Palau Snorkel Tour

The Pacific archipelago of Palau, a stunning collection of pristine beaches and emerald islets, is one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. Join Apex on our Palau Snorkel Tour as we explore this extraordinary nation, both above and below the water. Snorkeling offers the underwater naturalist a cornucopia of marine wonders with over 1,700 species of fish and 700 corals (450 hard and the rest soft) in its warm waters. Your aquatic explorations include everything from ancient shade-loving corals of inner lagoons and clearwater mangroves to outer reef walls and deep channels with larger pelagic species. Above the water, kayak the islands’ hidden lagoons, marine caves, forgotten World War II sites, and ancient Palauan villages. Learn about and meet the Palauan people, and take in the dramatic scenery, including a flight over the Rock Islands.

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Days 3 – 6
• Days 7 – 10
• Days 11 – 13
• Day 14

• Wednesday, April 14: Arrive Koror, Palau

  Arrive at Koror Airport, and transfer to the Palau Royal Resort, conveniently located on Malakal Island. With its own private beach and harbor, and rooms offering a view of the ocean and rock islands, this is the ideal base for exploring Palau. Overnight at Palau Royal Resort in a deluxe ocean view room for the next 13 nights.

• Thursday, April 15: Babeldoab

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel with time for a welcome briefing and gear selection. Afterwards, set out to explore by land and air. Babeldaob is Palau’s biggest island with a unique rainforest ecosystem. This is the only place in Asia where tropical forests and mangroves are returning on their own, without human intervention. Traverse the island by vehicle visiting several key sites today. Aimeliik is one of the oldest villages in Palau and the terraces and bai here showcase the unique architectural style and traditional craftsmanship of the Palauan people. Hike along jungle clad trails to the majestic Mesekelat Waterfalls, a series of cascades with cool refreshing pools to swim in. Take to the air for the ultimate view of Palau’s Rock Islands on a 45-minute scenic flight. Return to the Palau Royal Resort for the official welcome dinner.

• Friday – Monday, April 16 – 19: In-depth Exploration of Palau

  In order to maximize your time exploring Palau’s Rock Islands, inner lagoons, deep channels, and outer reefs, flexibility is the key to success. Weather, tides, lunar cycles, and visibility will not only determine, but will also frequently change, our plans. Places we aim to include are as follows:

  Nikko Bay
  Head out by boat to explore Nikko Bay with its winding maze of cathedral-like limestone cliffs clad in verdant jungle vines. These immense limestone walls have spared Nikko’s coral reefs from the ravages of surf and storm damage for millennia, resulting in some of the most diverse coral reefs on Earth. These ‘super corals’ are the most acid tolerant corals in the world due to the low water flow and are being studied by scientists to help protect reefs worldwide. History enthusiasts get their first taste of Palau’s place in World War II. Scattered amongst these lush islands are the remnants of bunkers and encampments built by the Japanese to delay the Americans from reaching their home islands.

  West Ngeruktabel Island
  Uninhabited West Ngeruktabel Island can only be reached by boat and is located in the Rock Islands’ Southern Lagoon. Several stunning snorkel sites are on option today. Soft Coral Arch is a natural archway framed by crystal-clear waters and a kaleidoscope of colors created by the corals and the diverse fish that thrive in this rich ecosystem. Lost Lake and Seahorse Bay offer an opportunity to look for shrimpfish alongside more common sightings, such as turtles, Bumphead Parrotfish, amazing damselfish, rare gobies, Napoleon Wrasse, several species of lionfish, wildly-colored Mandarinfish, clownfish, moray eels, eagle rays, weird nudibranchs, and much more.

  Long Lake
  Aptly named, Long Lake is a mile-long saltwater lake accessible only by kayaking through a mangrove forest channel. Search the forest canopy for Curtain Ferns, Micronesian Cycad, and endemic birds such as the Palau Flycatcher and Palau Fruit Dove. Once inside the lake, watch for baby Spotted Eagle Rays and juvenile Feathertail Stingrays. After lunch, snorkel in Einstein’s Coral Gardens, famed for its multi-colored collection of brain corals. If tide and time allow, visit the wreck of a sunken WWII Japanese Zero fighter plane that sits in only 3 to 4 feet of water. Take a mud bath in the lagoon’s calcium clay at Milky Way, where legend claims it takes years off your complexion.

