Palau Sea Kayaking and Snorkeling
Experience the Natural History Paradise of the Rock Islands
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $4795 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 11 days |
| Arrive: | Koror, Palau |
| Depart: | Koror, Palau |
| Lodging: | 4 nights beach resorts, 6 nights full-service camping describe |
| Meals: | All meals included |
| Activity: | Snorkeling, Wildlife & Natural History, Sea Kayaking |
| Trip Level: |
Snorkeling, easy to moderate sea kayaking on sit-on-top kayaks, 3-5 hours a day
|
Highlights
- Snorkel the magical Rock Islands, with hidden lakes, coral gardens, marine tunnels, fields of giant clams, thousand-foot-deep walls to explore
- Sea kayak among jungle-draped islands, sleep under the stars in comfy private camps on beautiful wilderness beaches
- Hike on volcanic Babeldoab Island, explore historic Peleliu Island, swim in ethereal Jellyfish Lake
- Optional scuba day at Ngemelis Island
An incredible journey. The reefs were amazing—the best I’ve encountered yet, and an elegant camping experience. Well done!!Carole L.—Port Townsend, WA
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
Palau’s superabundance and diversity of reef fish and coral life is without parallel on earth—it’s even been called the “underwater Serengeti” of our planet. We experience its incredible wonders in the phenomenally scenic Rock Islands, one of the natural masterpieces of the Pacific, where hundreds of luxuriant limestone outcrops rise dramatically from aquamarine seas. Snorkeling and kayaking in hidden marine lakes, into colorful coral gardens, and above vertical walls that descend to depths of more than a thousand feet on the outer reef, we enjoy the comfort of lovely beach camps and a wonderful education in natural history as we discover this heavenly realm. Fascinating hikes, dramatic waterfalls, ancient villages, giant clams, a lake full of stingless jellyfish—it’s all here!
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Days 1-2
Koror, Palau
After meeting in Koror, we explore volcanic Babeldoab, the second largest island in all of Micronesia, with its jungle-draped hills and cascading waterfalls. Back in Koror, a visit to the national aquarium gives us a preview of the wonders to come.
Days 3-4
Rock Islands / Nikko Bay / Raisong Bay
The surreal Rock Islands are an uplifted ancient reef that eroded away into an elaborate archipelago of 300 islands, lakes, lagoons, undercuts, and archways. Our first day of paddling is incredibly diverse, with reef fish nurseries, coral gardens, limestone caves, and tunnels. The next day we focus on inner lagoon nursery habitats; highlights include drift snorkeling, an ancient Palauan village, the Blue Devil Gardens, and most amazingly, a saltwater waterfall spilling into a turquoise oasis. On our paddling excursions, we should see baby sharks and rays in tranquil little nursery bays.
Days 5-6
Margie’s Beach
Our outings include snorkeling over the wreck of a Zero airplane from World War II, kayaking across the opaque waters of a narrow channel known as the Milky Way, and passing through a tunnel to secluded Secret Lake. The next day, we explore Long Lake, where a rushing current carries our kayaks through a winding passage leading into a mile-long lake that’s a hidden oasis for nesting birds and tiny fish. Many of the ancient plants here, including cycads, are not seen anywhere else in Palau. Later, we head to the coral gardens at Honeymoon Beach, with a tiny sand spit and swaying coconut palms sandwiched between two limestone islands.
Days 7-8
Ngerchong Island / Ngemelis
Island Heading to the outer reef, we discover the Ngemelis Wall, plummeting vertically into a 1,000-foot abyss and teeming with big marine life including rays, turtles, and massive schools of fish. Highlights include Giant Clam Beach, with stacks of 500-pound clams living on top of one another, and Jellyfish Lake, where millions of non-stinging jellyfish bounce off our bodies as we snorkel among them.
