Welcome to Ocean Hunter III, the latest and most luxurious addition to the Ocean Hunter Fleet in Palau. The boat represents 25 years of knowledge in the liveaboard industry and like all of our liveaboards was designed by divers, for divers. Ocean Hunter III will be diving the reefs of Palau, plus special trips to places such as Yap.

As usual with our fleet, you also have the knowledge and hospitality of our very experienced local crew. Ocean Hunter III has 3 standard cabins, 3 deluxe cabins and 2 master staterooms all with private bath and a/c, and accommodates up to 16 guests with personal attention and plenty of space.

There is a large dining room and a comfortable salon with sofas and an entertainment system. The salon also contains a high quality espresso machine. Alternatively you can relax in the jacuzzis on the spacious sun deck. Furthermore, Ocean Hunter III is designed for professional underwater photography, TV and Film production, with a sizeable working area, 110, 220 and 415 volt electrical outlets and extra storage space.

Ocean Hunter III offers powerful PC's for movie and video editing with download, email and cd burning services.

Ocean Hunter 3 - prices and what's included

Prices are per person and in USD based on 2 persons sharing a cabin.
Exact pricing is available on the schedule here as prices vary dependant on the time year, destination and the length of the trip and sometimes special offers are available.

The trip price includes:

Accommodation on board
Diving according to trip’s itinerary
3 gourmet meals a day, hot and cold drinks
Snacks (sunrise, morning, afternoon and late night)
Transportation to and from boat
Weights, weight belt and Scuba tanks.

The trip price does not include:

Koror State Diving Permit including Jellyfish Lake… $100 per person for 10 days
Koror State Diving Permit excluding Jellyfish Lake… $50 per person for 10 days
Peleliu Diving Permit… $30 per person  for 10 days
Airport Departure Tax and Green Fee Tax… $50
Dive Equipment rental - $75 per person per day including computer.
Nitrox - Per Tank $15.50 - Unlimited Use (7 day trip) $299 per person, Unlimited Use (10 day trip) $399 per person
Alcohol and soft drinks
Koror Airport Departure Tax… per person $20 and green fee - Payable at the airport

Children under 5 - 50%

For 7 full paying guests you receive one person free, pay 7 and bring 8 for 14 full paying guests you receive 2 persons free of charge, pay 14 and bring 16 (full charter)

Diving Equipment Rentals (USD) Per day
Full Set (regulator, octopus, BCD, wetsuit, mask, fins, dive computer) $ 75
Regulator with octopus $ 20
Computer $ 20
BCD $ 20
Wetsuit (shorty 3mm) $ 15
Mask and snorkel $ 7
Fins (+ booties $7 as required) $ 7
Torch $ 20

Personal pony tanks and SPARE AIR refills are free
20% discount for 7 days rental and more

Terms and conditions:

Individual bookings:
Booking deposit:
30% of booking is required within 7 days of booking - non refundable
70 % is due to 90 days prior to departure - non refundable.
Balance due 90 days before your trip departure date - non-refundable.
Individual booking made less than 90 days before the departured ate are payable in full at the time of booking.
Cancellation at any stage involves forfeit of monies already payed.

Group charter:

Booking deposit:
10% - within 7 days of booking - non-refundable
Second deposit:
20% 180 days prior to departure - non-refundable
Balance due
90 days before departure - non-refundable

Ocean Hunter III - Additional Costs (Extras)

Nitrox - Per Tank…$10.50 - Unlimited Use (7 day trip)…$199 - Unlimited Use (10 day trip)…$285
Onboard Drinks
(Filtered Water, Tea and Coffee are all free of charge).
Soft Drinks…$1.50
Bottled Mineral Water…$1.50
Beer…$3.00
Spirits…$4.00
Wine (per bottle)…$45-75

Rental Gear prices

If you rent gear from Ocean Hunter trip for a period of 7 days or more, you will get a 20% discount off our normal per day prices. Alternatively you can purchase any needed equipment from the Pro Shop - we are an Aqualung dealer and all rental equipment is fully serviced and less than one year old. If you would like to rent something you don´t see on the list below, just ask us and we can arrange it!

