Set sail on a classic 8-day, 7-night diving expedition aboard Solitude Gaia in Palau. Discover breathtaking underwater scenery, vibrant marine life, and top-tier diving in a renowned global destination. Expert guides, cozy accommodations, and unparalleled dive sites ensure an unforgettable adventure, combining thrills and tranquillity in Palau’s pristine waters.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Embarkation (No Diving)

Embarkation will begin between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, and all guests must be onboard by the following morning. Airport transfer and/or local hotel transfers are included. Upon boarding Solitude Gaia, a welcome from the rest of our crew awaits you. Orientation and registration (remember your C Cards and/or Log Books!) will begin once you are welcomed.

Day 2: (2 - 3 dives)

Dive sites may include: 

• Jake Seaplane 
• Chandelier Cave
• Iro wreck
• Hafa Dai wreck

Today is our first day of diving, and Solitude Gaia will be anchored in Malakal Bay. After the welcome briefing and registration, we will have up to 3 dives. Palau was a major battleground between the USA and Japanese armed forces during World War II. There are several WW2 shipwrecks scattered in close proximity to the main town of Koror, Palau. You will have the possibility to dive shipwrecks or an airplane wreck. There is also a popular and easy cavern dive within a rock island in the area called the Chandelier Cave. The visibility within the rock islands is usually less than that of the famous outer reef dive sites in Palau, which gives an interesting variation to your Palau diving experience. In the evening, we will lift anchor and move south to Ulong Island.

Day 3: Ulong Island Area (3 - 4 Dives)

Dive sites may include:

• Iro wreck
• Sandy Paradise
• Ulong
• Channel
• Siaes Corner

Today we wake up anchored in front of the beautiful Ulong island. Ulong Island has a long, beautiful, white sand beach and ancient rock art paintings. There are many famous dive sites in this area. You’ll have the experience of diving a channel, walls, corners with current, and a beautiful reef. Weather and schedule allowing, we will have a beach visit and a possible BBQ on one of the days.

Day 4 - 6: Peleliu & Ngemelis Island Areas (3 - 4 Dives)

Dive sites may include:

• Peleliu Corner
• Peleliu Cut
• Yellow Wall
• Peleliu Express
• Orange Beach
• German Channel
• Blue Corner
• Blue Holes
• New Drop-off
• Big Drop-off
• Turtle Cove and many more.

We spend the next 3 days diving in the southern area of the Rock Island Southern Lagoon (RISL) and the outer reefs of Palau. You will enjoy dramatic drop-offs, abundant Islandgardens, strong currents, prolific marine life, and possibly even Manta Rays. During these days, there will also be a chance to experience a WW2 land tour of Peleliu island.

Day 7: Ngemelis Island Area (up to 3 Dives)

(All guests must adhere to a minimum of 18 hours pre-flight surface interval) 

Dive sites may include:

• German Channel
• Ngedebus Wall
• Dexter’s Wall
• Ngemelis Coral Garden
• Virgin Blue Hole

Today is our last day of diving, and we will enjoy a few more dives in the main area of Ngemelis Island. After the diving is finished, we will sail back to Malakal.

Day 8: Day tours & Disembarkation (No diving)

Today, after a big breakfast, you will have optional complimentary tours via speedboat to either Jellyfish Lake, Milky Way, or both (If visiting Jellyfish Lake, you will need to purchase a Jellyfish Lake permit). Disembarkation will be after lunch, up until 5:00 pm at the latest. A later checkout can be accommodated, subject to availability and an additional fee.

Snorkeling Information

This itinerary is designed primarily for scuba divers. Snorkeling is only suitable for strong, experienced swimmers, as dive sites may have strong currents. These trips are not suitable for beginners.

Snorkeling is unguided and subject to daily sea conditions. The Cruise Director will determine availability.

For safety reasons, snorkelers must wear or carry a life jacket at all times and stay close to the dinghies. Snorkeling may not be available every day.

Palau’s nutrient-rich currents create an underwater spectacle filled with life. Expect frequent encounters with reef sharks cruising corners and drop-offs, large schools of jacks, barracuda, and snappers riding the currents, and green and hawksbill turtles resting along the walls. Manta rays are often seen gliding through German Channel, while macro enthusiasts can search for mandarinfish, nudibranchs, and other small reef creatures. Wreck dives add a fascinating historical dimension, making every dive a blend of marine abundance and underwater heritage.

The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.

(*) The itinerary description is provided by the boat operator. Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only, and the exact route and sites visited may change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics, at the Captain’s discretion.