail fusiliers coming up.
They desperately ate plankton.
Other group had seen group of 100 Children’s Grey Reef Sharks.
2nd dive was at Sias Corner with stronger current.
There were many sharks at hook point.
Also more sharks attacked Scads at the corner of the reef.
Ambiance that water was getting cold and something will be going out was preeminent, but it was time up there.
When we went up to surface, we saw many Blackfin Barracudas crowd together.
We went to Grassland for 3rd dive.
Today too, it was a flock of Bigeye barracuda.
Also we enjoyed to watch Spaghetti garden eels.
I watched many fish living in corals leisurely.
The weather was sunny! ! Wind was calm.
Good condition continues in Palau.
However underwater there was cold water by place.
Temprature was 32/29-26 degrees air & water.
Wind was weak East.
We had 2 boats went to Ngemeris.
1st dive was at German Channel and we saw 3 Manta Rays.
Everyone saw them, everyone was excited.
They were spinning around in front of us.
We also enjoyed to watch sharks and mackerels as well.
2nd dive was Blue Hole.
There was no other group just ours.
Because the light was a time zone to insert from directly above, we enjoyed it very much.
3rd dive today was Blue Corner.
The direction of flow was not clear.
But still the corner was amazing!
First of all, big group of Blackfin Barracuda was seen.
And herds of Bigeye trevally and Bigeye barracuda was amazing!
Then Huge Dogtooth tuna Attacked there.
The scene where fish made sounds like “Dooooom” and runs away was quite powerful full mark.
Also many of Gold-lined sea-beams & Bluebanded snappers were seen.
The visibility was not perfect, but it was large amount of fish at the Corner.
Both weather & sea condition was good.
There was just little bit swell at North-West area.
The tempreture was 32/29 (Air/Water) degrees.
Weak Eastery wind was browing.
There were 2 boats today.
My boat went to south-west, the other boat went to Ngemeris area for early morning dive.
Our 1st dive was at the Aquarium, our original dive site.
The lower layer was cold, just 26 degrees, and fish were lots.
I saw many Bartail fusiliers were attacked by Dogtooth tuna.
Mass of Yellowspotted trevallys chased few scads.
Also good number of Yellowfin goatfish were seen.
2nd dive was Sies Tail.
It was bit hard to diving because of the influence of swell, but herds of Bigeye trevally and Bigeye barracuda were seen.
I saw los of Peach fairy basslets were dancing on the reef.
One Hawksbill swam with us.
Also many of Yellowspotted trevallys were seen at deep area.
3rd dive was at W-Reef.
It was good follow current.
Bartail fusilier was crowded at the entrance of the waterway.
Also Grey Reef Sharks, Narrow-barred Spanish mackerels and Dogtooth tuna were seen.
We drifted in the waterway and enjoyed to watching many beautiful sea fans.
Early morning boat guests saw ten Mant-Rays preying at German channel.
Thank you for the nice picture!
from the customer
The weather was good today.
It was a pleasant sunny day.
Air was 31, water was 29 degrees.
Yesterday there was water that feels cooler than before but today was not.
The visibility was also good, it was true blue water!
We had 3 boats.
One boat went to Ulong area, other 2 went to Ngemeris area.
Our 1st dive was at Blue Coner.
It was nice follow current.
Many sharks and a Humphead wrasse were seen at hooking point.
Also school of Bigeye trevally pairing with others were seen.
I found a big African pompano.
The big eyes are more characteristic than the other mackerels.
We had safety stops with watching school of Baracuda.
2nd dive was at New Drop-off.
It was very weak current but was good visibility.
I found a mass of Pyramid butterflyfish, they were even more beautiful.
Because they had a little movement, they were more beautiful than usual, as they got clumped and became portrait.
There were also a lot of Bigeye barracudas.
I saw Dogtooth tuna also swamily relaxed today.
Last dive today was at German Channel.
When we reached the cleaning station, we saw 2 Manta-rays.
Huge school of Bigeye trevally made big tornado shape.
Also many Bartail fusiliers were seen.
Although the visibility was not perfect, we were able to see the Manta-rays.
Today was a fine day in Palau.
I feel good.
Air Temp was 31, Water was 29 degrees.
It was comfort itself.
Only a little cold water came somewhere but there was no problem at all.
