PALAU DOUBLE SNAPPER SPAWNING TRIP
Mantas, schooling grey sharks, and thousands of RED SNAPPER AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SAILFIN SNAPPER - may 1st to 14th, 2023
6 nights in resort, 7 nights on the ROCK ISLANDS Aggressor
double or twin occupancy: normal price $5050, NOW $4410 per person
The Location
Palau is a year round destination with something for everyone, though the feature creatures are mainly of the larger variety. All year round guests encounters massive bait balls of scad at Ulong, German Channel and on the reefs of Blue Corner and Siaes Corner. Reef manta are commonly seen, as are schools of reef sharks attracted by the scad, jacks, and barracuda. And every month, before the . full moon, the twinspot red snapper gather to spawn.
Palau is a year round destination with something for everyone, though the feature creatures are mainly of the larger variety. All year round guests encounters massive bait balls of scad at Ulong, German Channel and on the reefs of Blue Corner and Siaes Corner. Reef manta are commonly seen, as are schools of reef sharks attracted by the scad, jacks, and barracuda. And every month, before the . full moon, the twinspot red snapper gather to spawn.
TWIN-SPOT RED SNAPPER SPAWNING
Shortly before each full moon, the Twin-Spot Red Snappers gather in the early morning in their THOUSANDS. The snappers come from the surrounding areas and gather over the reef. When the tide begins to change, the fish rush to the surface and explosively release sperm and eggs. On numerous occasions you can observe large pelagic predatory fish such as bull sharks, silver tips and oceanic black tips, which see the schools of snappers as a welcome source of food.
SAILFIN SNAPPER AGGREGATION |
Sailfin Snapper are generally known to be deepwater dwellers but a few times a year these fish aggregate and spawn in shallower depths. During the months of March/April/June the massive aggregation and spawning happens in Peleliu where tens of thousands create a visual phenomenon. Please note that this dive depends on moon phase and tides which is why it needs to be planned in advance.
TRIP DETAILS
Arrival
Guests arriving at the Koror (ROR) International Airport on the 1st of May and will be transferred to the resort. The following morning you will meet and head off for a land tour, then set your gear up at the dive centre. On the 3rd and 4th you head out early for the Twin-spot snapper spawning sites. You will also dive on the 5th of May. The 6th is a free day, when you can either relax, add on some more dives, or go on one of the great tours that Palau has to offer.
On the afternoon of May 7th you will be met by a staff member in uniform or a Neco Tourist Agent and transferred to the Aggressor. There are no phones or taxis at the small airport so advance reservations must be made. Airport transfers are not included in the cost of your charter.
Transfers
The Aggressor is docked at the same location and the same third-party transfer service is used for both yachts. Drivers are paid directly when the service takes place and in USD. Transfer reservations must be made no less than 3 days prior to the charter start date.
Hotel transfers to the Yacht: Most hotel transfers to/from the yacht are $5 USD pp. The exception to this is hotels located very close to the airport which charge $25 USD pp. Hotel transfers are always scheduled using the hotel information a guest has entered into the GIS with the hotel name being sufficient. Transfers are not offered to/from local Air BnBs. The transfer pick-up time is between 4 - 5 pm. The local transfer company does their own scheduling and Aggressor is not informed so you need to be in the lobby at 4 pm. The transfer from the yacht to all hotels is at 8:00 am and the time cannot be altered.
Diving
The crew of the Aggressor, with their unique combination of talents, offers the ultimate service. While onboard, you may pick a buddy of your choice, or dive with one of the crew members. The yacht offers up to five dives per day (one on the last day) including night dives. There is ample storage space for your diving equipment in your personal locker. The boat provides 80 cubic ft. tanks, weight belts and weights. The stern and platform area is very spacious. The boarding ladders were designed for convenience to allow divers easy entries and exits. Enjoy fresh water showers on the back deck after your dives and dry off with a warm towel. All diving onboard the Palau Aggressor should be within the limits and standards of the training agency that certified you. All dives should be planned no decompression dives.
