Palau Advice? Dive Op, Where to Stay? Plus, 1 night in Guam!

[kyley]

MAML divers from what I remember has primarily Japanese clientele. That's okay and fine, they are a good operation.

The larger and older dive-ops like Sam's, Fish n' Fins, Neco Marine -all have a more eclectic group and mix of divers to meet from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The outdoor bar and grill at either SamsTours or Neco Marine (The Drop-Off), or at Kramer's Restaurant are my favorite informal fun places to meet other people from all over the world of diving.

Again I know you're on a budget @kyley, but the best way for land-based dive-ops and accommodations is to get lodging on Malakal (West Plaza Hotel -Malakal, Sea Passion Hotel etc); you are within walking distance to all three major dive-ops and eateries mentioned in the paragraph above. The most frustrating waste of time is waiting for van or boat pick-up/drop-off to and from your dive-ops & hotel, as well as being stuck in morning or afternoon traffic.

For example, from the Sea Passion Hotel I would walk a short 5 minutes to SamsTours first thing in the morning 730am as they're opening to check-in, leisurely set-up my dive gear on the assigned boat, analyze my Nitrox; and then eat an easy breakfast at the bar & grill as I watch the hustle & bustle rush of divers arriving by van pick-up from their hotels in downtown Koror.

Thanks Kevrumbo. I'll think about the different dive shops a bit. I haven't heard from Neco Marine yet. But for just two days of diving, MAML would save over $100 vs Sam's (plus, the snorkeling for my GF is cheap too). No, it isn't a ton of money, but I can put that towards a scenic flight...

Those are some good points on the lodging. I like the idea of GAU because it's on the water in a spot that looks good for snorkeling. The West Plaza Hotel could do - it just doesn't look as nice as the other affordable options. Thanks again!
--Kyle

 

[jbjclj]

I would contact Susan Pantle
susan.p@worldofdiving.com
She organized our 2 week trip to Palau and saved us $$$. We did stay 1 week at $$$Palau Pacific and it was great. 1 week at Sea Passions I agree with Kevrumbo that staying in the Malokal is much more convenient to all dive shops and great places to eat. Best Cheeseburger in the world at Drop Off Bar!!!! At sea passions you can snorkel right in front ( beautiful clams).

 

[kyley]

I would contact Susan Pantle
susan.p@worldofdiving.com
She organized our 2 week trip to Palau and saved us $$$. We did stay 1 week at $$$Palau Pacific and it was great. 1 week at Sea Passions I agree with Kevrumbo that staying in the Malokal is much more convenient to all dive shops and great places to eat. Best Cheeseburger in the world at Drop Off Bar!!!! At sea passions you can snorkel right in front ( beautiful clams).

That's great, thanks! I'll look into it,
--Kyle

 

[Shasta_man]

<<a liveaboard for 2 or 3 nights, but the only options I saw are really long (like 7 nights)>> Once you are on there, you'll think 7 isn't long enough.

 

[kyley]

First, thought I'd share an interesting finding about Sea Passion Hotel:
1. Their website shows availability for every day I checked from now through June, but none after June 30th. So I'm guessing they simply haven't posted their inventory for July yet.
2. For almost every date in March, sites like Hotels.com have rooms there for just $171 per night, but no availability after April 1st. So I'm guessing they don't release their inventory to third parties until the month before or something like that.
Conclusion? Maybe I can get a room there for around $171 per night if I wait until June to book it?
That's not exactly cheap, but with the nice resort, great location, and snorkeling options right there, it might be worth trying for (and booking a refundable hotel for now)...

<<a liveaboard for 2 or 3 nights, but the only options I saw are really long (like 7 nights)>> Once you are on there, you'll think 7 isn't long enough.

LOL, I know a lot of you are very pro liveaboard, and I understand that in the right situations. But a) we're only in Palau 5 nights anyway, b) I like to dive, but I want to do other things there too, and c) there's no way I could convince my non-diving GF to spend that much time on a boat with nothing really for her to do!

BTW, yeah, she probably won't love being at the hotel while I'm diving, but she'd enjoy going to museums, relaxing by the pool, etc. while I dive. Plus if I just dive 2 days, she could join me for one day (and hopefully snorkel) and just have one day on her own. Cheers,
--Kyle

 

[jbjclj]

I think some dive travel agent specialist (like Susan Pantle or many others) would have access to room availability that we do not see on Orbitz etc. My understanding was that there are so many Chinese who are flocking to Palau that they are blocking hotel rooms and it appears there is no availability

 

[Kevrumbo]

An old overview map of Koror/Arakebesang (Ngerkebesang)/Malakal from my first visit 20 years ago, showing the hotels at that time:

Sea Passion Hotel (not indicated on this map because building wasn't completed yet), is located exactly where the causeway connects to Malakal. SamsTours dive-ops is located by going northwest from the Sea Passion Hotel along the waterway, around the point, and then down to where you see that upper road end on the west side of Malakal. Palau Pacific Resort ("PPR") is on Ngerkebesang Island and listed on the map as number 5.

It's a very long hot & dusty round trip half mile hike across the bridge/causeways into and from downtown main street Koror (bring water and a rain poncho if you make that trek into town). There is a Blue Bird Shuttle Bus (roughly $10/week-pass) that starts service in the afternoon @4pm and goes 'til 11pm providing transport from/to major hotels and the restaurants in downtown Koror.

The American Diner roadside type fare restaurant is called the Rock Island Cafe, and is listed number 21 above as "Coconut Hut" (Rock Island Cafe is run by Seventh Day Adventist's, so they are closed Friday evening to Sat evening for sabbath). Kramer's Restaurant is in the vicinity of the West Plaza Malakal Hotel at number 11. Fish n' Fins dive-ops and the Ocean Hunter Liveaboards are co-located at number 24 ("Palau Int'l Reef Center").

This view is looking South: SamsTours and bar & grill is off picture to the right behind the Sea Passion Hotel and around the jungle growth coral limestone uprising you see in the background -you can walk the road or swim/kayak to get there. Neco Marine, Drop-Off bar and grill, and the Aggressor Liveaboards are across the road and a short walk up to the left. The large Hotel & Resort complex in the upper left is the Palau Royal Resort ("PRR"). West Plaza Malakal and Kramer's Restaurant (look for sign) is going further up the road and on the left.

 

[Saniflush]

I could convince my non-diving GF to spend that much time on a boat with nothing really for her to do!

May be time for a new girlfriend

 

[Kevrumbo]

May be time for a new girlfriend

 

[kyley]

An old overview map of Koror/Arakebesang (Ngerkebesang)/Malakal from my first visit 20 years ago, showing the hotels at that time:

Thanks for the lay of the land and shuttle bus info!

May be time for a new girlfriend

Funny, but I think I have a pretty good one. Maybe one day I'll get her over her fear of being underwater...
--Kyle