Palau · Oceania & The Pacific
Palau
*If it's reef-hook walls, shark drifts and a manta
Live destinationIn the Oceania & The Pacific journey
*If it's reef-hook walls, shark drifts and a manta. Below, everything you need here — grouped by the Wells that matter, with vetted providers and straight pricing.
Stay-Well
Where you rest
Angama Mara
★ PrimeClifftop tented suites with sweeping Mara views
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Governors' Camp
★ PrimeFront-row tents on the Mara River
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Mahali Mzuri
★ PrimeSir Richard Branson's tented camp
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Sarova Mara Game Camp
VettedReliable comfort in the heart of the reserve
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Activities-Well
What excites you
Mara Hot-Air Balloon
★ PrimeSunrise flight + champagne breakfast
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Maasai Village Cultural Visit
★ PrimeMeet the community, respectfully
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Big Cat Tracking Experience
VettedWith a resident researcher
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Walking Safari — Olare Motorogi
VettedOn foot with armed rangers
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Eat-Well
What you savor
Bush Dinner by Angama
★ PrimeCandlelit dining on the plains
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Emakoko Restaurant
VettedFarm-to-table at the park gate
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Talisman, Nairobi
VettedA Karen institution before you fly out
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Affiliate partner. We may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you.
Carnivore Nairobi
VettedThe famous beast-of-a-feast
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Affiliate partner. We may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you.
Move-Well
Getting around
Mara Land Cruiser Safaris
★ PrimePrivate 4×4 with expert guide
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Abercrombie & Kent Transfers
★ PrimeSeamless private transfers
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Scenic Air Transfers
VettedFly between camps
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Nairobi Executive Cars
VettedAirport & city transfers
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Affiliate partner. We may earn a commission — at no extra cost to you.
Don't-miss jewels
Blue CornerPremier
the legendary reef-hook shark drift, visibility up to ~90 ft
German ChannelPremier
manta cleaning station; dozens of mantas in Jan-Feb
Ulong ChannelPremier
a premier drift past giant clams and lettuce coral
Blue HolesPremier
cathedral cavern of light beams into a wall
Peleliu Wall / Peleliu ExpressPremier
deep wall and strong-current corner off the WWII island
Siaes Tunnel / CornerComfort
cavern-tunnel and wall dive
New Drop-OffComfort
wall-and-plateau reef with sharks in current
Big Drop-OffComfort
a sheer wall off Ngemelis
Chandelier CaveComfort
a cavern with air chambers and stalactites
German Channel manta route (Dec-Mar)Premier
the winter manta-aggregation week
Blue Corner + Blue Holes + Ngemelis wall routePremier
the classic marquee-wall liveaboard arc
Peleliu WWII battlefield + Rock Islands (UNESCO)Premier
the WWII island ashore and the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon seascape
Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau)Premier
the permit-based golden-jellyfish lake; snorkel-only, scuba prohibited
Good to know
What is the current advisory for Palau, and how do I dive it responsibly?
Both note practical hazards rather than restrictions: unexploded WWII ordnance (found mainly on Peleliu - stay on marked paths and do not touch ordnance), diving hazards, and tropical cyclones, with an overnight curfew in Koror. Carry DAN membership plus dive-accident insurance with strong evacuation cover - the Palau Siren operator stresses that insurance covering emergency evacuation, chamber treatment and medical costs is a must - and observe an 18-24 hour no-fly window after diving. · https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/palau
Is there a recompression chamber, and how remote is care?
Palau has one hyperbaric facility for divers - a recompression chamber at Belau National Hospital in Koror. Hospital sources describe it as operational in 2026 with a trained barotrauma team, but availability can vary, so confirm its status with your dive operator or DAN before the trip. Because the archipelago is dispersed, serious cases can require evacuation by speedboat from the vessel and, in some cases, onward air evacuation to Manila - which is why evacuation-grade dive insurance matters here. · masterliveaboards.com/faq/palau (accessed 2026-08-09)
When is the best time to dive Palau, and when do the mantas aggregate?
The peak liveaboard season is November through May, with warm water (28-30C) year-round. For mantas at German Channel, the winter months are best - January and February can bring dozens of mantas to the cleaning station. · masterliveaboards.com/faq/palau + palaudiveadventures.com/dive-palau
Which sites define a Palau liveaboard week?
Blue Corner (the reef-hook shark drift), German Channel (mantas), Ulong Channel (a drift past giant clams and lettuce coral), the Blue Holes cavern, the Peleliu walls, Siaes Tunnel and New Drop-Off - plus the snorkel-only Jellyfish Lake as a non-dive highlight. · palaudiveadventures.com/dive-palau
What conditions and certification should I plan for?
Blue Corner, Peleliu Express and the channel dives are strong-current drift dives where a reef hook and good buoyancy are essential, best suited to experienced divers; sheltered reefs, Chandelier Cave and the lake suit a wider range with a guide. Nitrox is standard on liveaboards for the multi-day profile. Dive within your certification and the operator briefing. · palaudiveadventures.com/dive-palau
How far ahead do Palau liveaboards book?
The November-May peak on the marquee vessels fills earliest, with the January-February manta weeks in most demand; hold roughly 6-12 months out for peak windows and preferred boats, nearer term for the shoulder. Confirm per-vessel lead times with the operator. · masterliveaboards.com/faq/palau