Includes
7 nights full board, 5 and a half days of diving Diving begins Monday morning and ends Saturday before lunch when the Aggressor returns to port. Monday through Friday there are four dives offered each day and a night dive on three evenings. Saturday a half-day of diving is offered. Beginner divers may find Palau's strong currents challenging.All dives are made from the 18-passenger dive skiff, which is lowered into the water by a hydraulic cradle.
Does not include
Nitrox ($100), dive equipment rental, transfers. local fees for 7 nights is $240, $150 fuel surcharge is currently applicable.
Taxes & Fees
.All fees are paid onboard at the end of the charter. Transfers are not included in the charter price.
Extended Stay
We can arrange extensions post or pre-liveaboard to resorts around Koror for more diving or some well-earned R&R.
Guests arriving at the Koror (ROR) International Airport on the 1st of May and will be transferred to the resort. The following morning you will meet and head off for a land tour, then set your gear up at the dive centre. On the 3rd and 4th you head out early for the Twin-spot snapper spawning sites. You will also dive on the 5th of May. The 6th is a free day, when you can either relax, add on some more dives, or go on one of the great tours that Palau has to offer.
On the afternoon of May 7th you will be met by a staff member in uniform or a Neco Tourist Agent and transferred to the Aggressor. There are no phones or taxis at the small airport so advance reservations must be made. Airport transfers are not included in the cost of your charter.
Transfers
The Aggressor is docked at the same location and the same third-party transfer service is used for both yachts. Drivers are paid directly when the service takes place and in USD. Transfer reservations must be made no less than 3 days prior to the charter start date.
Hotel transfers to the Yacht: Most hotel transfers to/from the yacht are $5 USD pp. The exception to this is hotels located very close to the airport which charge $25 USD pp. Hotel transfers are always scheduled using the hotel information a guest has entered into the GIS with the hotel name being sufficient. Transfers are not offered to/from local Air BnBs. The transfer pick-up time is between 4 - 5 pm. The local transfer company does their own scheduling and Aggressor is not informed so you need to be in the lobby at 4 pm. The transfer from the yacht to all hotels is at 8:00 am and the time cannot be altered.
Diving
The crew of the Aggressor, with their unique combination of talents, offers the ultimate service. While onboard, you may pick a buddy of your choice, or dive with one of the crew members. The yacht offers up to five dives per day (one on the last day) including night dives. There is ample storage space for your diving equipment in your personal locker. The boat provides 80 cubic ft. tanks, weight belts and weights. The stern and platform area is very spacious. The boarding ladders were designed for convenience to allow divers easy entries and exits. Enjoy fresh water showers on the back deck after your dives and dry off with a warm towel. All diving onboard the Palau Aggressor should be within the limits and standards of the training agency that certified you. All dives should be planned no decompression dives.
Includes
7 nights full board, 5 and a half days of diving Diving begins Monday morning and ends Saturday before lunch when the Aggressor returns to port. Monday through Friday there are four dives offered each day and a night dive on three evenings. Saturday a half-day of diving is offered. Beginner divers may find Palau's strong currents challenging.All dives are made from the 18-passenger dive skiff, which is lowered into the water by a hydraulic cradle.
Does not include
Nitrox ($100), dive equipment rental, transfers. local fees for 7 nights is $240, $150 fuel surcharge is currently applicable.
Taxes & Fees
.All fees are paid onboard at the end of the charter. Transfers are not included in the charter price.
Extended Stay
We can arrange extensions post or pre-liveaboard to resorts around Koror for more diving or some well-earned R&R.
THE ROCK ISLANDS AGGRESSOR
The Rock Island Aggressor is 106’ long with a 30 ft. beam, built and powered for comfort, safety and stability. They have a beautiful spacious salon, 50’ of sun deck with shading, chaise lounges and deck chairs, bar, grill, and a complete photo/video center. They are diesel powered, cruise at 10 knots and have 110-volt power onboard.