It was the best dive day.
We had one boat went to Ngemeris area, other boat went to Peleliu.
There was no current at Blue Corner.
They enjoyed slow dive.
The visibility was little bit low than usual.
Their 2nd dive was New Drop Off.
Also not the best visibility.
3rd dive was at German Channel.
They saw 2 Manta-Rays.
Ok, our boat went to Peleliu.
1st dive was at Paleliu Express.
Huge school of Giant trevally was seen.
The visibility was super clear!
When we started a safety stop, we saw a Bull shark.
Other grey reef sharks surroundings her looked small like child.
It’s a huge shark.
I could recognize immediately!
The waist was very thick and she was a solid shark.
It is easy to recognize because the waistline is different from Grey Reef shark.
We tried same track for 2nd dive to see her again, but could’nt.
Only big group of batfish was seen.
They were too deep to go near by.
Last dive was at Peleliu Cut.
We saw big group of Giant trevally and school of Red snapper.
Also huge amount of Barracuda were seen.
The wind ceased and the sea became very calm.
Although there was still a little swell, was no problem to dive.
We had two boats, early dive boat and normal boat.
I went to earlty dive to Shark City & Peleliu area.
1st dive was at Shark City.
Today’s early morning dive aim for spawning of Red snappers.
Before we entry, I saw them already started to spawning and some Blacktip sharks attacked them.
Entry, spawning started for a while.
When we saw them, lay eggs nearby were intense.
Many of Black and white snapper were eating eggs desperately laying eggs.
Photo by Watanabe
2nd dive, we went to Pleleliu Express.
When we started from Express, we saw huge group of Black and white snapper.
After arrived the corner, the current was still go on and we continue to drift to the Pelelie Cut.
So big group of Red snapper, Bigeye trevally, Giant trevally were seen!
Photo by Watanebe
3rd dive was at Pleleliu Cut.
We saw big group of Barracuda, Rainbow runner, Batfish, Grey Reef Shark were seen.
Photo by Watanebe
The number of fish at Peleliu is overwhelmingly different from others dive sites.
Thank you such a great photos, Mr. Watanabe!
South wind was so stronger than the forecast.
The weather was good to the best.
Today I went to dive in the east side.
We had two boats today.
1st dive was at Crescent Wall.
The herd of Yellow and blueback fusilie was very beautiful,
Other Double-lined fusilier was also a big deal.
Today many Black jacks got up and flocked up.
This was very rare.
A herd of Black fin barracudas and Bigeye barracudas were seen.
There were more flocks here than the Blue Corner.
2nd dive was at Ngerchong Outside.
There was slow good current.
Easy dive!
I enjoyed to watch a shark and a group of Barracudas.
3rd dive was at German Channel.
I expected to see Manta-ray but no Manta-ray was coming.
When we were at cleaning station, there was no other group.
After a while, divers incrased one by one.
I wonder where she was somewhere, but to the large number of divers
I wonder if Manta also ran away.
Although the weather has recovered,
The swell was quite large and the open ocean was rough.
We had two boats today.
Large swell were everywhere in Ulong area.
For that reason visibility was not good anywhere.
The visibility was around 10m.
There were many diving boats at Grassland.
I show the Atoll butterflyfish to my customers.
Atoll butterflyfish is common at Grassland, but not other places.
2nd dive, we went to Sies Corner.
Here I looked for the Yellow crown butterflyfish I saw the other day.
Then..
I found her!
Moreover, she seems to be a child between Burgess butterflyfish & Yellow crown butterflyfish.
We saw something very rare.
Yellow crown butterflyfish has both two yellow lines to the face,
Burgess butterfly does not enter yellow and both lines are black.
And this child seems to be Hybrid!
Photo by Anmitsu
3rd dive was at Ulong Cliff.
We saw some Bluefin trevallys were chasing group of scad.
Also school of batfish, school of Bigeye barracuda were seen.
But it was not the usual visibility there.
Today is Palau in the harsh weather.
Baby Cyclone was born near Palau and had been passing by.
Air temp. was 25 degree / Water temp. was 30 degree.
We had 3 dives at inner reef area.
1st dive was at St. Cardinal.
The surface of the water was rough and there was bit strong current, but quiet underwater.
The water was warm and we enjoyed slowdiving.