Ocean Hunter 3 - cabins

To see photos of the cabins please visit the schedule and click on the cabin name to see the photos of each cabin, availability and price.

Master State Rooms

Specially designed to Mega Yachts standards; the Master State Rooms boast a large living space, extra large double bed, private TV, DVD and Mini Bar, computer/toilette table and a sofa / bed. Large and spacious bathroom with ensuite shower and Microphor Toilet head providing silent and reliable operation. Large storage space and closets. Separately controlled A/C. 110/220 volts outlets.

Deluxe Cabins

Our 4 deluxe cabins contain a large living space with king size double bed with single bunk above. The ensuite bathroom holds a shower, basin and a Microphor toilet head providing silent and reliable operation. Large storage space and closets. Separately controlled Air Conditioning and 110/220 volt outlets.

Standard Cabins

The 2 standard cabins on Ocean Hunter contain a queen size double bed along with a single bunk. As always there is a private ensuite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet. Large storage space and closets, separately controlled Air Conditioning and 110/220 volt outlets.

Ocean Hunter 3 - itinerary

Your actual schedule may vary as all our trips are based around sea conditions, tides, currents and moon cycles. We want to dive the right site at the right time!

#Typical Itinerary for 7 day trip:

Day 1:
We will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30 a.m.
You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board. 

12:30-1 p.m.: First dive on Helmet Wreck (WWII Japanese ship which is easy to dive and you can check your gear and weights) 

2:00-4:30 p.m.- Ocean Hunter will cross the lagoon to German Channel 

4:30 p.m.- Second dive at German Channel or Big Drop Off.

7 p.m. Night dive 
Dinner (can be moved before night dive at customer request on any day)

Days 2, 3, 4:
Wake up at 6:00-6:30 a.m. with coffee, tea and sweet rolls

The diving on these days will be at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German wall, Barnum wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus coral gardens, Ngedebus wall, Fairyland, etc..
7 a.m. First dive

8:30 a.m.- Full breakfast

10:00 a.m.- Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m.- Third dive

4:00 p.m.- Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive

Dinner

Day 5:
Ocean Hunter moves to the Peleliu area and we dive at the following divesites:
Peleliu Wall, Peleliu Corner, Peleliu Coral Garden, Orange Wall, Peleliu Expressway, White Beach, Yellow Wall, Peleliu Cut, etc
For those who are interested we can offer a land tour on the island of Peleliu which was a major battlefield during WWII.

7 a.m. First dive

8:30 a.m.- Full breakfast

10:00AM- Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m.- Third dive

4:00 p.m.- Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive

Dinner

Day 6:
Return to Ngemelis area for another dive and then make our way to Jellyfish Lake (snorkelling and hiking) and then to on Ulong.
Places that we dive there are: Ulong Channel, Siaes Tunnel, Siaes Corner and Shark City.

7 a.m. First dive

8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00-1:30 p.m. - Third dive

4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive
Dinner

Day 7:
A dive in the Ulong area and then as we approach Koror, a shipwreck dive (Iro or Chuyo Maru) and then Chandelier Cave. If time permits we can also offer a trip to Mandarinfish Lake. Arrive at the dock in the late afternoon. Guests can rinse their gear and start packing.

7 a.m. First dive

8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Third dive

4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive

Dinner

Day 8:
Guests have breakfast at 7:00 AM and disembark Ocean Hunter at 8:00 a.m..
We provide the transportation to the hotel or the airport.

Typical Itinerary for 10 day trip:

Day 1:
We will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30 a.m. You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.

12:30-1 p.m. : First dive on Helmet Wreck (WWII Japanese ship which is easy to dive and you can check your gear and weights)

2:00-4:30 p.m. - Ocean Hunter will cross the lagoon to German Channel
4:30- Second dive at German Channel or Big Drop Off.