Comfortable accommodations for 18 guests include 9 spacious cabins, 8 deluxe which have a queen and single bunk, a private head and shower and one double cabin (#9) with a full and single bunk, private head and shower. Cabin #9 is located on the dive deck level. Each stateroom has extra storage and individual climate controls. The onboard video format is both NTSC and PAL. They have a safe aboard to store valuables such as passports, cash, credit cards or anything else you would like to store.
There is a variety of nightly entertainment, including diving, fish identification presentations, movies, games and more. If you have a favorite movie, digital presentation or a video to share, we encourage you to bring it along. The crew especially loves new releases of movies, recent magazines and books. A small library of books for exchange is maintained onboard as well as fish identification books for reference.
All meals, snacks and beverages are provided.
Food
For the first six nights, we have breakfast at Sea Passion Hotel include, other meals are for your account. On the Aggressor, the menu onboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of American feasts, barbecues and local cuisine. You will awaken to fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereals and juices. Lunches are buffet-style, featuring hot soups, homemade breads, salads and sandwiches and/or entrees. Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken with a fresh homemade dessert. Once onboard, please speak to the chef about any special needs.
Drinks
On the liveaboard, the selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a selection of local beer and wine, which are complimentary. Due to the high duty charged on liquor, we suggest you bring your special brands with you. Drinking and diving do not mix. Once you consume alcohol, you become a snorkeler until the next day.
Life on board
All staterooms are air-conditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant chef prepared dinner with tableside service are served in addition to fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (soft beverages, local beer and wine) are complimentary while onboard. The yacht is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed mid-week and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom as needed. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included.
Comfortable accommodations for 18 guests include 9 spacious cabins, 8 deluxe which have a queen and single bunk, a private head and shower and one double cabin (#9) with a full and single bunk, private head and shower. Cabin #9 is located on the dive deck level. Each stateroom has extra storage and individual climate controls. The onboard video format is both NTSC and PAL. They have a safe aboard to store valuables such as passports, cash, credit cards or anything else you would like to store.
There is a variety of nightly entertainment, including diving, fish identification presentations, movies, games and more. If you have a favorite movie, digital presentation or a video to share, we encourage you to bring it along. The crew especially loves new releases of movies, recent magazines and books. A small library of books for exchange is maintained onboard as well as fish identification books for reference.
All meals, snacks and beverages are provided.
Food
For the first six nights, we have breakfast at Sea Passion Hotel include, other meals are for your account. On the Aggressor, the menu onboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of American feasts, barbecues and local cuisine. You will awaken to fresh fruits, hot entrees, cereals and juices. Lunches are buffet-style, featuring hot soups, homemade breads, salads and sandwiches and/or entrees. Dinners are chef prepared and served each evening and include salads, vegetables, seafood, beef or chicken with a fresh homemade dessert. Once onboard, please speak to the chef about any special needs.
Drinks
On the liveaboard, the selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a selection of local beer and wine, which are complimentary. Due to the high duty charged on liquor, we suggest you bring your special brands with you. Drinking and diving do not mix. Once you consume alcohol, you become a snorkeler until the next day.
Life on board
All staterooms are air-conditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant chef prepared dinner with tableside service are served in addition to fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (soft beverages, local beer and wine) are complimentary while onboard. The yacht is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed mid-week and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom as needed. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included.
Dive Sites of Palau
Big Drop-Off
A wall dive that begins as shallow as 2' at low tide and drops to 600'. It is considered by most to be the most beautiful wall dive in Palau because of its abundance of hard and soft corals, seafans, schools of pyramid butterfly fish, and a multitude of tropical reef fish.
Blue Corner
The best known and most highly rated dive site in Micronesia features a shallow coral shelf that projects out into the ocean and has vertical walls on both sides. An upwelling created by the currents attracts schools of fish and large pelagics to the top edges of the walls. The dive is best known for its schools of gray reef sharks that cruise the edge of the wall. Two resident Napoleon wrasses often accompany the divers throughout their dive. Dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, manta rays, white tip and hammerhead sharks, turtles, schooling barracudas, and schools of reef fish populate the site.
