Palau Liveaboards

There is a recompression chamber located in Koror that is able to provide emergency treatment for decompression illness in the unlikely event of an accident. All guests are requested to dive well within recreational dive limits and follow Dive Guides instructions. Guests must also purchase specific dive insurance before their trips (DAN or PADI).

We recommend that guests bring along any overnight essentials in their hand luggage. This ensures that in case of any unexpected luggage delays, guests will at least have the essentials on hand making any delay far more bearable.

The Republic of Palau have released an Executive Order to protect their citizens from an outbreak of Coronavirus. A temporary restriction is in place banning entry of visitors of any nationality who have been to China, Hong Kong and Macau in the past 14 days (including transit via these regions)

Please do let us know if you will be affected by this and bear these restrictions in mind when making your travel arrangements.

We are following all governmental advice & guidelines from each destination we operate in. As always, our crew will be respecting good hygiene and we are following recommendations from the WHO on prevention of transmission. The full link can be found here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Measures taken will also be included in your initial briefing onboard. We also encourage guests to frequently clean and disinfect regulator mouthpieces and masks and to avoid sharing of these unless there is an emergency.

Visa Information

Visas are not required for some nationalities visiting Palau for periods of up to 30 days. To find out if you need a visa to enter Palau, please visit the Palau embassy/consulate website at: www.passportsandvisas.com/embassy-consulate/palau

Extensions of stay are not automatically granted. Contact details are (+680) 488 2498 or 2678 (Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm); email imm@palaunet.com

Transit Via Guam and Hawaii – ESTA or Visas

You will likely need to apply for an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program or acquire a USA visa.

IMPORTANT: From 1 April 2016, all travellers wishing to enter the US under the VWP will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport).

Visa Waiver Program(VWP) will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport).

If you’re in any doubt about whether you qualify for the VWP, or if you’re concerned that an existing ESTA may have been cancelled due to the new rules, you should contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for a period of at least 6 months from the date of your arrival in Palau. Please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/palau/entry-requirements for the most up to date advice.

To support the Palau environmental protection ban on reef-toxic sunscreens, S/Y Palau Siren has non-toxic, natural sunscreen (locally made and with plastic-free packaging) available to purchase on board.

Local brand beer is free of charge and a range of other alcohol is available for purchase.

No children under the age of 16 (unless full charter) and 16 – 18 year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Dress code on board our yacht is very casual and most guests feel comfortable in little more than swim wear, shorts and t-shirts, particularly in tropical Palau. However, we ask our guests to put a t-shirt over the swimwear while seated at the dining area. Since Palau is a tropical island a rain jacket is recommended for the brief showers that sometimes pass through. For cooler nights a sweater is advised, particularly after multiple dives. While many guests prefer bare feet on board the yacht; some tours like Jellyfish Lake require hard soled sandals (like Teva’s) or cross-trainers.

All special food requirements whether allergy or simply personal preference can be catered for. Please inform us prior to arrival to ensure there are plenty of dishes to suit your needs.

The following equipment is for rental at an extra charge of €5 per day.
– Underwater torch
– Dive computer*
* Please note that the use of a dive computer is compulsory.

The following equipment is available free of charge:
– 12Ltr cylinders (15Ltr cylinder by special request, depending on availability)
– Weight belt and weights
– BCD – not weight-integrated
– Regulator – complete with alternate air source and depth/pressure gauge
– Wetsuits – 3mm shorty only
– Mask
– Fins – full foot or open heel and boots

For each dives a guide is offered to enhance your enjoyment. Dive guides can often point out the small critter subjects that you might otherwise miss and guided groups are organised dependent on experience and diver needs. The Cruise Directors provides a detailed briefing before every dive allowing those with more experience the option to plan your dive with your buddy and dive independently from the guides. Tenders remain out on standby keeping watch until the last divers have returned.

On board the yacht there are both 220V and 110V with 2 round pin sockets (European style). Please make sure you bring a universal adapter with you if necessary. On land, Palau uses 110V with the US style 2 pin outlets.