7 p.m. Night dive 

Dinner

Days 2, 3, 4:
Wake up at 6:00-6:30 a.m. with coffee, tea and sweet rolls
The diving on these days will be at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German wall, Barnum wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus coral gardens, Ngedebus wall, Fairyland, etc..

7 a.m. First dive

8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast

10 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Third dive

4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive,
Dinner

Days 5,6:
Ocean Hunter sails to the Peleliu area and we dive some of the following divesites:
Peleliu Wall, Peleliu Corner, Peleliu Coral Garden, Orange Wall, Peleliu Expressway, White Beach, Yellow Wall, Peleliu Cut, etc 
For those who are interested we can offer a land tour on the island of Peleliu which was a major battlefield during WWII.

7 a.m. First dive

8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Third dive

4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive

7PM - Night dive
,
Dinner

Day 7:
Return to the Blue Corner/Ngemelis area for another day of diving
. The diving on these days will be done at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German Wall, Barnum Wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus Coral Gardens, Ngedebus Wall, Fairyland, etc..

7 a.m. First dive

8 a.m. - Full breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Third dive

4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive
,
Dinner

Day 8:
Diving in the area of Ngerechong Island and visit to Jellyfish lake

7 a.m. First dive

8 a.m. - Full breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Visit to Jellyfish lake (instead of third dive)

4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive

7 p.m. - Night dive
, Dinner

Day 9:
Diving at the Ulong Island area. Among the Dive sites that we will explore are: Ulong Channel, Ulong wall, Siaes Tunnel, Siaes Corner, Ulong Coral Garden

7 p.m. First dive

8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast

10:00 a.m. - Second dive

12 noon- Lunch

1:00-1:30 p.m. - Third dive

4:00 - Fourth dive

7 p.m - Night dive
,
Dinner

Day 10

7 a.m. First dive on one of the WWII wrecks (Iro or Chuyo Maru)

8 a.m. - Full breakfast

10 a.m. - Second dive (dive on Jake Seaplane, a WWII airplane)

12 noon- Lunch

1:00 p.m. - Third dive at Chandelier Cave

4:00-5:00 p.m. - Return to dock. Divers can wash your gear and will have dinner on board

Day 11:

7:00 a.m. - Breakfast

8 a.m. - Disembark the Ocean Hunter to airport or your hotel (transportation provided).

Flight access to Palau is through Guam or Manila in the Philippines on continental airlines. We recommend that you arrive one night prior to the boat’s departure date, though we remain flexible if this is not possible. Continental Micronesia, a branch of Continental Airlines, holds flights to Palau via Guam (daily) or Manila (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Guam can be reached from Hawaii, Western USA, Australia, Seoul and Tokyo. Manila is a major hub serviced by flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, amongst others.

What are the arrival procedures on this trip?
At the Palau airport, you will be picked up by your hotel and transported to your accommodations. Please check with your hotel if they charge additional cost for the transfers.
The boat will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30 a.m. on the day of departure. You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.

What time is the embarkation, boarding and departure?
Check in time is after 10:30 a.m. on first day of the trip. Lunch will be provided on board.
On the final day guests have breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and disembark Ocean Hunter at 8:00 a.m.. The boat will provide the transportation to the hotel or the airport.

Ocean Hunter 3 - specs

Upper Deck

Wheelhouse

Ocean Hunter III will be heading out on some very exciting trips, so we needed to make sure she was fully kitted out for safe long-range, open water sailing. With that in mind we’ve equipped the bridge to American Bureau of Shipping specifications - with 3 separate GPS systems, gyro compass and autopilot, multiple radios, vertical and 3D bottom scanners and a satellite phone.

Sun Deck

As always on the Ocean Hunter fleet we’ve given you as much room to relax in as we can. The Sun Deck on Ocean Hunter III is very spacious indeed, with ample loungers, chairs and tables for you to while away the lazy hours between dives. Or enjoy yourself in our two heated jacuzzis!