As the name suggests, a lot of Cardinal fish crawled in the branch coral.
2nd dive, we went to “Hafa adai” wreck dive.
It was crowded with lots of dive boats here.
Some Lion fish & Bat fish were seen at the wreck.
Also we enjoyed to watch some kind of Sea slugs.
On 3rd dive, we went to Crystal Blue to look for fry of Sailfin snapper.
Unfortunately they were not found there but we were able to see other frys & some shrimps.
Tomorrow will be much better weather than today 🙂
Unfortunately it was a rainy start today.
The heavy rain in the middle of last night was extreme.
It was still windy and the north wind was getting stronger.
We had one boat went to Ngemeris area.
And we had 3 dives today.
“Blue Hole”
“German Channel”
“Blue Corner”
Blue Hole still had not perfect visibility, but we were able to enjoy it, because there were no other divers.
We enjoyed to watch Several kind of Purple queen, Orange fin anemonefish.
I found fry of Hawkfish anthias, she was so cute.
2nd dive to German Channel.
The visibility was also not very good, but fish was massive.
When we were slowly moving and looking at Joefish and anemone fish, we saw one Manta-ray was coming!
One big Manta-ray passed us very near.
After that, two smaller manta-rays came in a row.
The two were swimming round and round while becoming bumping each other.
It was awesome!
The last diving today was to Blue Corner.
Moderate current on the right wall Double-lined fusilier and Black and white snapper, and so many things.
It was in a state of being fished by fish.
We were shifting to hooking area while watching big school of Bigeye trevally.
The current gradually became stronger, and at the end it was very strong.
Sharks came close by, Giant trevallys, Yellowspotted trevallys, Mackerels and Rainbow runners were seen.
While we had safety stop, we saw one big Humphead wrasse swimming slowly in strong current.
It was good weather.
It was bit strong Norhern wind, but no problem to dive at western sites.
Some sites were rough a bit.
The visibility was on the verge of continuing to fall as yesterday.
The place where the water temperature was decreasing was cold.
Air was 31, water was 26 ti 29 degree,
1st dive was Ulong Channel.
I saw many scads were chased by Bluefin trevally.
Following that, Humphead wrasse, Red snapper and Gray reef were also joining.
It was also amazing today, Bigeye barracudas were so close to us.
Also 2 batfish and school of them at a distance.
2nd dive was Sies Coner.
It was cold, may be 26 degrees…
So big group of Double-lined fusilier were seen.
I saw many Grey Reef Sharks at hooking area.
They were big to let children size.
Here, Dogtooth tuna and Yellowspotted trevally were chasing Scads.
They were chasing Scads at great speed.
Last dive today was at “Aquarium” which is our original dive site.
The amount of Double-lined fusilier was not odd.
Just aquarium status.
Double-lined fusilier were predisposed to plankton as a big lump.
There were several Yellowspotted trevallys were seen.
It was sunny, but had a lot of clouds.
Even the wind was blowing a bit, the surface was calm.
We went to Ulong area today.
1st dive was at Ulong Cliff.
A group of Bigeye trevally were flocking on a reef.
Dusky-finned bulleyes were also flocking nicely among table corals.
When we were drifting on the reef, we discovered the lobster that exposed whole body.
It looked very tasty but everyone put up with it, and took photo.
I found more than 80 of baby Gray Reef Sharks swam round and round at the offshore side.
Next dive was at Sies Corner.
Below the reef edge, I can always see some of Green humphead parrotfish.
While watching group of Bartail fusilier and Redbelly yellowtail fusilier,
we also had chanse to take photo for Frame Angel Fish.
The last dive today went to Grassland.
Althrough there was no Manta-ray, but Whitetongue jacks & Whitetongue jack were good number.
Also school of Barracuda was good size!
Although the water temperature was still warm enough 29 degrees in the last few days, but I felt a little cold today.
Please be careful if you are sensitive to cold!
Today was a sunny day with a different feeling from yesterday.
Just weak Easterly wind, there was almost no wave.
One boat went to Ngemeris area.
We went to German Channel for 1st dive to see the Manta-ray.
The visibility was the best of the past few days.
When checking the Manta cleaning station while checking the usual Wolf cardinalfish,
There was other diver group, but Manta did not come.
Manta came toward us as we passed through the station and looked at Giant trevallys attacking school of Whitetongue jack & scads.