Days 9-11
Carp Island / Peleliu / Koror
After a morning of snorkeling, we bid farewell to the magical Rock Islands, then head to scenic Peleliu, scene of fierce fighting during World War II. We explore its battle sites and enjoy some final snorkeling sessions before returning to Koror. Depart on Day 11.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is relaxed enough to allow ample time for photography, snorkeling, extra paddling, and beachcombing. The Trip Leader gives a daily background briefing on the natural history of each area we explore, including its geology, birding, reef fish, coral reef ecology, or archaeology. Throughout our time on the Rock Islands, we are supported by a motor-launch boat. Our days are spent kayaking through gorgeous, crystal-clear turquoise waters, snorkeling, hiking to sites of interest, birdwatching, swimming, and relaxing on untouched beaches. On most days, we paddle for four to five hours, although usually not more than an hour at a time, interspersed with snorkeling and other activities. The paddling distances are short.
The trip is designed to offer an enjoyable vacation—you need not have done any previous kayaking. In general, we choose routes that are largely protected from high winds and strong currents, and we adapt our daily schedule to local conditions. We have welcomed both beginner and experienced paddlers on this trip, and they have found sea kayaking to be a fantastic way to experience the wonders of Palau. Our support boat goes ahead to each new campsite with our gear so that our new camp is set up and awaiting us on arrival. Campsites are chosen for their beauty and/or access to fantastic snorkeling. Our days of physical activity will fuel good appetites, and our two camp cooks provide delicious repasts.
Departures & Leaders
Nov 10-20, 2010 Ron Leidich
Jan 5-15, 2011 Ron Leidich
Feb 20-Mar 2, 2011 Ron Leidich
Mar 7-17, 2011 TJ Beches
May 17-27, 2011 TJ Beches
Jul 30-Aug 9, 2011 TJ Beches
Nov 10-20, 2011 Ron Leidich
Jan 11-21, 2012 Ron Leidich
Feb 9-19, 2012 Ron Leidich
Mar 10-20, 2012 Ron Leidich
Tour Costs
Prices are for 2011
$4795 (6-9 members)
$5195 (4-5 members)
Single supplement: $695
more on pricing
Tour Cost Includes:
- expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- 4 nights hotel accommodations in Koror and Carp Island.
- 6 nights camping, including group camping equipment (except sleeping sheets)
- most meals, as noted in the Full Trip Brochure, including welcome and farewell dinners
- charter boat and ground transportation
- kayaks, paddles, PFDs (life jackets), and boat safety gear
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Snorkeling equipment (wetsuit, snorkel, mask, fins), international airfare to/from Palau, meals not specified at the end of each itinerary day, optional gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule or other factors, expenses such as immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, and so on). Participants must provide their own sleeping sheet for camping.Palau Pacific Resort
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights),
Day 10 (1 night),
Koror, Palau
Located just outside the city of Koror, our resort lies on a spectacular private white-sand beach overlooking the blue Pacific. Guest rooms are very ...
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Palau Camps
Days 3 to 8 (6 nights), The Rock Islands, Palau
On the phenomenally beautiful Rock Islands, we enjoy our own wonderful campsites chosen for their beauty and access to fantastic snorkeling. Our ...
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Carp Island Resort
Day 9 (1 night), Carp Island, Palau
A simple ecolodge on its own private island, Carp Island Resort boasts an extraordinary location just 10 minutes from world-famous sites like the ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Tarkong (TJ) Beches was born and raised on the remote island atoll of Kayangel in the northern Palau islands. He learned the traditional art of Palauan fishing at age four, and his grandfather shared with him an encyclopedic knowledge of fish behavior as well as his love and concern for ...
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Ron Leidich was born in Japan, raised in a Marine Corps family that traveled around the world, and for the last ten years has made his home in Palau. He has a degree in Zoology, certification in advanced life saving and rescue, and has been a master scuba diver since 1991. Ron initially became a ...
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Client Comments
An incredible journey. The reefs were amazing—the best I’ve encountered yet, and an elegant camping experience. Well done!!Carole L., Port Townsend, WA
Ron's knowledge of the natural wonders of Palau, its people, and its history coupled with his spirit of fun and enthusiastic delivery made the trip a delight and an intense learning experience at the same time.Robert C., Concord, MA
Great itinerary—well planned, and the food at camp was beyond expectations. My family and I had a terrific time.Jim J., Ojai, CA
This trip exceeded my expectations in all regards.Robert R., Park City, UT
Wonderful—one of our very best trips with WT.Ralph S. and Karen P., Playa del Rey, CA