Blue Holes
This is a series of four large holes in the top of the reef that converge to form a gigantic underwater chamber. The chamber has a huge opening on a wall that is home to soft corals, sea fans, sea whips and hard corals. Large pelagics often encountered here include tuna, jacks, gray and white tip reef sharks, barracuda and eagle rays. Grouper, Napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, Moorish idols, butterflyfish, anemones and turtles are common at this site, which is situated next to Blue Corner.
Chandelier Caves
A short swim through a tunnel at depth of 35' opens into a cave consisting of three chambers. Beautiful stalactites formed by water dripping down through the rock island above, hang from the ceilings and give the caves their name. Tiny holes to the outside wood allow fresh air to enter the chambers so that divers can surface and admire the beautiful surroundings.
Denges Passage
This natural channel, situated on Palau's eastern coast, is home to an entire family of cuttlefish. The uncommon creatures, related to the squid family, are as accommodating to photographers as they are rare. They are not often encountered by divers because of the relatively few locations in the world where they can be found, their ability to remain relatively motionless, and their excellent camouflage.
German Channel
This man-made channel through the southwest side of the barrier reef is home to two diving areas. One site, known as Manta Rock, is a natural cleaning station where giant manta rays come to have their bodies cleansed of parasites and debris by cleaner wrasses. Gray reef sharks also often avail themselves of the wrasses' services. The area is also inhabited by barracudas, snappers, titan triggerfish, gobies, lionfish, leaffish, and an octopus. Nearby is a coral garden that features crocodile fish, nudibranchs, flatworms, anemones and clown fish.
New Drop-Off
Halfway between Blue Corner and Big Drop-Off, this vertical wall is similar to Blue Corner in that it is a shallow shelf that juts out into the ocean, catching the current and creating an upwelling that attracts schools of pyramid butterflyfish and barracudas, along with a number of gray reef sharks. The steep wall is covered with soft corals and seafans.
Ngedebus Coral Gardens
One of the best collections of hard corals in the Pacific, this dive features a spur and groove reef structure that supports turtles, cuttlefish, anemones, tridacna clams, white tip reef sharks, and thousands of small schooling fish.
Ngerchong
The island of Ngerchong, just beyond Denges Passage has two dive sites nearby: Ngerchong Outside and Ngerchong Coral Gardens. Ngerchong Outside is a sloping wall dive featuring sea fans, anemones, soft corals and many hard coral formations. Sharks, bumphead parrotfish, and schooling fish are frequently seen here, as well as an occasional manta ray. The Coral Gardens, also known as Ngerchong Inside, is probably the best dive in Palau for seeing an abundance and variety of hard corals. Table coral, staghorn coral, elkhorn coral, mushroom coral and brain coral are just some of the varieties of corals found here. In addition, many anemones with clownfish, along with cuttlefish, turtles and other fish thrive here. This dive can be enjoyed at any depth between 10' and 80'.
Peleliu
The island of Peleliu, at the southern tip of the main archipelago of Palau, is bordered by magnificent walls. The dive sites include Peleliu Corner, Yellow Wall, and Orange Beach, among others. Peleliu dive sites are mainly steep walls covered with sea fans, sea whips, hard corals and anemones, but dominated by soft corals. Peleliu is an excellent place to observe large pelagic life, particularly sharks.
Short Drop-Off
A sloping wall just outside the entrance to Koror Harbor that is covered with giant seafans. The top of the wall is a beautiful coral garden loaded with tropical fish and invertebrates.
Siaes Tunnel
An extraordinary deep dive on the west side of the Palau, close to the Ulong Channel. The dive begins on a sheer wall with the opening of the tunnel starting at 70'. You enter through an opening, which is about 50' across and 20' high, and swim through the tunnel, which parallels the wall for 150'. The inside of the tunnel is a large cavern with a ceiling at 80-90' and the floor at 120-130'. Halfway through the tunnel is a "Window" in the wall that looks out onto the deep blue. You exit through a large opening on the wall at 80'. Stingrays, turtles, schools of jacks, and sharks can be seen in and around the tunnel.