We returned to the station with Manta-ray and enjoyed watching her.
2nd dive was Blue Corner.
We started from the south bouy.
While feeling quite a good current, we enjoyed to watch big school of Bigeye barracuda, Bigeye trevally and Black and white snapper.
We enjoyed watching many kinds of fish at the hooking point.
I am jealous every time of the gray reef sharks that swim in the against current without moving her tail fin.
We met Humphead wrasse before exit.
3rd dive was New Drop-off.
I was healed by watching swimming group of Redbelly yellowtail fusilier & Pyramid butterflyfish.
A flock of Rainbow runner pushed past the eyes, Narrow-barred Spanish mackerels passed casually through.
I saw more turtles than usual.
Even just remembering, it was 9 turtles.
They showed me various forms such as goes up for breathing, go down after, eats sea grass, sleeping, drifting and looking for bedding.
It was fine in the morning, but the clouds grew more and more and it went down pouring before noon.
But it got a bit lighter afternoon again.
We had one boat went to Ulong area.
We went to “Aquarium” which is our original dive site for 1st dive.
Huge amont of Orbicular batfish were seen.
In addition, the number of Yellowfin goatfish & Two-spot snappers were amazing.
We hooked in at top of the site and enjoyed to watch Sharks and school of Double-lined fusilier.
2nd dive was at Ulong Cliff.
It was a intense squall when we started.
I think that the amount of Scad had increased.
Some Batfish followed us, they were pretty cute.
3rd dive was at Sies Corner.
It was gentle follow current.
Many sharks were seen at top of the corner.
I tried to find Silver tip shark and made it!
She was not so big, was around 2m.
She was cool, and all of us watched her.
It was cloudy from the morning, the wind was blowing little from the north-east which was good for diving in the south-west area.
One boat went to Ngemeris.
1st dive was at Big Drop-off.
Slow dive started from the entry buoy.
The visibility was not perfect, but the Soft coral was exposed to the sunlight and it was lit up beautifully.
Golden damselfish’s babys,Princess anthias and Randoll’s Shrimp gobys were seen.
Also I saw many of Black-spot snappers were shining in sunlight on top of the reef.
2nd dive was at Blue Corner.
This is a everyone’s favourite dive site of Palau, so many boats were already here.
The visivility was around 20m.
After seeing the usual fish, we saw big school of Barracuda and Bigeye trevally.
Just before exit, I saw one big Barracuda which has very sharp teeth & jaw.
It was quite big.
3rd dive was at German Channel.
It was too poor visibility to find Manta-ray.
But there was!
We saw total 3 Manta-rays.
We were surrounded by school of Bigeye trevally when we had safety stop.
It was fine weather today as it was yesterday.
The wind blow from the north, it is OK for diving at south-west side.
We have one boat went to Ulong area today.
1st dive was Grassland.
The visibility was different by location.
We saw Spotted garden eel, Randoll’s Shrimp goby and some anemonefish.
Many of Bigeye barracudas made big voltex.
Even a not best visibility, Mackerels & Green humphead parrotfish were seen.
Also I found one Crocodile flathead sleeping on the sand bottom.
2nd dive was Sies Corner.
It was super visibility, we enjoyed true blue water.
I saw Napoleon was laying eggs.
Also big reef shark swam around.
3rd dive was Ulong Criff to Channel.
Less visibility than Sies but saw lots of fish.
Group of scads were chased by Yellowspotted trevally & Bluefin trevally.
I saw one Hawksbill, she was eating something with my head on.
We enjoyed good drift dive in the channel.
It was very fine perfect weather today.
32/29 degrees, air & water.
We had one boat went to Ngemeris.
1st dive was at Blue Corner.
It was quite a good visibility.
We saw lots of Sailfin snappers on the reef.
Photo by Anmitsu
Also tons of Bigeye trevallys were seen.
Photo by Anmitsu
School of Double-lined fusilier were attacked by Bluefin trevallys & Red snappers.
They passed by at a tremendous speed as if they were squall or lightning.
2nd dive was at New Drop-off.
Hundreds of Pyramid butterflyfish were seen on the reef wall.
The kind and quantity of fish is not half-way today.
3 kinds of Sweetlips, Sharks from small to big, huge Dogtooth tuna.
