2024 Palau: The Black Pearl

About Palau and the Black Pearl Explorer

Palau is officially the Republic of Palau. It is also historically known as Belau, Palaos, or Pelew, an island country in the western Pacific. Learn more about the country by visiting the tourism website below.

• Palau Visitors Authority 
• Palau Government's Official Website 
• Palau International Coral Reef  Center & Marine Sanctuary 

The Black Pearl

Plenty of space is on board, both on the dive deck and the extensive main deck. The main deck has an outdoor salon and bar with a hot tub and an indoor dining area with a second bar. On surface intervals, divers can unwind on the covered sun deck (with sunbeds and comfortable benches), have fun in the dedicated upper-deck entertainment salon, or relax on the upper-deck outside lounge and bar and take in the 360° view of Palau’s scenic islands.

The Black Pearl Explorer is specifically designed for divers looking for luxury and is a well-built vessel for cruising between dive sites. The waterline-level dive deck and the indoor gear station offer enough space for up to 24 divers and at least four professional guides who will be in the water on each dive. It is also equipped with a large camera station with various plugs and USB ports for underwater photographers and videographers. All dives are made with two shaded fiberglass tenders, each with a capacity of 12. Everything is customized for effortless diving.

Lastly, the  Black Pearl Explorer has all the essential safety equipment, including life jackets and life rafts, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers, in all cabins, salons, and engine rooms.

At 46 meters (153 feet) in length, the M/Y Black Pearl Explorer is spacious and sophisticated with state-of-the-art amenities.

Accommodating up to 24 divers, this luxury vessel has 12 staterooms split into two Master Seaview Staterooms (13 and 14), four main deck deluxe ocean view staterooms (9,10,11, and 12), and five lower deck standard cabins (1,2,3,4,5 and 6). All cabins have an ocean view, some with large windows, some with portholes. Also, all cabins feature two twin beds, air conditioning, LED TV, in-room entertainment, high-quality linens, pillows and towels, wireless charging pods, 110 V universal electricity sockets with USB ports, reading lights, electric water kettle, safe box, and ensuite bathrooms (with shower, rinsing sink, eco-friendly soap & shampoo and hairdryer).

SHIP DETAILS

Length overall: 153 feet (46m)

Beam: 28-foot (8.6m) beam (steel hull)

Main engines: 2x 477kW Cummins with Auxiliary Propulsion

Electricity: 2 150k Va Cummings, 110 V - International sockets that fit any electric plug are available onboard.

Cruising Speed: 12 knots

Water Makers: 4x Reverse Osmosis Water Maker, 30 tons a day

Accommodations: up to 24 people in 12 superior ocean-view staterooms

Safety Equipment: First aid kit, oxygen kit; life jackets; life rafts, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors; fire alarms; VHF radio, VSAT, SART, AIS, satellite communication, GPS, compass, recompression chamber

Air Systems: 2 Bauer 320M Mariner, 1 B-Nitrox Membrane System

Accessories: Diving equipment, two aluminum tenders

Package details

Package includes 

• 10 nights/11 days aboard the vessel 
• 3 or 4 dives daily — for a total of up to 18 dives  (weather permitting)
• Between-dive snacks, towels, linens, etc.
• One snorkeling session in Jellyfish Lake (weather permitting). 
• Three meals daily,
• Plus, light snacks are available before the first dive of the day, and afternoon snacks  
• Air fills and Nitrox for Nitrox certified divers 
• Hot beverages and biscuits 
• Same-day hotel transfers within Koror or Malakal
• Use of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards 
• Please this package could change depending on weather conditions

Packages Do Not Include:  

• Hotel accommodations 
• Flights to/from Koror 
• Airport transfers
• Rental, instruction, and retail charges 
• Crew gratuities 
• Dive accident insurance (required) 
• Trip insurance (recommended) 
• Special drinks such as cocktails, beers, and other alcohol (wine and spirits), sodas, and juices in cans. 
• Marine Park and Harbor Fees: US $250 per person
• Fuel Surcharge: US $20 per night, per person. 
• Same-day airport transfers: US $25 per person, per way.
• Crew gratuities, dive instruction, dive gear rental (other than standard tanks, weights, and weight belts), and retail sales & services, soft drinks, juices, alcoholic beverages.