Main Deck

Salon

After your last dive of the day what better place to relax than in our luxurious salon. There are 4 large sofas to sit back on while watching a DVD on the 48” wallmounted flatscreen TV. A computer station has a high-spec machine ready for you to burn your photos and videos to disc. Alternatively take it easy with a book from our library, or by playing board games until it’s time for bed.

Galley

A large, hygenic galley that produces a never-ending flow of fresh gourmet food. Industrial refrigerator and freezer units keep food fresh until needed, even on a long trip. Enough storage space that we never have to run out of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dining Room

The beautiful wood finish to the interior means the dining and living area on Ocean Hunter III is a warm and homely area to relax in. 4 separate tables allow all our guests to eat together without inconvenience, on very comfortable padded seating. Also in the dining area you will find an icemaker, coffee machine 32” plasma tv and minibar / refrigerator.

Gear Room

Lots of room for everyone here. This semi-dry area has ample storage space for each individual diver, along with 415/220/110V outlets for charging cameras and batteries

Dive Deck

Designed by divers for divers, Ocean Hunter III’s dive deck is both spacious and efficient. It boasts individual storage bins, plenty of room for Nitrox and air tanks up to 100 cubic feet (15 litres) and a filling station that can provide gas mixing for Trimix, Nitrox and blends up to 100% oxygen. Plus enough room for you to move around in comfort at both the start and end of your dives.

Ocean Hunter 3 - diving

Palau liveaboard diving is consistently chosen as one of the world’s premiere diving destinations by several international diving publications, Palau features enchanting topside topography as well as breathtaking underwater landscapes. Experience big fish action at the Blue corner and New drop off. Shafts of light cutting through deep shadows create a near-religious experience at the Blue holes, German channel, Chandelier cave, Pelieu, Siaes tunnel, Ulong channel, Wrecks and many more Palau offers some of the most unique holiday possibilities: its natural beauty and untouched wilderness, intact culture, remoteness and stability combine to offer a fantastic destination for adventure seekers.

The spectacular walls along the barrier reef, including such favorites as Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Big drop-off and many other sensational offer dive sites yet to be charted. You can expect mostly wall and drift diving with visibility ranging from 20m / 70 feet to 50m / 150 feet depending on prevailing conditions. All our boats are liveaboards for people enthusiastic or serious about their diving but also welcome snorkellers and non-divers who will have their own separate itinerary.

It is located between Guam, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Palau is a 400-mile long archipelago, which hosts one of the world’s most unique phenomena - “ Rock Island”. These mushroom like islets are uninhabited and located in a large lagoon that has a vast concentration of corals, fish and other marine life. White sand beaches, lush jungle and remote waterfalls are just among the highlights of Palau.

The islands of Micronesia are scattered over three million square miles of the North Pacific. Palau is the Pacific’s newest nation, a Mecca for divers and home of the exquisite Jellyfish Lake. The Republic of Palau lies east of the Philippines and comprises of some 350 islands. They are grouped in six clusters stretching to 400miles from North to South, Kayangel Atoll to Tobi Islands.

Palau is world renowned as an unsurpassed dive destination that also offers the sublime Rock Islands, dramatic waterfalls, pristine white sand beaches and some of the most intriguing native flora and fauna found anywhere in the Pacific Ocean. Explore the beauty of Palau with the Big Blue explorer.

Palau has been described as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, with 700 species of coral and 1,200 species of identified fish. Palau provides some of the best diving to be found in Micronesia and ideally is suited for advanced divers.

The spectacular walls along the barrier reef, including such favorites as Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Big drop-off and many other sensational offer dive sites yet to be charted. You can expect mostly wall and drift diving with visibility ranging from 20m / 70 feet to 50m / 150 feet depending on prevailing conditions.

