Palau Snorkel Tour

The Pacific archipelago of Palau is a scenically stunning collection of pristine beaches and emerald islets, and 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 Bumphead Parrotfish spawning. 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
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5
• Day 6
• Day 7
• Day 8
• Day 9
• Day 10
• Day 11
• Day 12
• Day 13
• Day 14

• Thursday, March 5: Arrive Koror, Palau

  Arrive late tonight at Koror Airport, and transfer to the Palau Pacific Resort, nestled among 64 acres of lush tropical gardens and pristine white sand beach on the island of Ngerkebesang. Overnight at Palau Pacific Resort, with gorgeous ocean views, for the next 13 nights—the ideal base for exploring Palau.

• Friday, March 6: Nikko Bay

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel with the morning dedicated to a welcome briefing, orientation, and gear selection/fitting. When ready, 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. Return to the Palau Pacific Resort for the official welcome dinner.

• Saturday, March 7: Risong Bay

  Head out for a tour of the nearby Rock Islands. These mushroom-shaped, jungle-draped limestone formations are home to crocodiles, fruit bats, and a rich array of bird life including kingfishers, Reef Herons, Black Noddies, and White-tailed Tropicbirds, but their underwater offerings might be their biggest draw. 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 Crocodile Fish.

• Sunday, March 8: 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 seahorses and 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.

• Monday, March 9: 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, March 10: Patch Reefs

  Today, visit a series of patch reefs—small, isolated coral formations most commonly found in shallow waters, often between fringing reefs and barrier 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.

• Wednesday, March 11: 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. A refreshing snorkel over lush coral reefs filled with tropical fish is followed by a traditional and delicious Palauan lunch on the beach. This afternoon, contribute to Palau’s conservation and reef protection efforts by planting “seed” clams and learn more about the project and the importance of increasing the population of giant clams.

• Thursday, March 12: Peleliu or Koror

  You will need to make a choice between two options today. 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. End the day with a stop at the national museum for a deeper understanding of Palau’s history and culture.

• Friday, March 13: Babeldaob Island

  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.

• Saturday, March 14: 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.

• Sunday, March 15: Ngemelis Island

  Another full day dedicated to exquisite snorkeling opportunities, this time off Ngemelis,

  southwest of Koror. 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. At dinner, learn about the special bumphead event you have in store for tomorrow.

• Monday, March 16: Ulong Channel

  Return to Ulong today but for an entirely different experience. Your visit to Palau is timed to coincide with the Bumphead Parrotfish spawning event that happens around the new moon. A very early start this morning will take you by boat into the Ulong channel to witness hundreds of Bumphead Parrotfish aggregating and then bumping their heads together like buffaloes, color changes take place and finally the simultaneous release of eggs and sperm— a breathtaking natural phenomenon!

• Tuesday, March 17: Ngemelis Island

  Return to Ngemelis Island for further exploration of the exquisite reefs and world class snorkel sites packed with life—schooling fish, gliding sharks, Napoleon Wrasse, Bumphead Parrotfish, nudibranchs, and crustaceans galore. Drift over walls with brilliant coral formations to cleaning stations where the current attracts sharks and rays. Enjoy your grand finale to Palau and what is often referred to as the ‘Underwater Serengeti’ of planet Earth. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner at Palau Pacific Resort.

• Wednesday, March 18: Depart Koror

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