The six-member attentive crew ensures the comfort and satisfaction of every guest. The MV Palau Aggressor II features nine well-appointed cabins, each equipped with a private bathroom, storage space, and air conditioning, accommodating up to 18 guests. Guests are treated to a diverse selection of international and local cuisine.
Additionally, soft drinks, iced tea, beer, and wine are available. For relaxation, guests can unwind in the air-conditioned lounge or on the sun deck, which offers lounge chairs, a bar area, and a sound system for added comfort.
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The MV Palau Aggressor II is a 32-meter luxury liveaboard offering year-round diving cruises in Palau’s waters. Divers on board have the chance to explore impressive World War II wrecks, breathtaking drop-offs, and fascinating "Blue Holes."
Up to five thrilling dives per day, along with a weekly night dive, are part of the itinerary. All dives are conducted from a spacious and well-equipped skiff.
Palau
is a year-round destination with something to offer in every season. While the Channel hosts many manta rays, guests can see up to 20 to 30 rays during the mating season from December to March! In February and March, large schools of Moorish idols, unicornfish, and various species of butterflyfish can be seen. Throughout the year, the boat crew encounters massive bait balls of scad in and around Ulong and German Channel, as well as at the reefs of Blue Corner and Siaes Corner.
The Palau Aggressor II and Rock Islands Aggressor are now taking guests back to Jellyfish Lake. We will attempt to visit it weekly, weather permitting.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Guests arriving at Koror International Airport (ROR) on Sunday evening are greeted by a uniformed crew member or a Neco Tourism agent. There are no phones or taxis at the small airport, so we assist with transfers to the yacht. If you are already on the island, you may board on Sunday at 4:30 PM. Guests may board until Monday morning when the boat departs the dock at 6:00 AM. The boat remains at the Neco Marine (Malakai) dock in Palau.
Day 2 - 7: Eat, sleep, and dive at Palau’s amazing sites! After days of diving, the boat returns to the dock on Saturday afternoon after lunch.
Day 8: Check-out is on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM. The crew is happy to assist with transport arrangements to the airport or a local hotel if you are extending your stay.
Top Dive Sites -
Palau:Big Drop-Off: A wall dive that starts as shallow as 2 feet at low tide and drops to 600 feet. It is considered the most beautiful wall dive in Palau, featuring an abundance of hard and soft corals, sea fans, schools of pyramid butterflyfish, and a variety of tropical reef fish.
Blue Corner:
The most famous and highly rated dive site in Micronesia, featuring a shallow coral shelf that juts into the ocean with vertical walls on both sides. Current-induced upwellings attract schools of fish and large pelagic species to the upper edges of the walls. This dive is especially known for its schools of gray reef sharks cruising along the edge. Two resident Napoleon wrasse often accompany divers. Dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, manta rays, whitetip and hammerhead sharks, turtles, barracuda schools, and swarms of reef fish populate this site.
Blue Holes:
A series of four large holes at the top of the reef that merge into a giant underwater chamber. The chamber has a huge opening at one wall, home to soft corals, sea fans, sea whips, and hard corals. Large pelagic species frequently spotted here include tuna, jacks, gray and whitetip reef sharks, barracudas, and eagle rays. Groupers, Napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, Moorish idols, butterflyfish, anemones, and turtles are also common at this site, located next to Blue Corner.
Chandelier Caves:
A short swim through a tunnel at a depth of 35 feet opens into a cave with three chambers. Beautiful stalactites, formed by water dripping through the limestone island above, hang from the ceiling, giving the caves their name. Small holes to the outside world allow fresh air into the chambers, so divers can surface and admire the beautiful surroundings.
Denges Passage:
This natural channel on Palau’s east coast is home to a resident family of cuttlefish. These unusual creatures, related to squid, are as rare as they are photogenic. They are not often encountered by divers due to their limited habitat range, their ability to remain motionless, and their excellent camouflage.
German Channel:
This man-made channel through the southwest barrier reef hosts two dive areas. One site, known as Manta Rock, is a natural cleaning station where giant manta rays have their bodies cleaned by cleaner wrasse, removing parasites and debris. Gray reef sharks also take advantage of the wrasses’ services. The area is also home to barracudas, snappers, titan triggerfish, gobies, lionfish, leaf scorpionfish, and an octopus. Nearby, a coral garden features crocodilefish, nudibranchs, flatworms, anemones, and clownfish.
