Micronesia Snorkeling
Choose where you sleep
- MV Ocean Hunter III
- S/Y Palau Siren
- SMY Ocean Hunter I
The excitement of diving a Palau site is as amazing as the boat ride to get there. On the speedboats you will glide over glassy water, wind in your hair, through the labyrinth of the Rock Islands... jungled islands sprinkled over the cobalt sea like emeralds.
The Rock Islands are composed of porous limestone, jagged and primal as they cut out of the water and towards the sky, yet overgrown in rich vegetation due to the collection of minerals in the limestone crevices. The water and bacteria have undercut the islands to form a precarious, skinny base rising out of the water, giving the islands their mushroom-shape or green muffin-top look.
The limestone, once the structure of an ancient coral reef, rose out of the water, leaving a skeleton of what this ancient underwater landscape might look like, with caves, marine lakes and waterways enfolded in the islands like a complex circulatory system. No buildings are allowed on the Rock Islands by law, to keep them so purely startling to both Palauans and visitors. Further strict conservation laws are in place around this oasis, restricting fishing, travel over the reef, and travel to certain Rock Islands in order to leave undisturbed sites for birds and turtles.
The most famous conservation area - no humans allowed - is the 70 Islands Wildlife Preserve... the part of Palau you see in all the aerial photographs.
A large barrier reef encloses the Rock Islands as well as most islands of Palau.
Koror is the capital region, composed of four small islands connected together by bridge. To the south of Koror lies Peleliu and Anguar, two other limestone islands, with mid-height profiles like Koror.
All islands are strewn with WWII artifacts such as a rusting tank covered with the tropical grasses and flowers so robust they spring from any crack in the sidewalk.
There are a handful of dive liveaboard boats offering cruises of a week or longer. See links above for more information.
Departing from Koror, the S/Y Palau Siren offers 6 to 10 day liveaboard dive cruises to a selection of sites including German Channel, New Drop Off, Ulong Channel and Blue Corner. The order in which diver dive is based upon the currents, weather conditions and moon phase as the crew will bring you to the best sites at the optimum time to dive them.
From Malakal Harbour the route will take you to dive at the Iro Maru wreck and Chandelier Cave. At Ulong, divers can expect a speedy drift dive along the reefs with schools of snappers and trevally at dive sites such as Ulong Channel and Siaes Corner. Divers can enjoy the spectacle of spawning bumphead parrotfish and grey reef sharks are known to breed here with many juveniles often be spotted among the groups.
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 was designed by divers, for divers. Ocean Hunter III will be diving the reefs of Palau, plus special trips to places such as Yap. You will have the knowledge and hospitality of her 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.
Technical diving support:
Twin generators for high voltage equipment demand.
Safety
Food & Beverage
The 40 meter SY Palau Siren is one of the newest members of the Siren fleet of dive liveaboards, completed in July 2012.
The cabins offer flexibility and can be used as twins or double bedded rooms. The dining area is very spacious offering a great setting for all your meals.
The S/Y Palau Siren accommodates up to 16 guests on each trip, ensuring abundant space for all.
The SY Ocean Hunter I has been specifically designed by divers, for divers. Unlimited diving is conducted off a spacious diving platform at the stern of the boat and hardly ever off a chaseboat (so you can climb right back onto the boat when you’re done and take a warm freshwater shower!).
Ocean Hunter I has three cabins with private bath and a/c, and accommodates up to 6 guests, which means uncrowded reefs, ease of entry into the water, personal attention and maximized bottom time. Furthermore, the vessel is designed for professional underwater photography, with a big working area and more than 60 electrical outlets (110 and 220 volt), extra storage space, and E-6 
processing available overnight.
About the cabins
Length x Beam : 75 feet (25m),19 feet (6m).
