This custom 10-night itinerary aboard the Rock Islands Aggressor is planned to coincide with a new moon, allowing us to dive a Bumphead Parrotfish spawning site. We conducted our first Field Survey in Palau in October 2016 and were astounded by the fish diversity, which included Reef Mantas visiting cleaning stations, huge schools of Unicornfish, and mating Mandarinfish. One of our most memorable dive locations from the first Palau REEF Trip included sightings of the rare Blueback Pygmy Angelfish, Harlequin Grouper, and Decorated and Helfrich's Dartfish. We look forward to returning during this special charter to see what other discoveries await.
Project Focus: This purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip!
Best Suited For: Divers. Most diving in Palau is drift diving, so divers should be comfortable with a current.
Accommodations: The Rock Islands Aggressor holds 18 guests in 9 staterooms. There are 8 deluxe staterooms with a queen bed and a single bunk above, and 1 double stateroom with a full bed and single bunk above. The double stateroom is located on the dive deck. All staterooms have a private head and shower, storage and individual climate controls.
Diving: Diving will be done from from a 35 ft. skiff that carries 18 divers, to allow for quick access a variety of dive sites. There will be 3-4 dives per day, and night dives will be offered on some nights of the charter, conditions permitting. Most diving in Palau is drift diving, so divers should be comfortable with a current. It is suggested that divers bring safety items such as a Dive Alert, Life Line and safety sausage. A dive computer is mandatory. All tanks have K-valves; no DIN valves are available. DIN adapters are available but it is suggested to bring your own if needed. Water temperatures in June/July are around 84-85 degrees. A 3mm wetsuit is recommended.
Trip Leader: Amy Lee is REEF’s Engagement and Communications Manager. She oversees REEF’s Field Survey Trips Program and leads communication and outreach efforts. She is an experienced surveyor throughout the Caribbean and REEF's tropical Pacific survey regions.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
$5,050 per diver based on double occupancy in a deluxe stateroom. 8 deluxe staterooms/16 berths total.
$4,765 per diver based on double occupancy in a double stateroom. 1 double stateroom/2 berths total.
Your Package Includes: The trip package includes 10 nights onboard the Rock Islands Aggressor, 9 days of diving including tanks, weights, and weight belts, all meals and snacks except dinner on June 15, non-alcoholic beverages, local beer and wine.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $350 will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials. The REEF Program Fee applies to all divers and any attendee age 18 or older.
Additional Fees - Not Included: $270 port fee and $215 fuel surcharge are payable onboard via cash, Visa or Mastercard, all flights and associated travel to and from Palau, hotels in transit, transfers, dinner ashore on the final night of the trip (July 5), optional Nitrox for $150, optional rental gear. Gratuities are not included in the trip package and are at each individual's discretion.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $1,000 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Palau Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
How to Get There: Participants are responsible for booking flights to/from Koror International Airport (ROR). Due to the requirement for the day 4 COVID test, it is extremely important for everyone to arrive on the same flight so the day 4 testing schedules are the same, or arrive in Palau early enough to complete the day 4 testing prior to boarding. Flight schedules are subject to change, so please consult REEF Trips prior to booking your flights to ensure that your itinerary will fit the current COVID testing schedule. Please review the testing and entry requirements on this page. Once you are on the page, scroll down to the Palau section of the table.
Hotels: Early arrival guests must provide a travel itinerary that shows they have stayed at "Pandemic Certified" facilities during their first four days upon their arrival. The Palau Aggressor II and Rock Islands Aggressor are both "Pandemic Certified." All hotels booked for guests through Aggressor Travel are “Pandemic Certified.” If you require a hotel before boarding the boat, we suggest contacting Aggressor Travel for booking guidance at travel@aggressor.com.
Transfers: There are no phones or taxis at the airport, so advance reservations must be made. Airport transfers are not included in the cost of the trip package. After you have made your flight and hotel arrangements, please notify REEF of your plans so that transfers can be arranged. Guests will be picked up from hotels between 4-5pm for boarding on June 26. The staff will assist with organizing transportation to either the airport or your hotel on July 6.
Passports, Documentation and Visas: Visitors must have a current passport, adequate funds to support themselves, and a return airline ticket to travel to Palau. U.S. citizens require a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival. Please consult the appropriate consulate for specific travel regulations and to ensure that you have the correct documentation.
COVID-19 Considerations: Arrival requirements and procedures for travelers to the Republic of Palau can be found at: https://www.palaugov.pw/ and https://www.palaugov.pw/travel/. Please also see the latest guidelines for testing procedures as compiled by Aggressor. As of 1/8/22, key procedures for arriving in Palau are:
• Proof of Vaccination – All travelers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose received at least 14 days before arrival in Palau.
• Pre-Arrival Negative COVID-19 test (or Documentation of Recovery) must be provided.
• All travelers must provide a valid address and contact information in Palau.
• All guests must complete a Day 4 (Thursday) supplemental COVID-19 PCR test - travelers must arrive on the day of boarding or have completed their mandatory 4th-day test before boarding. Guests arriving on the day of boarding will receive their follow up test four days after boarding. This will be arranged by the yacht.
• All travelers must wear a face mask during their first five days upon arrival.
It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination, and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section in our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information.