• Tuesday – Friday, April 20 – 23: Continue Exploration of Palau

  Places we aim to include are as follows:

  Patch Reefs
  Palau’s patch reefs tend to have faster growing corals thanks to abundant sunlight and nutrient rich currents that have created stunning branching and tabletop colonies. There are several key formations to see today. Marvel at the field of beautiful blue coral hues at Fantasy Island and swim over technicolor coral formations at Rainbow Reef. Visit the renowned Reef Fish Apartment House, a massive colony of Turbinaria coral. The lobes and folds of this stony coral have more than two dozen fish species hiding and residing within its protective embrace.

  Ulong Island
  Ulong Island is the Rock Islands’ greatest archeological treasure with evidence of human history spanning at least 2,500 years. Hike to remnants of an ancient village with walls, scattered clay pot shards, and shell artifacts found below the forest canopy. Limestone overhangs reveal an impressive collection of rock art, and a crystal calcite quarry has intact Stone Money that tells the story of Yapese sailors and Micronesian sea trade.

  Airai
  Airai is located in the southeast corner of Babeldaob. A scenic boat ride takes you to the Yapese Stone Money Quarry at Metuker er a Bisech. A short hike reveals an example of Yap’s famous stone money, ‘Rai’—a large doughnut-shaped, carved disk, carved from the limestone quarry further up the hill. Further exploration along the coast reveals dramatic cliffs with nesting White-tailed Tropicbirds and Black-naped Terns. Explore deep cave systems that were strategically used by the Japanese military during World War II.

  Peleliu or Koror
  You will need to make a choice between two options on this day. Take a one-hour boat ride to Peleliu, a serene island with a small, close-knit community of around 700 residents, but most well-known as the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during World War II. Nicknamed “Museum Island” by the locals, there are many historical and memorial sites for both U.S. Marines and Japanese soldiers. Your full day tour will delve deep into the history of this battle and Palau’s place in the greater World War II conflict.

  Alternatively, visit the main town of Koror, Palau’s largest city and main commercial center. The day is dedicated to Palau’s impressive marine conservation stance, as well as showcasing Palau’s marine biodiversity. Visit the aquarium and aquaculture facility before heading to the inspirational recycling center where glass blowers repurpose old glass.

• Saturday – Monday, April 24 – 26: Continue Exploration of Palau

  Places we aim to include are as follows:

  Risong Bay
  Explore Risong Bay by kayak with the sound of the endemic Palau Cicadabirds echoing overhead, paddle into caves and tunnels at the base of the limestone islands. The shallow waters allow kayaks to access areas speed boats cannot reach, and the protected bays serve as nurseries for juvenile Blacktip Reef Sharks and the occasional stingray. Snorkel over pristine coral gardens bursting with baby butterfly fish, Honeycomb Groupers, and the unusual Crocodilefish.

  Turtle Cove
  Located on the southwestern reefs of Ngercheu Island, Turtle Cove is aptly named for the marine turtles that lay their eggs on the island’s beautiful beaches. Snorkel above the vertical reef wall admiring plenty of colorful reef fish such as Blueface, Regal, and Emperor Angelfish. The variety of marine life and unique underwater formations are sure to leave a lasting impression.

  Ngemelis Island
  Expect more than one visit to Ngemelis, southwest of Koror, as the snorkeling opportunities are exquisite. A dedicated “no-fishing zone” for 20-plus years, the Ngemelis Conservation Area offers a variety of exciting sites to explore. In addition to a wide range of hard and soft corals and brightly colored anemones, look for schools of Blue Devil Damselfish and, with luck, Manta Rays. The sand flats attract Green and Hawksbill Turtles, sting rays, and even Tiger Sharks. The outer reef walls teem with Napoleon Wrasses, schooling barracudas, Moorish Idols, and a wide variety of butterflyfish and angelfish. Drift over walls with brilliant coral formations to cleaning stations where the current attracts sharks and rays. Ngemelis is often referred to as the ‘Underwater Serengeti’ of planet Earth.

• Tuesday, April 27: Depart Koror

  After breakfast at the resort, transfer to Palau International Airport for your flights home.