New Drop-Off:
Situated between Blue Corner and Big Drop-Off, this vertical wall resembles Blue Corner with a shallow shelf that juts into the ocean, capturing currents and creating an upwelling that attracts schools of pyramid butterflyfish, barracudas, and gray reef sharks. The steep wall is covered with soft corals and sea fans.
Ngedebus Coral Gardens:
This dive offers one of the best collections of hard corals in the Pacific, featuring a spur-and-groove reef structure that is home to turtles, cuttlefish, anemones, giant clams, whitetip reef sharks, and thousands of schooling fish.Ngerchong: Just beyond Denges Passage, Ngerchong Island has two nearby dive sites:
Ngerchong
Outside and Ngerchong Coral Gardens. Ngerchong Outside is a sloping wall dive with sea fans, anemones, soft corals, and many hard coral formations. Sharks, bumphead parrotfish, and schooling fish are frequently seen, with the occasional manta ray sighting. Ngerchong Coral Gardens, also known as Ngerchong Inside, is considered the best dive in Palau for viewing a rich variety of hard corals, including table corals, staghorn corals, elkhorn corals, mushroom corals, and brain corals. Anemones with clownfish thrive here, along with cuttlefish, turtles, and other fish. This dive can be enjoyed at depths between 10 and 80 feet.
Peleliu:
The island of Peleliu, at the southern tip of Palau’s main archipelago, is bordered by magnificent walls. Dive sites include Peleliu Corner, Yellow Wall, and Orange Beach. Peleliu’s dive sites are primarily steep walls covered with sea fans, sea whips, hard corals, and anemones, dominated by soft corals. It is an excellent location for spotting large pelagic species, especially sharks.
Iro Maru Wreck:
A 145-foot-long merchant vessel sunk by American bombers during World War II. Three masts and gun turrets at the bow and stern are home to a variety of invertebrates and hard corals. The main deck sits at a depth of 80 feet with open cargo holds containing oil drums and machinery.
Diving Details:
- Known for gray reef sharks, whitetip sharks, manta rays, cuttlefish, mandarin fish, and WWII wrecks.
- All dives are conducted from a large 35-foot tender boat.
Water Temperature:
- 80 - 82°F / 27 - 28°C
- 3mm wetsuit recommended
Dive Tender:
- The dive boat is 35 feet long and accommodates 18 divers.
- 4 - 5 dives per day are conducted from the tender.
- Two land excursions are offered during the week to Peleliu Tour and Ulong Beach.
Sample routes and maps are for illustration purposes only. The exact route and visited sites may vary based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics at the captain’s discretion.
Guests arriving at Koror International Airport (ROR) on Sunday evening are greeted by a uniformed staff member or a Neco Tourism agent and transferred to the Palau Aggressor II or Rock Islands Aggressor. There are no phones or taxis at the small airport, so reservations must be made in advance.
1. Badrulchau Stone Monoliths Located on Babeldaob Island, the mysterious Badrulchau Stone Monoliths are a collection of over 30 basalt stones, believed to have been erected around 100 AD. Their exact origin and significance remain unclear, adding to their allure.
2. Ngardmau Waterfall Also situated on Babeldaob, the Ngardmau Waterfall is the highest in Micronesia. A hike through the tropical rainforest leads you to this impressive natural spectacle, inviting you for a refreshing swim.
3. Etpison Museum In Koror, the Etpison Museum offers deep insights into Palau's history and culture. Exhibits include traditional artworks, historical photographs, and artifacts documenting the island nation's rich past.
4. Belau National Museum As the oldest museum in Micronesia, the Belau National Museum in Koror presents an extensive collection of cultural and historical exhibits. A traditional Bai (meeting house) on the premises illustrates Palau's architectural traditions.
5. Airai Bai The Airai Bai is one of the oldest preserved traditional meeting houses in Palau. With its intricate carvings and paintings, it offers an authentic glimpse into the islands' cultural heritage.
6. Japanese Destroyer Wrecks For history enthusiasts, the remnants of Japanese destroyers from World War II, accessible on land, are particularly intriguing. These relics narrate Palau's strategic significance during the war.
7. Bai of Aimeliik Another impressive traditional meeting house is the Bai of Aimeliik. Although a reconstruction, it provides an authentic impression of Palauan architecture and communal culture.
8. Hiking on Babeldaob Palau's largest island, Babeldaob, offers numerous hiking trails through pristine nature, passing rivers, waterfalls, and traditional villages. These paths allow visitors to discover the island's diverse flora and fauna.
