Sometimes, the best adventures begin with a spontaneous decision. After weeks of talking about diving in Palau from behind my desk at the Master Liveaboards sales and marketing office, I noticed a rare last-minute spot had opened on board the Palau Siren. It didn’t take much convincing. I booked myself onto the 7-night trip and packed my dive gear!
Getting to Palau was easier than expected. After a smooth transfer through Taipei, I was greeted at the airport in Koror with wide smiles from our operational partners and the crew of the Palau Siren. This instantly set the tone for the week.
I also met some of my fellow guests on the plane: a cheerful group of eight divers from China and Canada, several of whom were returning Master Liveaboards guests from the Philippines and Egypt.
Once on board, we were introduced to the rest of the guests. It was a vibrant mix including a tattooed marine-life lover from San Francisco (complete with her dog’s paw print inked on her arm), a warm Argentinian couple fresh from travelling in Japan, and John – a super-cool Aussie who told us this would be his last dive trip ever. He chose the diving in Palau specifically for its legendary sites and the convenience of direct flights from Brisbane.
We settled into our cabins after the safety briefing, and then tucked into a mouthwatering dinner prepared by Na and Mark – our Thai and Filipino culinary dream team.
Midway through the week, we anchored deep in the heart of the Rock Islands. I soon found myself with a kayak in hand and an hour of golden light left in the day. Paddling through mirror-flat water, with jungle-covered cliffs rising on all sides and Palau Siren glowing in the late afternoon sun behind me. It was one of those rare, quiet moments that stay with you forever. A few of us went out again the following day, laughing and floating in awe of where we were.
Every dive day started with excitement. The crew always waved us off from the dive platform as we loaded into the skiffs. And the rides themselves? Pure exhilaration. Skimming through the turquoise channels of the Rock Islands, the spray cool on our faces. The promise of epic diving was always just minutes away. It was like an adventure movie come to life, with jagged cliffs, secret coves, and endless shades of blue.
From the first dive at Ulong Sandbar, the magic of Palau was on full display. Whitetip reef sharks where cruising the coral slopes, schools of barracuda shimmering in the blue. There were also massive bumphead parrotfish chomping away at the reef. The visibility was stunning, and the coral gardens stretched as far as the eye could see.
Over the following days, we explored world-renowned sites like Blue Corner, where the current-powered spectacle of grey reef sharks, jacks, and barracuda kept us hooked (literally, on reef hooks!). At Siaes Tunnel, a massive swim-through gave way to a wall teeming with nudibranchs and dartfish. German Channel delivered its promise of manta magic, with graceful rays sweeping through the cleaning stations alongside turtles and fusiliers.
We also took time to slow down with some incredible dives. Vernie’s Reef was awesome at night, glowing with bioluminescence. As was Chandelier Cave during the day, with its surreal chambers, dramatic stalactites, and a shallow coral garden full of tiny critters. The wreck of the Iro Maru, a haunting WWII tanker now draped in coral, offered a deeper, contemplative moment in the trip.
The Palau Siren team
But it wasn’t just about the diving. Our Cruise Directors, Anne and Pedro, kept everything running smoothly while adding genuine warmth and humour to the trip.
Dive guides Neil and Elmer knew each site like their backyard. They pointed out tiny pygmy seahorses and giant mantis shrimp with equal enthusiasm. And every time we returned from a dive, the crew was there waving and cheering from the dive platform. They were always ready to welcome us back aboard with fresh towels, snacks, and big smiles.
“As a co-owner of Master Liveaboards, it’s rare that I get to experience a trip from the guest’s perspective. This week reminded me of why we do what we do. The Palau Siren isn’t just a dive boat – it’s a floating home, a hub of stories and smiles, and a front-row seat to one of the most spectacular underwater shows on the planet.”
Mark Shandur, co-owner Master Liveaboards
If you’ve ever dreamed of diving in Palau, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Sometimes, the best dive trips are the ones you never planned.
Creating Inspirational Experiences.
