Experience the most beautiful form of a diving holiday in the premium class. The Solitude Gaia is the new benchmark in the luxury class, diving with 5*****
Depending on the programme, a tour lasts 8, 11 or 12 days.
The dives take you to spectacular regions such as Malakal Bay, Ulong Island and the waters around Peleliu and Ngemelis Island.
Discover historic wrecks, colourful coral gardens and breathtaking underwater landscapes.
Unforgettable excursions such as a visit to Jellyfish Lake and Milky Way Lagoon round off the experience.
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The Solitude Gaia is a 40 metre long liveaboard in Palau and offers space for 18 guests in 9 comfortably equipped cabins.
Each cabin has its own bathroom with separate shower, hot and cold water, toilet with standard flush, manual bidet spray, air conditioning, safe, bathrobes, towels, hairdryer, intercom, TV and high-quality toiletries.
The cabins are cleaned daily and bed linen is changed every three days.
Meals are served both in the elegant lounge area and on deck in the open air and consist mainly of fresh local ingredients.
Special dietary requirements such as vegetarian or vegan food can also be catered for on request and with advance notice.
For underwater photographers, the Solitude Gaia offers an excellently equipped digital workstation:
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Large rinsing tanks for cameras
Separate towels for photography equipment
Equipment and workbenches
Charging areas with universal sockets
*Sample itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation (no diving)
Embarkation begins between 17:00 and 18:00. All guests must be on board by the following morning at the latest. Airport transfers and/or transfers from local hotels are included in the price.
On arrival on board the Solitude Gaia you will be welcomed by the rest of the crew. Afterwards the orientation and registration will begin (please remember your brevets and/or logbooks!).
During registration, the permit and national park fees will also be collected. Further details and the exact amounts can be found in our "Know-Before-You-Go" document. Dinner is included.
Day 2: West Passage and surroundings (2-3 dives)
Dive sites: Devil's Playground / Satan's Corner
Today is our first day of diving. In the morning, the Solitude Gaia weighs anchor and heads north-west towards the West Passage. Today we will dive on the western edge of Palau's reef - in areas that are rarely visited by divers.
Day 3: Devilfish City and North Exploration (3-4 dives)
Dive sites: Devilfish City / exploration of the northern reefs
Today we wake up near one of the northern channels. Here we dive at Devilfish City, where there is a chance of seeing manta rays and large schools of fish. In the afternoon we continue north to explore the northern reefs.
Day 4-6: Exploring the northern reefs of Palau and Kayangel Island (3-4 dives each)
Dive sites: Tailtop / Kayangel Island / Velasco Reef / further explorations
Over the next three days we will dive in the little-visited northern areas of the Palau reef system. Sharks, lush corals, dramatic drop-offs, strong currents and huge schools of fish await us here.
Day 7-8: Ulong area + spawning dives (3-4 dives each)
Dive sites: Shark City / Siaes Corner / Siaes Tunnel / Sandy Paradise / Ulong Channel
On these two days we will do morning dives to observe a spectacular spawning event and the associated fish aggregations that take place around full or new moon. During the day we dive some of the most famous sites in Palau's Ulong area - dramatic walls, current-rich corners, channel dives and fish-rich reefs with turtles, sharks and more.
Day 9: Ngemelis area (3-4 dives)
Dive sites: Blue Corner / Blue Holes
Today we dive at Palau's most legendary sites. Steep walls full of corals and fish, numerous sharks, a picturesque cave illuminated from above and the famous strong currents of Palau await us.
Day 10: Southern Peleliu area (up to 3 dives)
(Note: All guests must have a surface interval of at least 18 hours before the flight).
Dive sites: Peleliu Corner / Peleliu Cut / Peleliu Express
On the last day of diving we enjoy the famous dive sites in the south of Peleliu: impressive walls, strong currents, sharks and large schools of fish.
Day 11: Disembarkation & day trips (no diving)
After a hearty breakfast, you have the option of taking part in free speedboat tours to Jellyfish Lake, Milky Way Lagoon or both (note: there is an additional entrance fee for Jellyfish Lake).
Disembarkation takes place after lunch, but no later than 17:00. Late check-out is possible subject to availability and at extra cost.
(*) Itinerary description provided by the boat operator.
The last dive takes place on the penultimate day of the trip in the morning or afternoon. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after the last dive until the next flight.
Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The actual route and dive sites visited may change depending on local regulations, diving experience, weather and logistical conditions and are at the captain's discretion.
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Inside cabin
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- en-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
There are 2 cabins with two single beds or one double bed on the lower deck. Each cabin is equipped with individual air conditioning with temperature control, a safe, bathrobes, face and bath towels, a hairdryer, an intercom, a TV, a wardrobe organiser with plenty of hangers, a desk with universal sockets for electronic devices as well as shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Additional pillows and light blankets are available on request. There is a private shower (with hot and cold water) and a toilet with a standard flushing system. All bathrooms have a manual bidet shower, a separate shower and ample storage space and coat hooks.