9. Traditional Handicrafts In local workshops, such as the Tebang Woodcarving Shop, visitors can experience the art of traditional woodcarving and purchase unique souvenirs. This craftsmanship is a vital part of Palauan culture.
10. Markets and Local Cuisine Visiting local markets in Koror provides an opportunity to sample fresh produce and traditional Palauan dishes. Particularly recommended are meals featuring fresh fish and seafood.
These diverse activities and attractions enable visitors to experience Palau's cultural and natural beauty beyond the renowned diving spots.
Slideshow Items
Stateroom lower deck
1 double bed + 1 single bed (floor)
Adjustable air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Max. 2 guests
Slideshow Items
Stateroom Deluxe upper deck
1 double bed + 1 single bed (floor)
Adjustable air conditioning
En-suite bathroom
Max. 2 guests
Included:
VAT, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, tea & coffee, drinking water, wine with dinner, snacks, full board (all meals), dive packages, towels for use on deck, cabin towels, complimentary toiletries.
Required Extras:
Port fees (270 USD per trip).
Optional Extras:
Travel insurance, dive insurance, tips, airport transfer (22 USD per trip), hotel transfer (5-22 USD per activity), rental equipment, Nitrox, Nitrox course, dive courses, additional dives, snorkel set.
Rental Equipment Prices
Rental equipment is available on this ship. Please indicate your needs on the booking form. Details below on what is included and the additional prices.
15L tanks 75-120 USD per trip
Regulator 60-90 USD per trip
BCD 60-90 USD per trip
Fins 50-75 USD per trip
Mask 50-75 USD per trip
Nitrox tank 100-150 USD per trip
Snorkel set 50-75 USD per trip
Flashlight 8 USD per day
Dive computer 60-90 USD per trip
Underwater camera rental 100 USD per trip
Full equipment (including: regulator, BCD, fins, mask, flashlight, dive computer) 175-260 USD per trip
Wetsuit 50-70 USD per trip
Palau
is an island nation in the western Pacific and part of the Micronesian region. It consists of over 300 islands, of which only a few are inhabited. The largest and most important islands are Babeldaob, Koror, Peleliu, and Angaur. The capital, Ngerulmud, is located on Babeldaob Island, while Koror serves as the economic and tourist hub of the country. The waters around Palau are famous for their breathtaking coral reefs, lagoons, and limestone islands, creating a stunning natural landscape.
Population and Religion:
Palau has a relatively small population of approximately 18,000 people. Most residents are ethnic Palauans, but there is also a significant community of Filipinos, Chinese, and other Asian groups. The official languages are Palauan and English, with Japanese also being spoken in some areas.
Christianity is the dominant religion in Palau, with about 45% of the population being Roman Catholic and approximately 34% being Protestant. There are also smaller communities of Buddhists, followers of indigenous religions, and other faiths.
Economic Situation:
Palau’s economy relies primarily on tourism, fishing, and international financial aid, particularly from the United States, with which it has a Compact of Free Association. The country imports most consumer goods, as local production is limited. Fishing, especially the export of tuna, is a vital industry. Additionally, Palau is one of the leading nations in environmental conservation and sustainable ecotourism.
Position in the Pacific:
Palau holds a strategically important position in the western Pacific, situated between the Philippines and Guam. The country is known for its active role in marine conservation. It has established one of the largest marine protected areas in the world and promotes sustainable fishing and environmental protection initiatives. However, due to its geographical location, Palau is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, particularly rising sea levels.
Importance of Dive Tourism:
Palau is one of the world’s best diving destinations, renowned for its breathtaking underwater environment. The region offers spectacular dive sites, including vibrant coral reefs, caves, World War II wrecks, and an extraordinary variety of marine life. Sites such as Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel, and Jellyfish Lake are world-famous and attract thousands of divers every year.
Dive tourism is crucial to Palau’s economy, providing one of the country’s largest sources of income and employment for locals as dive instructors, boat operators, hotel staff, and tour guides. The government strongly promotes sustainable tourism to protect the islands' fragile ecosystem while benefiting from its natural resources.
Palau is not only a tropical paradise with unparalleled natural beauty but also a leader in environmental conservation. Protecting marine life and promoting sustainable dive tourism are essential parts of the national identity. Visitors to Palau not only experience spectacular nature but also contribute to the preservation efforts of a small island nation striving to safeguard its unique heritage for future generations.