10 days schedule is being developed

Luxury accommodations

Master Seaview Staterooms: Queen beds, AC, safety deposit box, wardrobe, sofa, large windows, TV with in-room entertainment, private ensuite bathroom, and shower.

Main Deck Deluxe Seaview Staterooms: Twin beds, AC, safety deposit box, wardrobe, sofa, large windows, TV with in-room entertainment, private ensuite bathroom, and shower.

Lower Deck Standard Cabins: Twin beds, AC, safety deposit box, wardrobe, portholes, TV with in-room entertainment, private ensuite bathroom and shower

To come  

Diving the reason we are going

Palau has been awarded the “Seventh Underwater Wonder of the World.” At the crossroads of the planet's three major ocean currents, Palau has nutrient-dense waters, bringing an overwhelming abundance of marine life and offering a staggering number of underwater venues. Underwater, you’ll discover a bit of everything, including the immense aggregations of small and large fish, coral gardens, caverns, channels, healthy reefs, WWII wrecks, and the world-famous Jellyfish Lake. 

The weather in Palau is lovely year-round, with the optimal time to visit is the dry season from October to May. Water temperatures range from 81-86°F (27-30°C), and visibility feels endless. The signature dive site in Palau is Blue Corner, which has a constant shark parade and a thrilling current, sometimes up to 3 knots. German Channel, Ulong Channel, Peleliu Express, and Blue Hole are all globally recognized dives. You can visit these sites repeatedly and have entirely different experiences each time. 

PALAU’S JELLYFISH LAKE

Although not a dive, Palau’s Jellyfish Lake is a natural and must-do phenomenon. The land-locked saltwater lake contains two species of jellyfish that have evolved away from their stingers in the absence of predators. Snorkelers can swim among thousands of pulsating jellyfish without the worry of any pain. Special guidelines are required for snorkeling and swimming in Jellyfish Lake. No scuba diving is permitted. Depending on the weather and other conditions, Jellyfish Lake may or may not be open.

WORLD-FAMOUS DIVE SITES

Blue Corner: This is perhaps Palau's most famous dive site , with steep walls and abundant fish life. Expect to see fascinating underwater landscapes, experience full-throttle currents, and plenty of pelagic action. Snappers, jacks, and triggerfish schools roam around at this V-shaped plateau pointing into the Philippine Sea. It is common to spot oceanic predators like sailfish, hammerheads, dolphins, whales, and reef sharks due to the strong currents and nutrient-rich conditions.

Blue Hole: A nice and easy dive site. Several holes at 16 feet/5 meters mark the entry point into the cavern, which drops to 120 feet/35 meters. The cavern's walls are filled with sponges, crustaceans, black corals, and reef fish. Inside the Blue Hole, divers exit by the “window” and do a drift dive, finding their way to the Blue Corner dive site. Watching your depth and bottom time inside the cavern is always important.

German Channel: When the Palau Islands were a German colony, German miners dredged a channel that connected the inner lagoon with the open ocean to transport phosphate. Nowadays, the currents going through the channel help get nutrients in, inviting manta rays and large pelagics in from the open ocean. The German Channel has plenty to offer. Mantas rays, reef sharks, whale sharks, and hammerheads frequently visit the area, and the shallow reefs are home to various macro life. Due to its remoteness, a liveaboard is the best option to explore this dive site.

Peleliu Express: Peleliu Express is one of the deepest and most beautiful dive sites in Palau. This dive site is an advanced drift dive site. A large variety of marine life finds shelter in the deep canyons, crevices, and caves that cut into the wall. The vertical walls are covered with corals and sponges, attracting colorful butterflies, angelfish, and turtles. It is one of the best spots to experience countless sharks and dolphins. This dive site is only accessible from a liveaboard.

