Diving Palau

Palau is made up of an archipelago of 343 islands and, and is best known for its spectacular scuba diving. Yet, it offers a diversity of attractions. Magnificent drop-offs, an immense variety of rare and exotic marine life, vast numbers of large pelagic predators, numerous shipwrecks and an incredible clarity of water attracts divers from all over the world. But there is even more to Palau above the water.

Hundreds of tiny mushroom shaped, densely vegetated islands are the Palauans` traditional playground. The Rock Islands, their limestone bases undercut by eons of wave and water action, create an illusion of floating on top of the water. They are a labyrinth of twisting channels, white sand beaches, underwater caves and lakes. Here people commute by speedboat rather than car.

Outside the capital of Koror, Palau returns to traditions and a lifestyle reminiscent of a time before colonization. A time when the folk tales now carved upon Palaun storyboards were told around the cooking fires. When the Yapesse braved long arduous ocean voyages to hew their stone money from Palau`s limestone quarries, and Udoud, Palau`s glass and coral currency, ensured Palau`s prosperity. Among the rainforests, waterfalls and mountains of Babeldaob, giant stones, the foundations of vast Bais (Palauan men`s houses) and mysterious monoliths guard the secrets of a once large and highly skilled society. Micronesia`s most abundant flora and fauna is also found on the islands of Palau. Just as exotic as the marine life below the seas, are the rare species of mammals, birds and animals that dwell in the lush vegetation above it. A $15.00 per person nature impact fee, valid for a month, has been imposed by the Palau Government, and anyone caught without it is subject to a $1,000.00 fine. This fee is paid direct to the tour operators.