History of Ocean Hunter III

Following 14 years of successfully operating Ocean Hunters I and II in the waters of Palau, owners Navot and Tova Bornovski had an urge to expand. Since then they have been looking for a suitable vessel to add to the fleet, one suitable not only for the waters around Palau, but also capable of longer distance trips around the unspoilt islands that scatter the Western Pacific Ocean. Following the success of transforming the Harry Messel into Ocean Hunter II in 2003, the Bornovski’s returned to the same source to find the latest addition to the fleet. Once again our latest ship was originally built and operated as a research vessel by the Australian Institute of Maritime Science (AIMS). The RV Lady Basten was launched in 1978, intended primarily for operation in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Since then she went gone on to become the workhorse of the AIMS fleet, travelling all over from Ningaloo to Fraser Island, Timor to Papua New Guinea. During her life with AIMS she travelled over a million kilometres during over 7,500 days at sea. In September 2007 the Lady Basten gained her new name, Ocean Hunter III and started her journey to Cebu, there to undergo a complete refit and renovation prior to her return to Palau in March 2008 as the newest and most luxurious liveaboard in town.

Food

Ocean Hunter owner and reknowned chef and cookery writer Tova Har-El has developed our delicious gourmet menu. She has not only had extensive experience as a chef, but specifically as a liveaboard chef! She cooked on the first Palau liveaboard for more than a year and went out on the Ocean Hunter for the first six months in Palau, closely analyzing the tastes of hungry divers after exiting the water and learning to cater to their every taste whim. As a dedicated diver herself who knows the importance of low-fat, fiber rich meals, Tova designed our menu with international cuisines such as Palauan, Italian, Mediterranean, French and Japanese (with fresh sashimi and sushi), and with a bit of her own style as well. She has worked extensively with our cook Arlee. Below is a sample timetable for the food that Arlee will woo you with on a typical Ocean Hunter day. Fresh vegetables and fruits are in abundance and will be served with every meal. We will gladly cater to vegetarian or any other dietary request. Snacks will be served in between meals.

Sample menu

  • 06:00 AM: Gourmet coffee and tea are served with fresh sweet rolls and cakes.
  • 08:00 AM: After the first dive of the day, we serve a full breakfast.
  • 12:30 PM: After the third dive of the day, it’s time for a buffet lunch.
  • Afternoon: Daily fresh fruit smoothies will be served (papaya, pineapple, soursop, and many other local exotic fruits).
  • 7:30 PM: On a white tablecloth with chinaware, dinner will be served after the night dive, with a different gourmet soup every night to warm you up, followed by fresh salad and the international dinner of the day. Dinner can be served before the night dive if preferred.

Communication Onboard

We have a marine VHF radio and a cell phone that we useto keep in touch with the office in town three times a day. Family members or friends can reach guests onboard by calling the ship cell phone at 680-777-2290, or they can leave a message at the Ocean Hunter office (680- 488-2637) . Guests may of course use the ship cell phone, though at-cost charges apply.

Safety

Safety remains a top priority at all times aboard the Ocean Hunter III. She has full safety equipment for all US Coast Guard requirements as well as an Emergency Oxygen Kit. A VHF marine radio and a cell phone maintain constant contact with land. Upon arrival, the crew will thoroughly brief you on safety aboard Ocean Hunter III, including use of life jackets, fire extinguishers and emergency exits. The crew has been specially trained in Emergency First Response, and all boating and diving emergencies.

Electricity

Very quiet generators supply 24-hour electricity in 110 and 220 volts, with standard American outlets for two/three prong plugs. There are at least 4 outlets in each cabin. All 60 outlets are regulated and surge protected.

Entertainment

On-board is a 42” Plasma TV in the lounge, a 32” Plasma TV in the dining room and 24” TV’s in the Master Staterooms. We also have a DVD player, CD stereo and VCD player. We have a wonderful collection of DVDs, CDs and VCDs, and we invite you to bring your own as well! We also have an extensive marine library for you to browse.

Medical Support Onboard

We have a well-equipped first aid kit onboard, including oxygen. You should bring anti-seasickness medication and eardrops if you feel you will need them.

Smoking

Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the outside deck of the Ocean Hunter III.