Ulong Channel: This breathtaking drift dive is unique to the archipelago. Numerous coral heads and coral formations decorate the sandy bottom of this channel. Grey reef sharks, stingrays, snappers, barracuda, and other pelagics will surely be found. This is one of the region’s best dive sites to search for macro subjects and a prime location for watching triggerfish spawning between April and July. Titan triggerfish dig out large grooves in the sandy bottom to lay their eggs. They are extremely territorial and protective when nesting on this site.

Chandelier Cave: This site was once an open-air cave but is now a chain of cave systems comprising five separate, connecting chambers with air pockets. Its dramatic stalactites and stalagmites formed, resembling glittering chandeliers. Salt and freshwater created a halocline inside the cave. Visiting the site just before sunset might be the opportunity to spot some mandarin fishes or crabs on sponges. 

Siaes Tunnel: This deep underwater cavern offers divers a fantastic experience as they dive through a large, naturally lit tunnel. Divers can see black corals, soft corals, and invertebrates on the tunnel's walls and ceilings. White-tip reef sharks and stingrays also rest on the cavern's sandy bottom. Currents can get strong here, and using a reef hook and safety marker buoy is mandatory.

Turtle Cove: The vertical reef wall, with plenty of small caves, arches, ledges, and reef sharks roaming around, is great for an introductory dive. A mini blue hole forms a large cavern on the top reef. The reef extends out to a plateau from and around Ngercheu Island—different species of nudibranchs and schooling fish patrol the reef.

Ngemelis Wall: The Ngemelis Wall is considered one of the world's best wall dives. Starting in water just knee deep, the wall drops off vertically nearly 300 meters. Close to the mooring buoy, a large chain connected to a 2-meter steel sphere can be seen. This chain and ball were used during WWII to prevent the Japanese from entering the waterway leading to the German Channel. Divers can free float past a brilliant rainbow of sponges and soft corals whose intense blues, reds, or pure whites form a backdrop for quivering 3 meters of large orange and yellow Sea Fans and Giant Black Coral trees. Schools of Pyramid Butterfish, Sergeant Major fish, Yellowtail Fusiliers, Moorish idols, Angel Fish, Leaffish, Stonefish, Lionfish, Green, and Hawksbill turtles. Reef Sharks, Nurses, and Leopard Sharks can be seen sleeping on the sandy bottom.

What dive gear to bring

The vessel provides tanks (fitting DIN and Yoke regulators), weights, and weight belts for your use. In addition, a limited number of 15L tanks are available for rent on board ($8 per day). SMB, reef hooks, and Nautilus Lifeline devices are provided for free. If you prefer to rent the rest of your equipment from us, we have most of the equipment that you will need. Please indicate on your application form what equipment (and size) you require. Otherwise, the following items are the diver’s responsibility: 

• Application/liability release forms 
• Medical form and physician clearance, if required. 
• Certification cards 
• Proof of DAN (or similar) dive accident insurance 
• Diving logbook (strongly encouraged) 
• Mask * 
• Snorkel * 
• Fins * 
• Booties (if you wear them) 
• Dive computer (required) * 
• Buoyancy Control Device * 
• Regulator w/alternate air source * 
• Submersible pressure and depth gauges (required)* 
• Dive light * 
• Tank Marker Lights (suggested for night dives) 
• Shorty/ Full Wetsuit – 3 mm * 
• Repair kit w/ spare parts 
• Safety sausage/SMB (required) 
• Reef hook (Required)

Food is energy on a live-aboard

Meals are mostly served buffet style, in the main dining lounge. The chef prepares delicious food, with Western and Asian influences. Aboard the Black Pearl Explorer, meals usually consist of lots of fresh vegetables, several mixed salads, rice, pasta, chicken, beef, lamb, fish, fruits, and pastries. Breakfast is the usual fare of eggs, chicken, pancakes, cereals, salads, French toast, bread, pastries, yogurts, and fresh fruits. One snack is served before the first morning dive and in the afternoon.  

