Palau Kayak, Snorkel & Dive aboard Palau Siren

In Palau. If flying in today, you will be met outside Palau International Airport and transferred to the group hotel. Check into your room for your overnight stay. Own arrangements for dinner. OVERNIGHT: PALAU CENTRAL HOTEL (or similar) *The following itinerary should be seen as an approximate guide only as tides, weather and group logistics will dictate our day to day plans. The program may also change to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, to suit local conditions and according to the preference of the group.

Meals:  Nil

Today is at your own leisure before the late afternoon transfer to the liveaboard. Things to do and see in and around Koror include; a visit to the two museums for an insight into the culture and history of Palau, a self-drive exploration by rental car of Badeldaob Island (connected to Koror by a bridge) or a spectacular scenic flight over the islands. Lunch is not included today. Pick up for the transfer to Palau Siren is between 4.30pm-5.00pm from the hotel lobby. On boarding, you’ll meet the captain and crew before settling into your cabins. After boat, safety and gear briefings, it’s time to relax and enjoy dinner on board, the first of many delicious meals.

Meals:  B,D

After a hearty breakfast onboard, the group and guide will transfer by tender to the kayak base for fit out and to pack the kayaks. After a kayak orientation, we launch the kayaks and paddle out of Malakal Harbour, where we are immediately surrounded by jungle-clad limestone islands and turquoise waters. After an easy morning paddle, we stop to cool off with a snorkel at Pincer’s Lagoon, a perfect introduction to the spectacular underwater world in which Palau is famous for. After lunch aboard the Palau Siren’s tender, we explore West Ngeruktabel's lagoon, home to stunning craggy islands, rock arches and intriguing caves. West Ngeruktabel is also the site of several WW II sunken relics, now brimming with fish and vibrant corals. We rendezvous with the tender and transfer to Palau Siren, anchored close to Ulong Island, one of the largest in the Rock Islands and home to white sand beaches, palm trees and turquoise bays. This evening we enjoy dinner onboard under a multitude of stars. OVERNIGHT: PALAU SIREN

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast onboard we return to our kayaks and continue exploring West Ngeruktabel’s inner lagoon. Highlights include paddling through Natural Arch (a perfect photo op) and swimming through Soft Coral Arch, marvelling at the corals that give it its’ name. After lunch, we paddle on towards Ngebedangel Island, cross the channel to Ulong Island and return to the Palau Siren for relaxation and great company. OVERNIGHT: PALAU SIREN

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, weather permitting, we up the ante with a spectacular drift snorkel through the Ulong Channel on the edge of the outer reef. After assessing the currents, we take to the water and drift through the channel observing masses of fish, of all sizes and shapes, and if we’re fortunate, a turtle or two. After lunch back on board we go ashore to Ulong Island to explore a UNESCO World Heritage ancient village site, mysteriously abandoned over 500 years ago. Paddling into Ulong’s inner lagoon offers a relaxing snorkelling site with an abundance of corals, both soft and hard, along with many varieties of reef fish. During our snorkelling outings, we’ll try and spot all four of Palau's anemone fish and marvel at superbly coloured parrotfish. Evenings on board Palau Siren are informal and filled with great food, company and informative talks, such as the story of the world’s first seafarers and migration across the Pacific. OVERNIGHT: PALAU SIREN

Meals:  B,L,D

We set off from Ulong beach this morning and paddle along the passage to Ngebedangel Island and then along Ngeruktabel’s rocky coastline. After lunch we’ll explore beautiful Ngchus Beach, on the south coast of Ngeruktabel, which is hidden behind a rock island and surrounded by turquoise waters. Ngchus was a small Japanese base during WWII and a crashed Japanese fighter plane can be viewed in shallow water, making an excellent snorkel site. Later in the day we cross over to Ngermeaus Island park or perhaps Giant Clam Beach before transferring back to Palau Siren which has been repositioned again to a stunning anchorage at Two Dogs Island. OVERNIGHT: PALAU SIREN

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we enjoy an exploration of Mecherchar Island (also called Eli Malk). The densely wooded island is up to 6 km long and 4.5 km wide. One of the many hidden bays on the island is home to a Yapese stone money quarry where perfectly preserved examples of the world’s largest money disks can be viewed with a short jungle walk. Paddling south, we explore mangroves and lush vegetation hanging off limestone cliffs. After paddling under Kingfisher Arch, we then tackle the crossing to Two Dogs Island where we pull the kayaks onto the beach and cool off with a refreshing swim. In the late afternoon we can snorkel the Coral Garden, a stunning site with outstanding plate corals and a short boat ride from the Palau Siren’s anchorage. OVERNIGHT: PALAU SIREN

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we take the tender to the southern part of the archipelago and spend the morning exploring Peleliu Island. The island was the site of one of the most ferocious World War II battles between U.S. and Japanese troops, now marked by rusted military remains in the island’s rocky caves and forests, as well as underwater shipwrecks. Peleliu is now a serene island with a close-knit community of around 700 residents, surrounded by pristine shores, lush landscapes and azure waters. We return to the Palau Siren for lunch before heading out to Ngemelis Island to experience an Outer Reef Extravaganza! The Big Drop-Off, the common name for Palau’s acclaimed Ngemelis Wall, was rated by Jacques Cousteau as the best walled dive in the world. Dropping just over 300 metres to the sea floor, the upper reaches are adorned with spectacular sea fans, coral whips and sponges. The awe-inspiring snorkel (or dive) takes place in crystal-clear seas with 30 metre visibility amid sharks, rays, turtles and thousands of reef fish. Back on board, we’ll dry off, relax and enjoy the sunset from the deck. OVERNIGHT: PALAU SIREN

Meals:  B,L,D

We arrive back into Koror early this morning. After breakfast on board, we farewell the crew and transfer to the airport, if flying out today, or to central Koror, if spending more time in Palau.

Meals:  B