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Just tried to post a dive report but am not sure where it ended up so I decided to put it here.
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Diving Palau
The only thing that can be said about diving in Palau is that it's impossible to do too much diving there. You know how you go some places and you're content to just do two dives a day? Well, Palau isn't like that. You definitely would not be content to do just two dives a day in Palau. If you could, you'd do 10 dives a day and still not get tired of it. It really is that good.
We dove with Sam's and they were great. The dive guides are really top notch. They are attentive without being obtrusive and if you're into photography, they know where all the critters are.
All of the dive site we went to were nice with lots to see. Some offered big things such as various kinds of sharks and eagle rays while others the small stuff like nudibranchs and various crustaceans. I would say that the dive sites that stand out in our minds even four years after the fact are Blue Hole and Blue Corner. Blue Hole with it's breathtaking tunnel starting in only a few meters of water and opening onto the sandy bottom at about 24 meters is gorgeous. Just before you get to the end, roll over on your back, look up and you can see all the way through the crystal clear blue water to the surface. It truly is stunning. Blue Corner is a great place to hook in and hang out to watch the sharks circle the wall. The friendly Napoleon Wrasse make for excellent photos opps, too.
Jelly Fish lake is also kinda neat. It's like diving in a huge bowl of tapioca pudding. They tell you not to touch the jellies but it's impossible as there are literally millions of them and they bump into you or just slide across your arms and legs. Very cool indeed and not to be missed.
Just at the back of Sam's there's a little lagoon which is home to lots and lots of Mandarin Fish. This dive site is very shallow, about 4-6 meters max and makes for a great evening or night dive. And to one side of the lagoon in Chandellier Cave. It's a rather small cave but it's interesting to dive among the stalactites.
And of course, there's plenty of wreck diving.
Unfortunately, dving in Palau is a bit on the expensive side. If you have all your own equipment, two dives a day will set you back about US$100. Need equipment, tack on a bit more. Accommodations are aplenty and the price range runs from budget to luxury.
Oh, and bring a wind cheater along for the boat rides back from the dive sites. It can get a bit chilly cutting through the wind in a wet dive suit.
If you would like to find out more about Palau and diving there, here are a few useful links:
General Info: http://www.visit-palau.com/
Sam's DIve Tours: http://www.samstours.com/
Fish 'n' Fins: http://www.fishnfins.com/
Lamduan
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