We saw group of Bigeye barracudas at top of the corner.
Photo by Anmitsu
Group of Bluebanded snappers behind the reef endured against the current.
It was bit strong North-East wind.
Dry season is coming soon!
32/29 degrees, air/water.
We had one boat and went to North-West diving sites today.
The North-West sites are not frequently we go.
We dived at West Passage, Plenty Fish (new original site) and Ngeremlengui corner (original site).
Larger and more beautiful corals
Photo by Anmitsu
Photo by Anmitsu
There was a Bluegirdled angelfish which is not popular in Palau.
Photo by Anmitsu
Also 2 nurse sharks were found. (Oh..they are ostrich policy)
Photo by Anmitsu
We found big school of Orbicular batfish, but they were bit deeper.
Photo by Anmitsu
And of course usual Bigeye barracuda.
Photo by Anmitsu
It was almost no cloud from the morning.
No wind blow, it was the best condition in wet season.
We had one boat going to Ngemeris today.
1st dive was Ngemeris wall.
Many Green sea turtles & Hawksbills, also school of Blacktail snapper were seen.
Photo by Anmitsu
The Helfrichs dartfish was still there.
Photto by Anmitsu
Today’s 2nd dive was Blue Coner.
There was just small current.
Relux & chill dive.
After we saw school of Bigeye trevally & Bigeye barracuda, we enjoyed to watch small fish like the Mottled blenny.
Photo by Anmitsu
Also big school of Orangespine unicornfish were seen at the top of corner.
A Humphead wrasse chased them.
Photo by Anmitsu
3rd dive today was German Channel.
We saw 3 Manta-rays.
More Manta-rays may be in deep area.
Huge block of Bartail fusilier was still amazing.
They were attacked by Giant trevallys & Dogtooth tunas.
Photo by Anmitsu
We had 2 boats today.
My boat went to Ulong area, the other went to Ngemeris area.
It was no wind, the surface was totally smooth like glass.
The picture below is look up from the bottom.
It looks like Earth ball.
You can not take such a pictures like this, if the condition is not perfect calm.
Photo by Anmitsu
We went to Grassland for 1st dive.
It was gentle current.
I found one whitechip shark was in cleaning on the bottom.
Photo by Amnitsu
We saw about 100 Green humphead parrotfishs.
If you come our early morning dive, you can see 1000 of them laying their egg.
2nd dive was Sies Coner.
There was no current.
Baby Gray reef sharks & school of Big-eye scad were seen at deeper area.
3rd dive was Ulong Channel.
At first we saw a group of Bigeye trevallys & school of Big-eye scad at the cliff.
Then we went into the channel.
I looked for Emperor angelfish which was found last time (very rare), but didn’t make it.
Some African pompano and Eagle rays were seen.
Photo by Anmitsu
It is time to change the season,
There was no wind and the condition of the sea was the best.
We went to Ngemeris area.
1st dive was Blue Corner.
My team went down to 32 meter to look for Elegant firefish & Helfrichs dartfish.
Also Randoll’s Shrimp gobys & Spotted shrimp gobys were seen.
Photo by Anmitsu
2nd dive was New Drop-off.
There was no other group.
It was nice timing because the current just change direction during dive.
Because the fish can flock at this timing.
Also we saw more than 20 Gray Reef Sharks.
Photo by Anmitsu
3rd dive was German Channel.
Here too, a big hit!
We saw 5 Manta-rays were dancing wild for predation.
Photo by Anmitsu
The typhoon until a few days ago disappeared completely, and loose east wind.
I went to Ulong area.
The surface was calm enough that the baby was playing with the floating rings.
1st dive was Grassland.
It was better visibility than yesterday.
No other boat had been there.
I couldn’t see Manta-ray, but there were lots of Whitetongue jacks.
Photo by Anmitsu
It was a gentle diving, but saw lots of fish.
Photo by Anmitsu
2nd dive was German Cliff & Channel.
Suddenly Clayton (Palawan senior guide) got a pose.
I came to him to see what was happen, I discovered beautiful Emperor angelfish whichi is very rare in Palau.
Photo by Anmitsu
Last dive today, we went to Sies corner.
It was good drift dive.
We enjoyed to watch huge school of Pyramid butterflyfish on the wall.
Also I saw big Dogtooth tuna.