Location
Located between Guam, The Philippines and Papua New Guinea, Palau is a 640km long archipelago that harbours one of the world's greatest concentrations of corals, fish and other marine life. The Palau islands include more than 200 islands, of which only eight are inhabited. Having emerged from the United Nations trusteeship in 1994 it is one of the worlds youngest and smallest sovereign states.
Few other travel destinations in the world can compete with Palau when it comes to diversity - sharks, mantas, wrecks, caves, reefs and the unique Jelly fish lake. Palau is a scuba destination like no other. Many of the dive sites are reachable from both resort and liveaboard. Scuba Travel have worked for many years with the premier scuba diving operators in Palau and we're more than happy to help you discover this fantastic destination.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
All travellers to Palau must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except those under 12 years of age.
A Pre-Arrival Negative COVID-19 test (or Documentation of Recovery) must be provided. PCR tests must be taken within three (3) days. Antigen tests must be taken within one (1) day before departure from the point of origin to the Republic of Palau.
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.
On Day 4, you will be required to appear at a designated health facility to take a mandatory COVID-19 PCR test
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 13SEP 2022
Weather and Climate
Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 28 °C. Rainfall can occur throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone. Water temps are usually around 28C
Travel
Flight options
There are no direct flights to Palau. The best route is via Manila (you may need to overnight here) and then onto Palau. On some dates the flight will stop in Guam before landing on Koror. You will fly with United Airlines between Manila and Palau.
We are able to book most major airlines as far as Manila. If you have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Koror, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
You can chose to break your journey in Manila or en route with your airline. Singapore, Hong Kong or Dubai are popular options.
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
UK passport holders are able to obtain a visa on arrival. Please ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. Guam is a US protectorate - you must have a valid ESTA before travel if your flights transit through Guam. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Previous travel to certain countries (eg Cuba, Sudan) will exclude you from the ESTA programme and you will need to apply for a visa before travel. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival in Palau you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. Some reps are able to meet you airside. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
All transfers will have been arranged for you. Transfers are by land and not usually more than about 30mins.
Departures
Return transfer details will be advised locally. There is a $50 departure tax & green fee on leaving Palau
Info
Tipping
Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. Aggressor believe gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. When settling your account on the final morning morning, the Captain will have an envelope for gratuities that will be divided equally among the crew.
Currency
US Dollars are widely accepted. Credit cards can be used in larger hotels and shops - a local surcharge will apply for all card transactions
Phone coverage
Private calls may be made from the yacht. Email is available onboard through the satellite system. There is a charge for incoming and outgoing email.
Plugs and electricity
Electrical outlets onboard are standard US 110 volt.
Extras
Hire equipment
A full line of Aqua Lung rental gear is available onboard including regulators, BCs, dive computers, and night-lights. If any of your dive equipment fails while onboard, the crew will loan you equipment free of charge.
Extras
Several diving specialty courses are offered onboard including Nitrox, Advanced Open Water, UW Photography, Master Diver and more. Open Water Certification Courses & Check-Out Dives are offered as well.
Souvenirs
There is a mini-boutique onboard, which sells a selection of logo clothing including t-shirts, caps, CD’s and miscellaneous items. One day during the week, the crew will have a ‘boutique day’. The Fiji Aggressor accepts cash, traveler’s checks, American Express, Visa & MasterCard. Sorry, no personal checks, or Discover Cards. Many credit card companies are charging a conversion fee. If this happens to you, please contact your credit card company.
Nitrox/Gas
Unlimited Nitrox is $100 per 7 night charter/ $150 per 10 night charter
Payments
Deposits and Balances
A typical deposit for your Aggressor liveaboard package will be 50% of the trip cost. Your final balance will be due 100 days before travel.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Plus travel on a second Aggressor trip in 12mths for an extra $100 discount or $200 on your third trip in 12 mths.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Your on board accommodation in a double/twin cabin is on a full board basis - your last night dinner is not included in your charter package
Soft drinks, water, tea, coffee and a limited selection of local beer and wine
All diving, 12lt international tanks, air fills and weights are included
Airport transfers for embarkation/disembarkation can be prebooked but are paid for locally
Excluded
International flights, domestic flights and any overnight stays where required are not included in your trip. Please ask your travel consultant for a quote to add these
You will need to pay the port fees $240 per person onbaord, $50 departure tax & $10 green fee, plus a USD $150 fuel surcharge.
Nitrox for 7 nights is $100 on all Aggressor charters, kit rental, souvenirs or private guiding services are paid for on board.
We had a fabulous time. The Rock Island Aggressor was top quality. The dive guides and staff were awesome and the food was fabulous. Thank you again. Awesome service Sarah Cloke