Set Your Sights on the Ultimate Ocean Predator During Palau's Shark Week
Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief
Country: Palau 
The Experience
There are a dwindling number of locations left in the world where you can still dive with sharks in consistent abundance. Palau is one of them. Behind a 70-mile-long barrier reef, Palau's sheltered lagoons hold a shark mating hot spot. Each year during the peak of grey reef shark mating season, leading dive shop Fish 'n Fins holds Shark Week, an educational diving event.
Though the thought of sharks may conjure up false images of a blood thirsty man eater, for those familiar with Palau diving, sharks are a reminder of how important and fragile our oceans are. Although you wouldn't guess it from looking at Palau's waters, it's estimated that over 100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, and it's projects like Shark Week, put on by Fish 'n Fins and the Micronesian Shark Foundation, that aim to change this.
As sharks cruise by you on dive sites like Blue Corner, Peleliu Corner, and Shark City, you are reminded of how lucky you are to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Sure you've had thrills before, but when's the last time it was covered in denticles? These tiny tooth-like projections cover shark's bodies, reducing water drag and allowing them to launch like torpedoes in the current. Sharks are so unique in their biological design that organizations such as Speedo and the U.S. Navy have copied from them.
Aside from the first-hand experiences in shark appreciation that you get diving each day, the learning continues at night during Shark Week. Each night, Fish 'n Fins hosts lectures and presentations by shark experts to inform you about the state of shark conservation.
Being able to get in the water with literally hundreds of mating grey reef shark is a thrill of a lifetime, but how long will it last in the face of a multi-billion dollar shark fining industry? In a largely unregulated market, products like shark fin soup and so called health remedies are causing shark populations to crash worldwide. So think of it this way: When you dive during shark week, not only are you becoming an informed and proactive shark advocate, you're doing something good for the oceans by promoting sustainable ecotourism.
Though the thought of sharks may conjure up false images of a blood thirsty man eater, for those familiar with Palau diving, sharks are a reminder of how important and fragile our oceans are. Although you wouldn't guess it from looking at Palau's waters, it's estimated that over 100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, and it's projects like Shark Week, put on by Fish 'n Fins and the Micronesian Shark Foundation, that aim to change this.
As sharks cruise by you on dive sites like Blue Corner, Peleliu Corner, and Shark City, you are reminded of how lucky you are to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Sure you've had thrills before, but when's the last time it was covered in denticles? These tiny tooth-like projections cover shark's bodies, reducing water drag and allowing them to launch like torpedoes in the current. Sharks are so unique in their biological design that organizations such as Speedo and the U.S. Navy have copied from them.
Aside from the first-hand experiences in shark appreciation that you get diving each day, the learning continues at night during Shark Week. Each night, Fish 'n Fins hosts lectures and presentations by shark experts to inform you about the state of shark conservation.
Being able to get in the water with literally hundreds of mating grey reef shark is a thrill of a lifetime, but how long will it last in the face of a multi-billion dollar shark fining industry? In a largely unregulated market, products like shark fin soup and so called health remedies are causing shark populations to crash worldwide. So think of it this way: When you dive during shark week, not only are you becoming an informed and proactive shark advocate, you're doing something good for the oceans by promoting sustainable ecotourism.
Discover the waters of Palau with pioneering dive shop Fish n' Fins
When to Go to Shark Week
Want a Guide?
- Fish'n Fins - Fishnfins.com
- Established in 1972, Fish'n Fins is Palau's leading dive and tour center.
- Ocean Hunter Liveaboard - OceanHunter.com
- Ocean Hunter 1 and 3 are Palau's most luxurious liveaboard vessels. Enjoy up to 5 dives a day or night, gourmet food and flexible itinerary
Recommended Places to Stay
- Landmark Marina
- Landmark Marina and dock side restaurant opened on May 27, 2007 located in a beautiful Lagoon at the southwest corner of Koror Island.
- Palau Rose Garden Resort
- With 20 custom built air conditioned cottages that are ideally situated on top of the hill, the private balcony offers breathtaking views overlooking the whole city of Koror and Babeldaob.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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Enquire now
Shark Week includes 7 nights stay, 5 days of diving (2 tanks), seminars, participation in studies and research, lunches, transportation, a specially designed T-Shirt and a Gala Dinner.
Starting from $1250.00 per person.
Starting from $1250.00 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Fish 'n Fins Shark Week - SportDiver.com (magazine)
- Palau to become first 'shark sanctuary' - Xray-mag.com (magazine)
- West Pacific Jewel - Palau - SportDiver.com (magazine)
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Japanese 
is one of the languages spoken in Palau. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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