Palau January 13-21, 2018!

Ever since I returned from wildly fun and successful group trips in Palau in 2015, I’ve been dreaming of going back. I’ve also heard from you it’s top on your list of places to go. So…..here it is…Palau 2018!

Palau is a rare oasis, a self-contained, isolated archipelago thriving with biodiversity located 900 miles southwest of Guam and 400 miles south of Yap, at the westernmost edge of Micronesia. It is surrounded by warm, tropical water with spectacular reefs, walls and shallow wrecks, making Palau a snorkeler’s paradise. With over 1500 species of fish and 700 corals and anemones, Palau is an epicenter of biodiversity
Palau is spectacular both above and below the waterline. The iconic Rock Islands are a the backdrop for our snorkeling adventure. The dramatic mushroom-shaped limestone formations are covered in rain forest foliage.

December through March are the ideal months to visit. It’s mating season for Mantas and a great time to encounter schools of jacks, snappers, parrot fish, butterfly fish, moorish idols unicorn fish. Turtles, sharks, giant napoleon wrasses, eagle rays and barracuda are often seen as well. Palau also offers some very unique sightings. You’ll check out Clam City, home to giant clams and Mandarin Fish Lake, located in a breath taking location in the rock islands. Mandarin Fish are gorgeous, intricately patterned fish in the dragonet family. Jellyfish Lake is another unique ecosystem in Palau. Due to drought conditions the lake is currently closed but hopefully by January 2018, it will reopen.
Expect day time temps to be around 86F and water temp to be between 80-82F. A full body rash guard plus a 3mm shorty wetsuit would be ideal.

ITINERARY:
Sat. January 13  Arrive Palau and transfer to our group hotel. Evening at leisure.
Sun. January 14  We’ll board the Rock Island Aggressor live-aboard at 4:00pm. The Rock Island Aggressor is a steel hull catamaran that measures 106 ft. long with a 30 ft. beam. One big advantage of our live-aboard is her shallow draft. Our boat can cruise through the German channel while other boats must take a longer route around. The Rock Island holds 18 passengers. All cabins have air conditioning, private toilets, showers, sinks, towels and hair dryers. Meals include breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and chef prepared meals at dinner, and fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks.
Snorkels are made from 18-passenger dive skiff, which is lowered into the water by a hydraulic cradle. How nifty is that!

January 14-20   Our snorkel adventure will include exploring the inner and outer reefs of Palau. Our day to day itinerary will be weather and tide dependent and may include Ulong Channel, German Channel, Blue Corner, Ngemelis Reef, Mandarin Fish Lake and Jelly Fish Lake. During our time in the water we’ll experience a range of underwater habitats including shallow reefs, walls, wrecks and exciting channels where we may encounter pelagics.
Sat. January 20  The Rock Island Aggressor returns to Koror in the afternoon. That evening we are free to explore dining options in Koror off the boat.

Sun. January 21  After breakfast disembark the Rock Island Aggressor by 8:00am.
***Please note, most flights leave Palau after midnight. You may choose to fly home late night on the 20th since we’ll be in port that evening. Otherwise you may want to consider booking a hotel for the 21st***.

PRICING:
$4285.00 per person based on double occupancy in a Deluxe cabin. Sold out
Deluxe cabins are approx. 12′ x 8’5″ feet and have a lower queen bed and an upper single bed.

$3985.00 per person based on double occupancy in the Double Cabin. Sold out
$6825.00 for single occupancy in the Double cabin.
This cabin is smaller cabin located on the dive deck. The cabin is 12’6″ x 6’9″ feet.
There is a lower and upper double bed

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Airport transfers on group arrival and departure day only.
• One night at group hotel
• 7 nights aboard the Rock Island Aggressor including snorkel excursions and all meals (except for the night of Jan. 20)
• Port fee of $210.00

PRICE EXCLUDES:

• International Airfare
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Gratuities
• $55.00 “Green Fee” payable at the airport upon departure.

I hope you can join me on this fun snorkel adventure. Contact me with any questions or for an application. Wendy@SnorkelingEtc.com. 831 254-5001