Ulong Channel
This channel is located on the west side of Palau, close to Siaes Tunnel and Wall. Its entrance is surrounded by walls that are topped by beautiful coral gardens. On the incoming tide, the mouth of the channel is filled with gray reef sharks. The channel extends for a distance of approximately one-half mile, averaging 100' in width. The maximum depth is about 60'. Coral covered walls run the length of the channel on either side. A shallow ridge running the center of the channel is blanketed with soft corals, hard corals, sea fans, and anemones. Unique to this site is a huge patch of plate coral resembling lettuce leaves that is home to schools of squirrelfish, soldierfish and glasseyes. The current provides a gentle push, resulting in a beautiful, leisurely ride along the channel. The bumphead parrotfish spawning site is near here.
Wonder Channel
Located within the rock islands just a short distance from Jellyfish Lake and Clam City, this channel is best dived on the east side along a wall that starts at the surface and reaches a depth of 80'. Soft corals, sea fans, anemones, blue and red starfish, crown of thorns star-fish, crabs, pipefish, and a large variety of sea slugs, flat worms and nudibranchs can be found along this wall.
Wreck of the Iro Maru
A 145' long merchant ship sunk during World War II by American bombers, the Iro Maru sits upright in 120' of water just 10 minutes south of Koror. Three mast and gun turrets at the bow and stern support a large variety of invertebrates and hard corals. The main deck is at a depth of 80 with open holds containing oil drums and machinery.
Big Drop-Off
A wall dive that begins as shallow as 2' at low tide and drops to 600'. It is considered by most to be the most beautiful wall dive in Palau because of its abundance of hard and soft corals, seafans, schools of pyramid butterfly fish, and a multitude of tropical reef fish.
Blue Corner
The best known and most highly rated dive site in Micronesia features a shallow coral shelf that projects out into the ocean and has vertical walls on both sides. An upwelling created by the currents attracts schools of fish and large pelagics to the top edges of the walls. The dive is best known for its schools of gray reef sharks that cruise the edge of the wall. Two resident Napoleon wrasses often accompany the divers throughout their dive. Dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, manta rays, white tip and hammerhead sharks, turtles, schooling barracudas, and schools of reef fish populate the site.
Blue Holes
This is a series of four large holes in the top of the reef that converge to form a gigantic underwater chamber. The chamber has a huge opening on a wall that is home to soft corals, sea fans, sea whips and hard corals. Large pelagics often encountered here include tuna, jacks, gray and white tip reef sharks, barracuda and eagle rays. Grouper, Napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, Moorish idols, butterflyfish, anemones and turtles are common at this site, which is situated next to Blue Corner.
Chandelier Caves
A short swim through a tunnel at depth of 35' opens into a cave consisting of three chambers. Beautiful stalactites formed by water dripping down through the rock island above, hang from the ceilings and give the caves their name. Tiny holes to the outside wood allow fresh air to enter the chambers so that divers can surface and admire the beautiful surroundings.
Denges Passage
This natural channel, situated on Palau's eastern coast, is home to an entire family of cuttlefish. The uncommon creatures, related to the squid family, are as accommodating to photographers as they are rare. They are not often encountered by divers because of the relatively few locations in the world where they can be found, their ability to remain relatively motionless, and their excellent camouflage.
German Channel
This man-made channel through the southwest side of the barrier reef is home to two diving areas. One site, known as Manta Rock, is a natural cleaning station where giant manta rays come to have their bodies cleansed of parasites and debris by cleaner wrasses. Gray reef sharks also often avail themselves of the wrasses' services. The area is also inhabited by barracudas, snappers, titan triggerfish, gobies, lionfish, leaffish, and an octopus. Nearby is a coral garden that features crocodile fish, nudibranchs, flatworms, anemones and clown fish.