Please tell us if you have any dietary restrictions or requests, please indicate so on your application form. Please note that specific brands of drinks, dressings, and foods are often unavailable in Palau, and it can also be very difficult for Family Dive Adventures to find low-fat, gluten-free, or soy products and other items common elsewhere.

Yep, it's a journey, but it's worth it!

Getting there can take some time; here's information and tips. The number one tip is to use our flight wholesaler, Lennie Chavez, who is a seasoned flight planner and expert in the Pacific. Here email:  lenniec@grandholidays.com. Just mention Kids Sea Camp and watch her work her scheduling magic. Please note: Don't email her if you are using points or flight credits.

Palau International Airport

Your Palau vacation will officially start when you arrive at Palau International Airport. The airport's official name is: The Roman Tmetuchl International and is Palau’s only (international) airport.
The airport code is ROR, and you can use the Palau airport code when searching for your flights to Palau online. 

The trip to Palau from the US isn’t a direct flight either. You will start your Palau vacation when boarding a United Airlines flight in LAX or San Francisco and fly to Palau via Honolulu, Guam, into Palau. 

Flying from Guam to Palau

• Guam (GUM) – Palau (ROR)
• Flight Time: 1.5 hours

 The flight from Guam to Palau is only 2 hours or so. Under normal circumstances, there are almost daily flights from Guam to Palau. Guam has daily flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, providing an excellent connection hub to New York. Guam also offers connections from London flights if you are traveling from Europe.

Overnight stays

As a resort town, Palau has many excellent hotel/resort values. Here are some suggested resorts: 

• Palau Pacific Resort
• Palau Royal Resort 
• Aliiibamu Resort Carolines 
• Sea Passion 

What to bring

Packing for a liveaboard trip is much easier than packing for a land-based vacation. The climate doesn’t require much more than shorts, T-shirts, and swimsuits, though at sea, the winds can be refreshing, and a light jacket may be necessary. Soft luggage is recommended as it takes up very little space when empty.

If you plan to extend your stay in Palau, consider bringing walking shoes or sneakers.  Please remember that the sun can be very strong. For this reason, please make sure you have sufficient strength ocean-friendly sunscreen. In case of rough weather, or if you tend to seasickness, come prepared with motion sickness medications or Transderm patches from your doctor.

All linens (including sheets, comforters, bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths) are provided on board. Remember your Application/Liability Release, medical forms, and certification card(s). If possible, pack your regulator, dive computer, mask, swimsuit, change of clothes, medications, and toiletries in your carry-on bag. Having these few items with you will make an unexpected luggage delay far more bearable. 

Diving need we say more, but non-divers are also welcome

Non-divers are welcome onboard Black Pearl Explorer. They can enjoy the facilities onboard such as the fitness area and game room, or just spend time relaxing on the beautiful sundeck. They can also use our kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Non-divers can snorkel when the area around the dive site is suitable. We can arrange a snorkel guide if the request is made a minimum of one month before departure, subject to additional charges. Non-divers will be given a discount of 10% off the full price of the cruise.

Contact Family Dive Adventures directly for current information and pricing. Pricing is not guaranteed until paid in full. Package prices may not include some or all of the following: departure tax, round-trip airline reservations, luggage fees, gov’t taxes, port taxes, fuel surcharges, and marine park fees. These conditions are beyond our control and are generally payable to the vendor directly. Family Dive Adventures and its agents act solely as a reservation service for selected suppliers and operators. It is your responsibility to provide proper documentation for international travel. Travel insurance is highly recommended for all trips. Kids Sea Camp is not an insurance company and does not collect payment for any insurance purchased with DAN, MASA, or CFAR USI. We provide links  to sources that may assist you on our website www.familydivers.com sources that may assist you on our website www.familydivers.com