Bar

Ocean Hunter III offers a full bar and refrigerator of drinks for guests. Mineral water is always free, however we must charge $1.50 for soft drinks and $3.00 for beer. These charges go towards developing a much-needed recycling program in Palau for the disposal of the cans. You are responsible for marking down your own tab at the refrigerator. Fine wine is available from $40 to $75 per bottle. See Extra Prices for more information

Tipping

Tipping is a personal matter, but for guests who have requested guidance on the subject: the Ocean Hunter is a U.S. standard liveaboard, with crew’s salaries based on tipping (upon your satisfaction). The average tip generally runs 7.5%-10% of the trip cost.

Previous Dive Experience

Since we cater to such a small group, we are very flexible in accommodating all levels of divers, from beginners to professionals. The spectacular walls along the barrier reef, including such favorites as Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Big drop-off and many other sensational offer dive sites yet to be charted. You can expect mostly wall and drift diving with visibility ranging from 20m / 70 feet to 50m / 150 feet depending on prevailing conditions

Water Temperature

The average water temperature is a warm 28 degrees Celsius, 83 degrees Fahrenheit. For protection in the water, a 3mm wetsuit, full or shorty, a skin, or even a t-shirt pleases most guests.

Gear to Bring

Don’t forget your mask, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, regulator with pressure gauge, BCD, dive computer/depth gauge/dive watch, dive gloves, optional dive knife, safety sausage (required) and reef hook. Reefhooks and safety sausages are available in our shop. You’ll have ample storage space for your gear. If you need to rent gear, you can do so upon arrival at our shop. Show me a list of rental gear and prices.

Equipment Provided Onboard

We freely provide weight belts, weights, and standard aluminum size 80 tanks, also some size 60 and 100 tanks. We also provide all the clean towels you’ll need throughout the trip. Unlike other liveaboards who give you any person’s used towel, you get your own color-coded, warm, dry towel after each dive.

Technical diving support:

Nitrox, TRIMIX and Rebreather support Nitrox certification available onboard Twin Bauer compressors, Nitrox membrane

Production support:

Twin generators for high voltage equipment demand. 1.6 tons hydraulic crane offers lifting capacity for most ROV’s, underwater cameras and Mini-subs. Enclosed and Air conditioned lab for scientific research and film productions.

Underwater Scooter

1200 Watt HMI lights to back-light corals, UV Filters, caves and wrecks.

Ocean Hunter 3 - faqs

Getting to Palau

We recommend that you arrive one night prior to the boat’s departure date, though we remain flexible if this is not possible. Continental Micronesia, a branch of Continental Airlines, holds flights to Palau via Guam (daily) or Manila (Wednesdays and Saturdays). Guam can be reached from Hawaii, Western USA, Australia, Seoul and Tokyo. Manila is a major hub serviced by flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, amongst others. However, check up-to-date fares and schedules on //www.continental.com/. Also be sure to check the up-to-date baggage restrictions and requirements for your flight. Occasional direct flights to Palau are available from Taipei. We recommend that you make reservations ahead of time as well as purchase travel insurance in case of last-minutecancellations. We can assist with a special rate for a return flight from Manila to Palau (Manila - Palau - Manila) of $575; the regular rate is $760.

Entry requirements

U.S. citizens must show proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or passport). Non-U.S. citizens must show passport. There is a free 30-day visa issued upon arrival.

Upon arrival

At the Palau airport, you will be picked up by your hotel or the boat representative and transported to the boat dependant on when you arrive.

Clothing

Bring very casual and lightweight clothing. Quick-dry material or light cotton works well, with maybe one long-sleeved shirt or sweater for chilly nights. We also recommend a waterproof jacket or windbreaker. On the island, dress is very casual, though beachwear in town is inappropriate. We recommend bringing hats,sunscreen and sunglasses.

Language

Palauan and Englishare both official languages. Both are widely spoken.

Currency

The U.S. dollar is used throughout Palau. Credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler’s Checks in U.S. dollars can also be widely used as cash or exchanged. There are quite a few 24-hour ATMs in banks on the main road in Koror. Bank of Hawaii and Bank of Guam are represented.

