Diving the Rock Islands

The Rock Islands are Palau’s most beautiful and visited islands. Divers consider these islands “the holy grail for diving,” and they offer some of the world’s most unique landscapes. Thousands of avid divers come to Palau every year, making Palau one of the world’s top diving destinations. Head to Palau’s southern lagoon, between Koror and Peleliu, to see over 200 limestone rocks straight up out of the deep blue sea, which create unique mushroom-shaped islands topped with dense, green jungle. The bottom of each island continues down into the ocean, creating an astounding habitat for the immense diversity of life that thrives in these waters. The awe-inspiring topography of the Rock Islands, make them home to Palau’s most sought after dive sites. One of the most famous dive sites in this region is Blue Corner, where a reef hook (invented in Palau) is a must to keep you stationary in the ripping current. Make sure to also include in your trip a visit to the massive caverns of Blue Holes, and to the German Channel, which is a great place to see manta rays. The islands are also home to 52 marine lakes; one of those marine lakes is the world-famous snorkeling site, Jellyfish Lake, where you can snorkel amongst thousands of non-stinging jellyfish. The Rock Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. They are a must-visit place with a unique beauty that will continue to astound divers from all over the world.

The descriptions provided here are intended as general information and personal experiences related to specific dive sites and locations and should not be construed as definitive advice or recommendations. Before diving, please confirm that diving is permitted at your chosen location, and comply with all relevant local laws, regulations, and posted signage. The responsibility for verifying the legality of the dive and assessing any associated risks rests entirely with you.