Please note: The room tax of USD 10 per night and guest is charged separately.
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Main deck double cabins
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- en-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
Each cabin is equipped with individual air conditioning with temperature control, a safe, bathrobes, face and bath towels, a hairdryer, an intercom, a TV, a wardrobe organiser with plenty of hangers, a desk with universal sockets for electronic devices as well as shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Additional pillows and light blankets are available on request. There is a private shower (with hot and cold water) and a toilet with a standard flushing system. All bathrooms have a manual bidet shower, a separate shower and ample storage space and coat hooks.
Please note: The room tax of USD 10 per night and guest is charged separately.
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Upper deck double cabin
- 1 double bed, king-size
- En-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
This cabin is located on the upper deck and has a king-size bed and a sea view. It is equipped with individually controlled air conditioning with temperature control, a safe, bathrobes, face and bath towels, a hairdryer, an intercom, a TV, a wardrobe organiser with plenty of hangers, a desk with universal power sockets for electronic devices as well as shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Additional pillows and light blankets are available on request. There is a private bathroom with a shower (with hot and cold water) and a toilet with a standard flushing system. All private bathrooms are equipped with a manual bidet shower, a separate shower and ample storage space and bath hooks.
Note: Room tax of USD 10 per night per guest will be charged additionally.
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Master State double cabin upper deck
- 1 double or 2 single beds
- en-suite bathroom
- adjustable air conditioning
- max. 2 guests
There are 2 cabins with two single beds or a double bed on the upper deck with sea view. Each cabin is equipped with individual air conditioning with temperature control, a safe, bathrobes, face and bath towels, a hairdryer, an intercom, a TV, a wardrobe organiser with plenty of hangers, a desk with universal sockets for electronic devices, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Additional pillows and light blankets are available on request. The private bathroom has a shower (with hot and cold water) and a toilet with a conventional flushing system. All private bathrooms are equipped with a manual bidet shower, a separate shower and ample shelving and hooks for bathrobes.
Please note: A room tax of USD 10 per night per guest will be charged.
Included: VAT, harbour dues, airport transfers, hotel transfers, soft drinks, tea & coffee, drinking water, snacks, beach barbecue, full board (all meals), night dives, dive packages, kayaks, towels for use on deck, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries.
Required extras: National park fees (35-250 USD).
Optional extras: alcoholic drinks, rental equipment, nitrox (20 USD per day), private dive guide (150 USD per day), shore excursions, snorkelling set, laundry/ironing service, massage.
Prices for rental equipment
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate on the booking form what you need. Details below of what is included and the additional prices.
- 15 litre tanks10USD per day
- Regulator10USD per day
- BCD10USD per day
- Fin5USD per day
- Mask5USD per day
- Nitrox bottle20USD per day
- Signal buoyIncluded
- Torch8USD per day
- Dive computer10USD per day
- Full equipment (with: Regulator, BCD, fins, mask, snorkelling set, signal buoy, dive computer, wetsuit)40 USD per day
- Wetsuit10USD per day
- Air temperature: Stable all year round between 26.7 °C and 27.1 °C.
- Water temperature: Constantly warm between 28.2 °C and 28.5 °C, ideal for diving.
- Precipitation: Highest in June (360 mm) and July (347 mm), lowest in March (170 mm).
Palau, an island nation in the western Pacific, is one of the world's best diving destinations. The waters around Palau are famous for their incredible biodiversity, spectacular drift dives and unique underwater landscapes.
How to arrive to this Destination: Palau's international airport is Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), also known as Palau International Airport. It is located on the island of Babeldaob, about a 20-minute drive from Koror (the capital and tourist center).
From Europe: all routes via Manila. Manila - Palau, Travel time approximately 24 hours with at least two stops - it's worth it.
Highlights of the diving areas:
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Blue Corner: Palau's most famous dive site - strong currents, set hooks and enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of sharks, barracudas and big fish.
Ulong Channel: One of the best drift dives in the world - a natural channel with impressive coral gardens, sharks and huge schools of fish.
Blue Holes: Four impressive entrances to a light-flooded underwater cave - perfect for spectacular photos.
German Channel: Encounter site with manta rays and cleaning stations - an absolute must!
Peleliu: Adventurous dive sites with extreme currents, sharks, huge shoals and shore excursions steeped in history (battlefield from the Second World War).
Jellyfish Lake: Snorkelling among millions of harmless jellyfish - a unique experience on the surface of the water.
Why diving in Palau?
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Unrivalled biodiversity: over 1,400 fish species and 700 coral species.
Varied topography: drop-offs, tunnels, caves, channels and coral gardens.
Guaranteed big fish: sharks, manta rays, turtles and seasonal spawning events of gigantic schools of fish.
World-class visibility: Especially in the dry months between November and May.
Conclusion:
Palau offers varied, exciting and action-packed diving adventures - perfect for experienced divers and anyone who wants to experience the best of the Pacific.