Blue Corner consistently ranks among the world’s top dive sites and is renowned among scuba divers globally. Yet beyond this iconic location, Palau boasts a vast array of equally thrilling, world-class dive sites. The region is essentially a shallow turquoise lagoon encircled by dramatic drop-offs into the Pacific Ocean. Nutrient-rich currents flowing into these shallows create a vibrant marine environment where corals and schooling fish compete for space. Adding to the allure are the channels that feed into the lagoon, attracting numerous manta rays and reef sharks—a true paradise for scuba enthusiasts.
A liveaboard diving expedition through the Palau Islands offers a rich variety of experiences, from reef and drift dives to sunset and night explorations. As the entire nation is designated a shark sanctuary, divers are treated to regular sightings of reef sharks and manta rays. The underwater landscape also features stunning hard coral reefs, caves, caverns, a wreck, and the famous channel diving for which Palau is celebrated. While many sites are suitable for divers of all levels, some channels feature strong currents, making reef hooks an essential part of dive gear.
The diving itineraries focus on the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an additional day spent exploring Peleliu. The islands' narrow channels and ever-changing tidal currents are best navigated using skiff tenders. All liveaboards operating in Palau, including the Palau Siren, are required to anchor in designated mooring areas around the Rock Islands. As such, movement of the main vessel within the lagoon is minimal, with dive groups typically dropped off and retrieved by skiffs. These transfers between the Palau Siren and the dive sites generally take between 5 to 15 minutes, depending on anchorage.
Embarking from Malakal Harbour, the Palau Siren cruises into the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon before proceeding to Peleliu. Dive site selection and sequence vary by trip and are tailored to current conditions, ensuring guests experience the best of Palau’s three premier dive regions: Ulong, Ngemelis, and Peleliu.
A typical day aboard offers up to four dives—three during the day and, where possible, a sunset or night dive. The daily schedule is designed to balance activity and relaxation:
Light breakfast followed by a briefing and Dive 1
Full breakfast, relaxation, briefing, and Dive 2
Lunch, relaxation, briefing, and Dive 3
Snack, relaxation, briefing, and Dive 4
Dinner
*On days when land excursions are offered, only three dives are conducted.