| PALAU
Located midway between Guam and the Philippines, the Republic of Belau (the
traditional name) is
comprised of 343 islands and islets. The Palau archipelago consists of
the high islands of Babeldaob, Koror, Peleliu and Angaur in the south, the
low coral atolls of Kanyangel to the north east and Ngeruangel and the
limestone rock islands of which there are more than 200. With the
exception of Kayangel, Ngeruangel and Angaur all islands are inside a single
barrier reef. Only eight of the islands are inhabited.
Palau is one of the most extraordinary diving spots on the planet. The
famous "Rock Islands" are foliage covered islets that seem to float on the
surface of the ocean.
This unique crossroad of three oceanic currents offers great visibility,
sometimes easily exceeding 200 feet. Divers will enjoy wall,
shark, wreck, cave, and high-speed drift dives along Ulong Channel and Blue
Corner. The islands offer a variety of shallow coral gardens
with hard and soft corals, big animals and macro critters, sharks, mantas,
turtles, ripping currents, and shore diving. Landlocked lakes, accessible
from the ocean through tunnels beneath the islands shoreline, are home to
rare jelly fish, anemones and even soft corals. With over 1,300 species of fish and more than 700 species
of coral, hidden lakes, white sandy beaches, rainforest and waterfalls, the
Palau archipelago is truly Mother Nature's work of art! |
