Travelnsj
Contributor
This year I took the long way around. I flew ANA from LAX to Tokyo spent the night then on to Guam and Palau. I have flown Continental for years starting in 2000 when they were flying the 777’s from LA to Guam. Then it was the 767’s then the 757’s to Hawaii and then 737’s. Although it was a bit longer going through Tokyo ANA is a great Airline to fly. Coming back I flew United to LA…and I missed the earthquake by a day!
Again this year I stayed at the West Plaza Malakal which is a basic hotel nothing fancy but it works and the Staff is wonderful. I met up a couple of friends including Farsidefan1-Jay who stayed at the Sea Passion and that was a definite notch or two above the WP. The grounds and rooms were very nice but if you do not want to spend the $30+ a night for the extras the WP works for me as I’d rather spend those $ at Bottom Time Bar and Grill, Kramers, Taj etc.
I dove with Sams again this year. Sams has done a lot remodeling and updating of their operation and boats over the last 3 to 4 years, now they have added a new boat called the Bullshark. Very nice boat with a total of 8 seats that hold 2 people per seat and your tanks are behind the seat. There were no more than ten guests on the boat plus a DM and Guide. One thing I have heard from people (especially new people to Sams) is how chaotic it is in the AM. I look at it with amusement….all you need to do is look at the board for the boat your on and concentrate getting setup, if you need anything ask one of the people running around. They always resolve everything and your boat generally leaves around 8:30 to 9:00 am and since I do not have any pressing appointments…Never a worry!
This year the weather was a factor, they are saying they are having more rain in the Dry season than in the Wet season. Usually February and March are exceptionally nice months. Of the 15 days I was there we had winds, rain and clouds for the majority of my trip, only 1½ days of sun and calm waters. One day we could not get out to the reefs and dove wrecks and sites like the lighthouse. Couple of the days we could only do two dives. Also I had caught a cold that went into my ears! Not fun and had to cancel one day of diving….at least that was a bad weather day!
Diving-13 dive days (planned 14 days but caught that cold which went in my ears), 84 degree water temps and 37 dives. The visibility was not the usual due to the rain and winds. Had some spectacular dives one at the New dropoff that I saw at least 50+ schooling gray reef sharks. Ulong and the German channel had the Scad, Fusiliers and other schooling baitfish herded by Sharks, Wrasse, giant Jacks etc. The Blue corner…as usual was great with a couple of juvenile eagle rays (that were not afraid of getting very close), Spanish mackerel, Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, Sharks, marbled rays, numerous wrasse and a couple of the large Napoleon Wrasse that come around to check you out when you are hooked up! Had a couple of stellar dives at the Blue Corner with a 50 minute hook up and Ulong when you get one of those days the current was perfect also saw a few mantas at the German channel, some people saw up to 5 and some did not see one….as they say timing is everything.
Tried a couple of new spots this year, Ngercheong outside and the Teshio wreck. Found Ngercheong to be excellent with corals similar to Ulong which also had turtles, lots of flame angles, tropical’s, sharks, turtles here and there etc…great dive. The Teshio wreck is one of the better wrecks in Palau cannot believe I have not done it before!
On my no dive day I went up to Babeldaob and saw the mini Washington DC. I think that money could have been spent elsewhere…LOL. The Beaches up there were magnificent! I asked Dermot and Nick at Sams if they have ever explored the diving up there and they had. But still the best dive spots are out on the reefs from Koror. Sams may in the next year or two offer trips up there but I am assured there would be a nice fuel surcharge!
Overall I had a great trip, although the weather was so-so and had an ear infection….Cannot wait until next year!!!
Again this year I stayed at the West Plaza Malakal which is a basic hotel nothing fancy but it works and the Staff is wonderful. I met up a couple of friends including Farsidefan1-Jay who stayed at the Sea Passion and that was a definite notch or two above the WP. The grounds and rooms were very nice but if you do not want to spend the $30+ a night for the extras the WP works for me as I’d rather spend those $ at Bottom Time Bar and Grill, Kramers, Taj etc.
I dove with Sams again this year. Sams has done a lot remodeling and updating of their operation and boats over the last 3 to 4 years, now they have added a new boat called the Bullshark. Very nice boat with a total of 8 seats that hold 2 people per seat and your tanks are behind the seat. There were no more than ten guests on the boat plus a DM and Guide. One thing I have heard from people (especially new people to Sams) is how chaotic it is in the AM. I look at it with amusement….all you need to do is look at the board for the boat your on and concentrate getting setup, if you need anything ask one of the people running around. They always resolve everything and your boat generally leaves around 8:30 to 9:00 am and since I do not have any pressing appointments…Never a worry!
This year the weather was a factor, they are saying they are having more rain in the Dry season than in the Wet season. Usually February and March are exceptionally nice months. Of the 15 days I was there we had winds, rain and clouds for the majority of my trip, only 1½ days of sun and calm waters. One day we could not get out to the reefs and dove wrecks and sites like the lighthouse. Couple of the days we could only do two dives. Also I had caught a cold that went into my ears! Not fun and had to cancel one day of diving….at least that was a bad weather day!
Diving-13 dive days (planned 14 days but caught that cold which went in my ears), 84 degree water temps and 37 dives. The visibility was not the usual due to the rain and winds. Had some spectacular dives one at the New dropoff that I saw at least 50+ schooling gray reef sharks. Ulong and the German channel had the Scad, Fusiliers and other schooling baitfish herded by Sharks, Wrasse, giant Jacks etc. The Blue corner…as usual was great with a couple of juvenile eagle rays (that were not afraid of getting very close), Spanish mackerel, Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, Sharks, marbled rays, numerous wrasse and a couple of the large Napoleon Wrasse that come around to check you out when you are hooked up! Had a couple of stellar dives at the Blue Corner with a 50 minute hook up and Ulong when you get one of those days the current was perfect also saw a few mantas at the German channel, some people saw up to 5 and some did not see one….as they say timing is everything.
Tried a couple of new spots this year, Ngercheong outside and the Teshio wreck. Found Ngercheong to be excellent with corals similar to Ulong which also had turtles, lots of flame angles, tropical’s, sharks, turtles here and there etc…great dive. The Teshio wreck is one of the better wrecks in Palau cannot believe I have not done it before!
On my no dive day I went up to Babeldaob and saw the mini Washington DC. I think that money could have been spent elsewhere…LOL. The Beaches up there were magnificent! I asked Dermot and Nick at Sams if they have ever explored the diving up there and they had. But still the best dive spots are out on the reefs from Koror. Sams may in the next year or two offer trips up there but I am assured there would be a nice fuel surcharge!
Overall I had a great trip, although the weather was so-so and had an ear infection….Cannot wait until next year!!!
Last edited:
. We want to see! glad you are safe, sound, and radiation free. sounds like I need to do more research in Palau, some dives sites you mentioned that I have not seen yet. Lynne says as a scientist she is comming with me for research next yr so you will meet her. Looking forward to the photos, later, Jay
