Palau at Palau Royal Resort

Overview

Where Pristine Reefs, WWII Wrecks, and Adrenaline Currents Collide

If there’s one destination every serious diver dreams about, it’s Palau—a remote Pacific archipelago renowned for its incredible biodiversity, thrilling drift dives, and deep cultural roots. Nestled between the Philippines and Guam, Palau is composed of over 500 islands, ranging from volcanic to limestone, scattered across a crystalline blue ocean. It’s home to some of the healthiest reefs in the world, a long-standing commitment to conservation, and one of the most unique marine environments on the planet.

Palau made global headlines when it declared the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, and continues to lead the way with its marine protected areas and cultural reverence for the ocean. Many of the dive sites here—like Blue Corner, German Channel, and Ulong Channel—are legendary, but what sets Palau apart is its ability to surprise even the most experienced diver. Here, you’re as likely to see a manta ray circling a cleaning station as you are to drift through a coral canyon filled with turtles, reef sharks, and swirling clouds of snapper.

You’ll also explore powerful remnants of the past. Palau played a pivotal role during World War II, and wrecks like the Iro Maru, a sunken Japanese oil tanker, offer eerie, yet beautiful reminders of that history. Coral now covers gun turrets—schools of fish swirl through steel beams. Life has reclaimed what war left behind.

With BlueBound Travel, this isn’t a bucket-list stop—it’s a fully guided expedition. We’ve partnered with the expert team at Sam’s Tours, Palau’s premier dive operator, and you’ll stay at the Palau Royal Resort, where ocean-view rooms, a private beach, and a peaceful poolside scene set the tone for your surface intervals.

Expect 20 dives over 8 days, including a dive at the surreal Chandelier Cavern, and the option to add on Jellyfish Lake or a full-day trip to Peleliu Island, known for both advanced dive sites and its intense WWII history.

A Day in the Life: What It’s Like to Dive Palau with BlueBound

You wake up with the sun rising over the Rock Islands, grab a fresh tropical breakfast, and head to the dock at Sam’s Tours. The team has already prepped your gear. Within 20 minutes, you’re descending into the German Channel, where manta rays glide overhead and reef sharks circle the coral ridges. Surface interval? A white sand beach on Ulong Island—barefoot, quiet, pristine. Back on the boat, you drift through Ulong Channel, carried by the current past sea fans, giant clams, and a wall of color and life.

By late afternoon, you’re back at the resort, poolside cocktail in hand, or maybe a massage at the spa. In the evening, you join the group at Kramer’s Café or watch the sunset at The Drop-Off Bar, swapping stories of sharks, caverns, and currents. Every day is different. Every dive is unforgettable.

The BlueBound Difference: Dive with Purpose

At BlueBound Travel, we don’t just explore—we preserve. Every trip is personally guided, with one or more of our experienced dive professionals on site to handle logistics, assist with gear, offer dive tips, and ensure safety throughout the week.

Our guides are there to support you, not to vacation. They’ll work closely with local dive teams, helping steer decisions and uphold the highest standards. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel like you’ve done this with us before—even if it’s your first time.

We partner only with local businesses that share our commitment to conservation, comfort, and meaningful connection. With BlueBound, you dive with purpose, and you’re never just a passenger.