Ever heard of the Rock Islands in Palau? Also known as Chelbacheb in the Palauan language, this stunning archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best diving spots in the world! The waters surrounding the Rock Islands are home to a rich marine biodiversity and a plethora of stunning coral reefs, drop-offs, caves, and blue holes.
If you’re planning to go diving in Palau, the Rock Islands are, without a doubt, a must-visit! To help you get started, read on to find out more!
What Makes Rock Islands Palau a Popular Diving Destination?
The Rock Islands offer some of the best underwater experiences for divers and snorkelers alike. Over 1,300 species of fish and 700 species of coral live in the waters of this archipelago, making it one of the most biodiverse marine areas on Earth.
Not only that, Palau declared its entire Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEE) as a shark sanctuary in 2009, greatly protecting the shark population in the area. This means that in addition to encountering a wide variety of marine life—such as manta rays, sea turtles, and colorful reef fish—you also have the chance to see special shark species like gray reef sharks, whitetip sharks, and even hammerheads.
What’s more, this archipelago boasts some of the healthiest and most pristine coral reefs in the world, complemented by a diverse underwater topography. The islands’ limestone formations form unique landscapes, including caves, tunnels, and drop-offs.
Which Marine Species Can You Encounter in Rock Islands?
1. Gray Reef Sharks
The gray reef sharks are one of the most common shark species in Palau, known for their sleek, streamlined body, and curious behavior. Many scuba divers are fond of these sharks because of their graceful movements and frequent sightings in large numbers.
2. Manta Rays
Encountering manta rays is on many divers’ bucket lists. Though they are enormous, manta rays are gentle-natured and curious, often gliding gracefully through the water or even approaching divers. If you’re a big fan of them, Palau is one of the best places in the world to see manta rays.
3. Napoleon Wrasse
Large and colorful, Napoleon wrasse is identified with their bright, blue-green coloration and a distinct hump on their forehead. This fish is rare and endangered, so it can be pretty hard to encounter them in the wild. However, Palau is one of the few places where you can see them regularly.
4. Whitetip Reef Shark
These docile sharks are often sighted resting on the seafloor or in caves during the day, making them a great subject for underwater photography. Whitetip reef sharks are among the most common Palau sharks, along with gray reef sharks.
5. Golden Jellyfish
The golden jellyfish is a famous aquatic creature that can be found only in the Jellyfish Lake. Unlike typical jellyfish, golden jellyfish have evolved without strong stings since they don’t have natural predators in their unique habitat. While they do have stinging cells, they’re too weak to harm humans, so you can swim or snorkel among them without worry.
6. Mandarinfish
Renowned for its vibrant, neon-like colors and mesmerizing patterns, you can easily find mandarinfish in the coral gardens around Rock Islands. For an even bigger chance of encountering them, try diving in the early evening around Chandelier Cave, you might find them doing their unique mating ritual!
7. Sea Turtles
The green and hawksbill sea turtles are commonly sighted in Rock Islands, thanks to Palau’s protected marine areas. You can find them gliding around coral reefs and seagrass beds where they feed and rest. Their gentle nature and photogenic appearance make them great for underwater photography!
When is the Best Time to Dive in Rock Islands, Palau?
The best time to dive in Palau’s Rock Islands would be during the dry season, generally lasting from October to May. However, the country also has pleasant diving conditions year-round, so you have more freedom in planning your visit.
What are the Most Famous Dive Sites in Rock Islands?
1. Blue Corner
The Blue Corner is truly one of the most beautiful dive sites in the world. It has incredible marine biodiversity, providing ample opportunities to encounter schools of jacks, grey reef sharks, and even pelagic species like eagle rays or hammerhead sharks. Its stunning coral formations provide shelter for countless reef fish and macro life.
However, the Blue Corner is also known for its strong currents. While the current brings nutrient-rich waters that attract various marine life, divers are recommended to use reef hooks to stay in place.
2. German Channel
The German Channel is a manmade passage constructed by the Germans in the early 1900s to facilitate transportation. Over time, it has transformed into one of the best dive sites in Palau. It is particularly famous for its manta ray sightings, with multiple cleaning stations that are often frequented by these gentle giants.
Aside from manta rays, the German Channel is also home to various shark species, such as the whitetip reef sharks, and sometimes tiger sharks. It also offers excellent night dive and macro dive opportunities, as tiny sea critters, like nudibranchs and ghost pipefish, thrive in its coral reefs.
