If world-class dive sites set in the crystalline waters that surround an archipelago of around 250 magical islands is your idea of fun then Palau is for you. You will have heard the name and seen the pictures but the question often on the lips of even the most seasoned traveler is: Where is Palau? This island republic sits in the western Pacific Ocean, about 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) east of the Philippines and 805 miles (1,295 kilometers) southwest of Guam. It boasts a spellbinding natural landscape made up of islands swathed in lush green forests, glass-like lagoons and white sandy beaches. Ocean life flourishes in the unblemished ecosystem and around multiple shipwrecks, making it a true nirvana for divers. Once an almost unreachable tropical hideaway, today the Palau island archipelago is an accessible destination and here you’ll find out about the best ways to get there. Getting to Palau from the U.S. and Canada With the continual rise in popularity of Palau as a tourist destination, there are now several international airlines that travel to Palau. U.S. carriers include Delta Air Line and United Airlines. Fly with Asian carriers such as Asiana Airlines, China Airlines and Korean Air. Also serving Palau is Lion Air, Mega Maldives, Pacific Mission Aviation and Palau Pacific Airways. It’s important to understand that there’s seven major hubs for flights to Palau’s Roman Tmetchul International Airport (ROR), over half of which are reachable via direct flights from the U.S. and Canada. A direct flight service is yet to be opened from North America but even with connections you can often arrive in under 24 hours. Starting with the closest geographically, the following are the Palau flight hubs. Read on and work out which is the most convenient for you: Yap Yap is another
If world-class dive sites set in the crystalline waters that surround an archipelago of around 250 magical islands is your idea of fun then Palau is for you. You will have heard the name and seen the pictures but the question often on the lips of even the most seasoned traveler is: Where is Palau?
Palau is made up of more than 350 of the most photogenic volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean you’ll ever encounter. Its waters boast more than 1,300 species of fish and more than 800 species of corals and sponges. Palau dive sites are among the best in wold. You'll also find that big pelagic encounters, tranquil coral gardens, current-swept drop-offs, and many World War II wrecks are among the area's major allure. The history of Palau is a diverse one. The region was first colonized by Spain in 1885, then Germany, followed by Japan and the United States. Despite this, it has maintained its own unique culture with a relaxed lifestyle and simple but comfortable ways. It is a place that is in tune with the environment and an excellent site for scuba. This stunning locale sits out in the Pacific just two hours east of Manila and three hours from Hong Kong. Situated midway between the Philippines and Guam in the western part of the Caroline Islands, it offers truly world-class diving. Palau is particularly known for its incredible diversity of dive sites. With wreck dives, reef dives, and drift dives, the locale offers an incredible number of new places to explore, including historic World War II battlefields. The diving season is year-round, but experienced divers know that the "dry" season before May 1st is the best for experiencing the world beneath the waves. The best part of Palau is that you can dive at the same site again and again and have completely different experiences each time! Best Palau Dive Sites Blue Corner Location: 25 miles SW of Koror, Northwest end of Ngemelis Island Suitable for: Novices (no current) up to Experienced/Advanced (strong current) Depth: 25 feet (8 meters) to 90+ feet 30 meters Plateau: 45-60 feet (15-20
Palau is made up of more than 350 of the most photogenic volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean you’ll ever encounter. Its waters boast more than 1,300 species of fish and more than 800 species of corals and sponges. Palau dive sites are among the best in wold. You’ll also find that big pelagic encounters,