The S/Y Palau Siren is equipped with a thorough first aid kit and equipment for emergency oxygen administration. They yacht also is equipped with VHF radio and cell phone to maintain contact with the Sam’s Tours (local operator). Yacht staff are trained Emergency First Responders able to handle all boat and diving emergencies. There is a recompression chamber located in Koror that is able to provide emergency treatment for decompression illness in the unlikely event of an accident. All guests are requested to dive well within recreational dive limits and follow Dive Guides instructions. Guests must also purchase specific dive insurance before their trips (DAN or PADI).

As data roaming is not available in Palau, we provide an internet connection on board via satellite which can be used by your WIFI devices. WIFI packages can be purchased on board but you can also organise and pre-pay for these in advance. You will need to visit the following link and ask your travel consultant for your trip code.

Optional Extras 
Any extra costs you may have on board must be paid in cash. Although other currencies will be accepted on board, the banking restrictions make exchange rates unfavourable and it is therefore highly recommended that guests bring USD for use on board. Unfortunately credit card payments are not currently accepted. ATMs are available in Koror; however, it is best to bring extra cash in case there is an issue with cash withdrawal or exchanging money. In addition to park and port fees, guests are advised to bring between €200-300 for any incidental expenses such as massage, wine, cocktails, laundry, dive course, torch or computer rental.

Tipping 
Tipping is a matter of personal choice. You may wish to leave a tip if you feel the crew has made your holiday extra special. Tips are divided equally amongst all the crew including dive guides.

– Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of exit from into Palau and ticket departing Palau within VISA allowance.
– Airport terminal fee ($35) in cash. There is an ATM at the airport.
– Marine park and port fees (€170) in cash to pay on board (currencies accepted on board are EUR, GBP, USD and THB)
– Approx 200-300EUR in cash spending money for optional extras on board and tips (Currencies accepted on board are GBP, EUR and USD.
– All toiletries/medications
– Sunscreen
– Insect repellent
– Hat/sunglasses
– Light coloured/light weight top for bright afternoons or breezy evenings – 3mm long or shorty wetsuit (most guests are find this suitable). If you feel the cold easily you may want to bring a 5mm, however average water temperatures in Palau are 27°C year round and so it’s pretty tropical. Rental suits are 3mm shorty only.
– Dive certification card and log book
– Proof of diving insurance which covers emergency evacuation and recompression chamber costs
– Proof of travel insurance. Travel insurance is a vital aspect to booking a holiday, giving you protection against unforeseen circumstances that could otherwise spoil your holiday. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that properly covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking.

Smoking on board is only permitted in designated (outdoor) areas.

Meals on board range from mild local dishes to Western cuisine. There is a variety of fresh fruit available at all times and all dishes are served with the freshest vegetables and highest quality seafood and meats available. There is always a range of dishes served at each meal time to ensure that all guests are satisfied and full! Guests may help themselves throughout the day and night to a variety of soft drinks, purified water, juices, teas and fresh brewed coffee. Rehydration/ mineral salts are available free of charge and recommended to all divers.

S/Y Palau Siren offers special features for underwater photographers and videographers including:
– Each cabin is fitted with an individual computer and multiple power sources for editing and charging needs. The computer features a 20″ high definition flat screen which is integrated with the yacht’s network server in the saloon.
– Work stations for the preparation and maintenance of cameras including prep and storage areas.
– Large rinsing tanks with fresh water changed frequently.

The warm tropical waters of Palau average a pleasant 27°C throughout the year. Most guests find that a 3mm wetsuit or shorty is suitable and many dive with just a skin. For guests who tend to get cold easily, especially after repetitive dives, we recommend bringing whatever you feel most comfortable in.