New Drop-Off
Halfway between Blue Corner and Big Drop-Off, this vertical wall is similar to Blue Corner in that it is a shallow shelf that juts out into the ocean, catching the current and creating an upwelling that attracts schools of pyramid butterflyfish and barracudas, along with a number of gray reef sharks. The steep wall is covered with soft corals and seafans.
Ngedebus Coral Gardens
One of the best collections of hard corals in the Pacific, this dive features a spur and groove reef structure that supports turtles, cuttlefish, anemones, tridacna clams, white tip reef sharks, and thousands of small schooling fish.
Ngerchong
The island of Ngerchong, just beyond Denges Passage has two dive sites nearby: Ngerchong Outside and Ngerchong Coral Gardens. Ngerchong Outside is a sloping wall dive featuring sea fans, anemones, soft corals and many hard coral formations. Sharks, bumphead parrotfish, and schooling fish are frequently seen here, as well as an occasional manta ray. The Coral Gardens, also known as Ngerchong Inside, is probably the best dive in Palau for seeing an abundance and variety of hard corals. Table coral, staghorn coral, elkhorn coral, mushroom coral and brain coral are just some of the varieties of corals found here. In addition, many anemones with clownfish, along with cuttlefish, turtles and other fish thrive here. This dive can be enjoyed at any depth between 10' and 80'.
Peleliu
The island of Peleliu, at the southern tip of the main archipelago of Palau, is bordered by magnificent walls. The dive sites include Peleliu Corner, Yellow Wall, and Orange Beach, among others. Peleliu dive sites are mainly steep walls covered with sea fans, sea whips, hard corals and anemones, but dominated by soft corals. Peleliu is an excellent place to observe large pelagic life, particularly sharks.
Short Drop-Off
A sloping wall just outside the entrance to Koror Harbor that is covered with giant seafans. The top of the wall is a beautiful coral garden loaded with tropical fish and invertebrates.
Siaes Tunnel
An extraordinary deep dive on the west side of the Palau, close to the Ulong Channel. The dive begins on a sheer wall with the opening of the tunnel starting at 70'. You enter through an opening, which is about 50' across and 20' high, and swim through the tunnel, which parallels the wall for 150'. The inside of the tunnel is a large cavern with a ceiling at 80-90' and the floor at 120-130'. Halfway through the tunnel is a "Window" in the wall that looks out onto the deep blue. You exit through a large opening on the wall at 80'. Stingrays, turtles, schools of jacks, and sharks can be seen in and around the tunnel.
Ulong Channel
This channel is located on the west side of Palau, close to Siaes Tunnel and Wall. Its entrance is surrounded by walls that are topped by beautiful coral gardens. On the incoming tide, the mouth of the channel is filled with gray reef sharks. The channel extends for a distance of approximately one-half mile, averaging 100' in width. The maximum depth is about 60'. Coral covered walls run the length of the channel on either side. A shallow ridge running the center of the channel is blanketed with soft corals, hard corals, sea fans, and anemones. Unique to this site is a huge patch of plate coral resembling lettuce leaves that is home to schools of squirrelfish, soldierfish and glasseyes. The current provides a gentle push, resulting in a beautiful, leisurely ride along the channel. The bumphead parrotfish spawning site is near here.
Wonder Channel
Located within the rock islands just a short distance from Jellyfish Lake and Clam City, this channel is best dived on the east side along a wall that starts at the surface and reaches a depth of 80'. Soft corals, sea fans, anemones, blue and red starfish, crown of thorns star-fish, crabs, pipefish, and a large variety of sea slugs, flat worms and nudibranchs can be found along this wall.
Wreck of the Iro Maru
A 145' long merchant ship sunk during World War II by American bombers, the Iro Maru sits upright in 120' of water just 10 minutes south of Koror. Three mast and gun turrets at the bow and stern support a large variety of invertebrates and hard corals. The main deck is at a depth of 80 with open holds containing oil drums and machinery.