3. Blue Holes
If cavern diving is your thing, then the Blue Holes is a must-visit dive site. Its main feature is an enormous underwater chamber, which stretches down to about 40 meters and connects to multiple exits. The cavern’s large size allows you to move easily and the openings allow natural light to filter in, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
What’s more, unlike most cavern diving, the Blue Holes are teeming with life. Inside its cavern, you can find macro creatures like pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and ghost pipefish, while whitetip reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse sometimes swim around its openings. The Blue Holes also lead to the Blue Corner, so you can explore these caverns first before riding the currents to the Blue Corner.
4. Ulong Channel
Famous as one of the world’s best drift dive sites, the Ulong Channel offers you a thrilling ride through mesmerizing underwater landscapes filled with coral gardens, schools of fish, and shark encounters. Aside from its exhilarating currents, this dive site has a significant grey reef shark population and you can see them swimming along the channel wall or resting in the sandy bottom.
Toward the end of the dive in Ulong Channel, you get to see one of the largest and most pristine coral cabbage fields in the world. It covers a large portion of the sandy channel floor, creating a magnificent landscape that’s also teeming with life, from damselfish, moray eels, sharks, and turtles.
5. Chandelier Cave
For an extraordinary dive experience that is unlike any other, the Chandelier Cave should be on your bucket list! This cave dive site is made up of five large chambers, four of which have air pockets at the top, allowing divers to surface inside the cave and admire the stunning stalactite formations on the cave ceiling. You can also find unique marine life, like blind cavefish, shrimps, crabs, and bats in the air pockets.
What’s more, you don’t really require specialized training to explore the Chandelier Cave, as it is relatively shallow. The channels are also short and relatively easy to navigate, with clear water offering excellent visibility. This makes the Chandelier Cave a great introduction to cave diving.
How to Plan Rock Islands Diving Adventure?
1. Pick the Best Time to Visit Palau
First thing first, make sure to research the best time to dive in Palau when planning your visit to get the best diving experience. Be sure to do proper research before setting a date.
2. Choose Your Preferred Diving Experience
Next, choose the diving experience that best suits your needs. A liveaboard lets you do multiple dives each day and visit remote dive sites. A land-based stay, on the other hand, gives you the chance to dive while also exploring the beautiful Rock Islands on your own schedule.
3. Get the Right Dive Certifications
Most dive sites in Rock Islands and Palau are suitable for Open Water divers. However, for sites with strong currents like Blue Corner and Ulong Channel, you may require Advanced Open Water certification.
4. Arrange Permits
There are some permits that you’re going to need to dive in Rock Islands, as well as other areas in Palau. First is the Rock Island Permit, which costs $50 per person and is valid for 10 days, allowing you to dive in various sites within Rock Island. If you want to snorkel or swim in the Jellyfish Lake, you’re going to need a Jellyfish Lake Permit, which costs around $100 per person.
Should I Pick Liveaboard Diving for Rock Islands and Palau?
A liveaboard is the best option if you want to make the most of your diving experience in Palau, especially if you plan to explore sites like Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, and the German Channel, which can be quite far from the shore. With liveaboards, you get to visit multiple dive sites a day, particularly ones that are remote and less crowded. Liveaboards are also a great option if you want to do night dives, which are rare on day trips. For those seeking convenience, liveaboard diving can be an ideal alternative to traditional Rock Islands Palau accommodation, combining diving and lodging in one seamless experience.
What Safety Measures Should I Take While Diving?
To ensure that you have a safe dive trip, there are several safety measures you can take, including:
- Check your gear: Inspect your diving equipment before every dive.
- Dive within limits: Stay within your training and experience level.
- Monitor air supply: Keep track of your air supply and make sure to ascend with at least 50 bar (500 psi).
- Ascend slowly: Follow a safe ascent rate and always do a 3-minute safety stop.
- Always dive with a buddy: Always dive with a friend or a buddy and make sure to stay close, establishing proper communication.
- Be mindful of the currents: Stay close to the reef and use a reef hook if you’re planning to dive in sites with strong currents.
Dive into the Rock Islands with Solitude World!
Ready to plan your underwater adventure in Palau’s Rock Island? Solitude World’s Liveaboard and Resorts will be the perfect choice for you!
Our liveaboard, Solitude Gaia, will take you on an exhilarating trip across the best and most pristine dive location in Palau. Drift through Ulong Channel alongside reef sharks, explore the eerie chambers of Chandelier Cave or float among thousands of golden jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake for a truly surreal experience.
If you’re a beginner in diving, we have PADI-certified guides onboard to assist you with safe and environmentally responsible diving practices. Once your underwater exploration is over, you can return to cozy, clean cabins and rejuvenate your energy with warm meals made by our expert chefs!
What are you waiting for? Book your next diving adventure with us here today!