With effect from 1st January 2020, all sunscreens which contain ingredients that are toxic to reefs will be banned in Palau. It will be illegal for local retailers to sell, and for visitors to bring, products containing containoxybenzone, octylmethoxycinnamate, octocrylene, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor, triclosan, methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, butyl paraben, benzyl paraben, phenoxythanol, or other prohibited chemical ingredients. Any travellers carrying reef-toxic sunscreen will have it confiscated upon entry into the Republic of Palau.

Palau is 7 degrees north of the equator and enjoys a warm tropical climate year round. Temperatures average 27°C, while water temperatures average a pleasant 27°C as well. As a tropical island Palau is subject to rainfall throughout the year though more frequently between July and October. Diving, however, is excellent year around with high season considered to be November through May.

The US Dollar is the official currency of Palau. The majority of established hotels, shops and restaurants accept major credit cards or travellers checks. Occasionally smaller, family-run business will only accept cash. There are several US operated banks and plenty of ATMs so cash is readily accessible.

On board S/Y Palau Siren there are both 220V and 110V with 2 round pin sockets (European style). Please make sure you take a universal adapter with you if necessary. On land, Palau uses 110V with the US style 2 pin outlets.

Approximate flight duration from London, UK to Melekeok, Palau is approximately 16 hours.

Current studies show that you should wait at least 24 hours after multiple repetitive dives before you fly. Please have this in mind before you book your onwards international or domestic flights.

Health care is readily available in Palau. The Belau National Hospital is a professionally staffed hospital with an experienced barotraumas team. It is situated in the capital city of Koror along with several other private health clinics. To prevent stomach ailments we recommend travellers follow normal precautions with food and drink bottled water only. Please consult your doctor or nearest health care professional for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. Visitors arriving from countries which are affected by Cholera or Yellow Fever must show proof of immunization upon arrival.

Palauan and English are the official languages of the Republic of Palau and both are widely spoken. Tagalog, Japanese and Mandarin are also quite common. The population is predominantly Christian – with 70% following either the Roman Catholic or Protestant faiths. Modekngei is a mix of Christianity and ancient Palauan customs practiced by around 10% of the population. Islam and Judaism are also found in Palau.

All travellers must be in possession of a passport that is valid at least for six months from the date of departure and a return airline ticket. Citizens of the United States are granted a 1 year visa upon arrival while passport holders of most other western countries obtain a 30 day tourist visa upon arrival. For non U.S. citizens intending to stay longer than 30 days, you may obtain two 30 day extensions for a total of 90 days. Applications for an extension must be approved at least 7 days prior to visa expiry and there is a charge of $50 for each 30 day extension. For visa updates please visit the Palau Visitors Authority website – http://www.visit-palau.com/

When booking a trip to Palau, it is possible that you will travel via Guam, which is a US Island Territory. It is essential to ensure that you are able to obtain a US visa, or ESTA through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for transit through the US and its territories.

From 1st April 2016, all travellers wishing to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport). British passports issued since October 2006 are ePassports and carry the internationally recognised symbol on the front cover.

You must also have proof of onward/return passage. For more information about the US Visa Waiver Program and to apply for an ESTA please visit https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

If your country is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, or you are unable to obtain an ESTA for other reasons, you will need to apply for a visa with the USA embassy in your country of residence. ***Please be informed that this process can be lengthy***

Please not that UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are not valid for entry into the United States, or transit through the United States and its territories under the Visa Waiver Program; if you are planning to enter or transit through the US using an ETD you must apply for a visa from the nearest US embassy or consulate before you travel, or hold a valid lawful permanent resident card (often referred to as a ‘green card’), which you must have with you on arrival; you can leave the US using an ETD that has been issued in the United States.

Telephone: The mobile phone coverage in Palau is with AT&T which is not compatible with most international mobile phone system and if it is, is very expensive. To use your mobile phone in Palau we would therefore advise you to purchase a Palau sim card which should work fine in your phone as long as it is unlocked. The country code is +680 or 00680. To call the UK from Palau, dial +44 or 0044 and remove the first 0 from the area code of the number you are calling.

The local time is 9 hours ahead of UTC (GMT).