Electricity

24-hour electricity comes in 110 and 220/240 volts, with standard U.S. outlets for two/three prong plugs.

Health

There is no malaria. We recommend drinking bottled water. The hospital on Palau is the Belau National Hospital, located in Koror. There are also two private clinics. There is a hyperbaric chamber at the Belau National Hospital.

Time zone

Palau, Japan and Korea are 9 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, in London), Palau = GMT + 9. Central Europe (Geneva, Berlin, Paris) = GMT +1. Eastern Europe = GMT + 2. Moscow = GMT + 3. China, Singapore = GMT + 8. Sydney, Guam = GMT + 10. US Pacific Time = GMT - 8. US Mountain Time = GMT - 7. US Central Standard Time = GMT - 6. US Eastern Time = GMT - 5. (Note: US times advance one hour on summer time, April to October).

Climate

Year round our climate is pretty uniform, at an average of 82 degrees F (27 C). Average humidity: 82 %. Rainfall, at 150 inches/year, can occur throughout the year. Though sometimes it rains more during July through October, this “rainy season” doesn’t have a definitive start or end, and the weather is always changing and unpredictable. However, it is always dive-worthy, we have never had to cancel a dive trip!

Departure tax

Upon leaving Palau, there is a departure tax of $20 and $30 Green fee.

Hotel Reservations

Accommodations in Palau range from budget motels to very upscale resorts.

Money Matters

The US Dollar is the official currency of Palau. The majority of established hotels, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards or travelers cheques. Occasionally smaller, family-run business will only accept cash. There are several US operated banks and plenty of ATMs so cash is readily accessible, however the rate of exchange is very poor and guests would be advised to change money prior to arrival in Palau.

Weather and Water Temperature

Palau is 7 degrees north of the equator and enjoys a warm tropical climate year round. Temperatures average 27°C (82°F) and as a tropical island Palau is subject to rainfall throughout the year though more frequently between July and October. Diving is excellent year around though the peak season is considered to be November through May. The warm tropical waters of Palau are pleasant throughout the year averaging 27°C (82 °F). Most guests will find a 3mm shortie or even a skin suit is appropriate, though if you feel the cold easily you may wish to opt for a 3-5mm long suit.

General and Diving Health

Health care is readily available in Palau. The Belau National Hospital is a professionally staffed hospital with an experienced barotraumas team. Follow normal precautions with food whilst travelling to prevent stomach upsets and be sure to drink bottled water only. On board Palau Siren you will find a fully stocked first aid kit, AED and medical grade O2. Basic supplies will be made available to you, if you require medication please ask your cruise director. For diving related emergencies there is a recompression chamber in Koror. Speedboat evacuation from the boat would be necessary thus diving specific insurance is a must on any liveaboard dive trip.

Language and Religion

Palauan and English are the official languages of the Republic of Palau, though you may hear Tagalog, Japanese and Mandarin too. The population is predominantly Christian and there is approximately 10% of the population adhering to traditional Palauan customs. We recommend our guests are respectful and wear suitable attire when making island tours or visiting religious buildings.

What dive experience level is recommended for Palau Liveaboard trips?

Whilst most dives are suitable for divers of all levels, beginners may find some dives challenging and prefer to skip the dive. Currents are to be expected at sites including Blue Corner and Ulong Channel. your cruise director and dive team will be on hand to advise so you may decided whether the dive is suitable for you. We recommened having advanced experience or taking your PADI course whilst onboard to maximise your enjoyment from the trip.

Are a reef hook and/or surface marker buoy (SMB) necessary items of equipment and can you provide them on board?

It is recommended that each buddy team dive with a SMB in order to signal to the dive tenders you are ready to surface. Some boat traffic is to be expected in busier areas however it is not necessary to drift with your SMB for the entire dive time. SMBs are provided free of charge. Reef hooks are a strongly recommended item and will maximise your enjoyment of dives such as Blue Corner and Siaes Corner. Reef hooks are currently not available for purchase on board so guests are advised to purchase ahead of their trip.

Ocean Hunter 3 - schedule