3 caverns · down to 49 m · 3 suitable for an intro team
Cave diving in Palau
- Caverns3
- Max depth49 m
- For intro teams3
- Dive centres2
Diving and fills
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Why come here
Palau is a reef and current destination with a few famous overhead dives: the chambers of Chandelier Cave in Koror harbour, the deep Siaes Tunnel and the sinkholes of the Blue Holes. Daylight is always in reach and you dive guided with local dive centres from Koror; these are not cave dives in the usual sense. Diving in the Rock Islands legally requires Koror State's Rock Islands Use Permit, which the dive centre usually arranges. Whether the Blue Holes close in June, as a 2011 bill proposed, is not confirmed: ask your dive centre if you go then.
Don't miss
- Chandelier Cave (Koror): chambers with stalactites hanging from the ceiling like chandeliers, formed when the cave was still dry.
- Siaes Tunnel (Ulong): a deep tunnel where visibility is better on the incoming tide; bottom time is short, so the dive centre advises one deep dive a day.
- Blue Holes (Palau): sinkholes in the reef with mild to moderate current, calmer than at Blue Corner.
On a rest day
- Rock Islands Southern Lagoon: Head out among the mushroom-shaped islands, beaches and marine lakes of this World Heritage site.
- Belau National Museum: The oldest continuously run museum in Micronesia, in Koror, with a traditional Palauan meeting house (bai).
- Badrulchau stone monoliths: At the northern tip of Babeldaob stand stone monoliths of unknown origin, sacred prayer grounds in traditional Palauan religion.
All 3 caverns
| Site | Max depth | Type | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Holes (Palau)Entry or dive feeBackmount · Open water / no overhead | 42 m | Backmount | Open water / no overhead |
| Chandelier Cave (Koror)Entry or dive feeBackmount · Open water / no overhead | 11 m | Backmount | Open water / no overhead |
| Siaes Tunnel (Ulong)Entry or dive feeBackmount · Open water / no overhead | 49 m | Backmount | Open water / no overhead |
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
Map
Dive centres and fill stations
2 dive centres, fill stations and instructors
Fish 'n Fins (Koror)
964 Main Street, Koror
Training: Cavern · PADI
Guided dives: Chandelier Cave (Koror), Siaes Tunnel (Ulong), Blue Holes (Palau)
PADI 5 Star IDC centre in Koror. Runs the PADI Cavern Diver course (four dives, including Chandelier Cave and Siaes Tunnel; a primary light, backup light and reel needed). In Chandelier Cave divers may only enter the first three chambers.
Palau Dive Adventures (Koror)
Koror
Guided dives: Chandelier Cave (Koror)
Dive centre close to Chandelier Cave, by its own account 'right around the corner' from the shop. The page on the cave dates from 2014: ask about the current rules.
Order: partners first, clearly marked as partner; then dive centres by distance from Koror and independent instructors by name. Not a recommendation: check what they offer yourself.
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Find a place near Koror
Villages that work well as a base for the caves in this region. Find a place for your team:
- KororBooking.com ↗
The links to Booking.com are affiliate links: if you book through one, DiveTripPlanner earns a small commission. You pay the same.
Practical info: rules, fills and emergency numbers
Emergencies
- 911. Chamber at Belau National Hospital in Koror; in 2012 it lacked a full team for a while: have your dive centre or DAN (+1 919 684 9111) check that it works.
Access and rules
- Permit: diving in the Rock Islands needs Koror State's Rock Islands Use Permit by law; according to dive centres and resorts USD 50 for 10 days (Peleliu has its own permit). The dive centre usually arranges it.
Closed or restricted
- Closure: a 2011 bill wanted to close Blue Corner and the Blue Holes every June; whether that applies now is not confirmed. Ask your dive centre if you go in June.
Gas and fills
- Gas: air at all centres; nitrox, trimix or CCR support not confirmed on their websites: ask.
Getting around
- Travel: Palau International airport (ROR) on Babeldaob, linked to Koror by a bridge. On arrival you pay the Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee of USD 100 (usually already in the airline ticket).
Good to know
- Read this first: Palau is a reef and current destination with a few famous overhead dives: the chambers of Chandelier Cave in Koror harbour, the deep Siaes Tunnel and the sinkholes of the Blue Holes. All with daylight in reach and guided by local dive centres; no cave dives in the usual sense.
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