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Catch the Current at Ulong Channel
Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief
Country: Palau 
The Experience
Predicting an exceptional day of diving in Palau is not hard to do. Early risers are met with soaring sunrise views over turquoise waters, none better than those of the Rose Garden Resort. When the staff say, "enjoy the million dollar view", they aren't exaggerating. The resort's convenient mountainside perch makes every morning picture perfect.
Ulong Channel and Reef may not be known to the outside world as Palau's best dive site, but if you ask the staff of veteran dive shop Fish 'n Fins, it's the crowd favourite. Diving Ulong Reef makes you feel like an underwater explorer on assignment from National Geographic, caught in the middle of feeding frenzy. Here you can find some amazing bait ball action. Sharks and napoleon wrasse patrol the waters seemingly unaware of your presence. The pack of fusilier fish shift and swirl as if they were one, right above your head. Your dive guide will help you find a spot to hunker down inside the reef so that you can watch the action directly overhead. Watch your air, as you'll most likely be so enthralled with the hunt that you'll lose track of time. On those perfect days, you may even be lucky enough to encounter large octopus mating around the reef below. Upon surfacing, it isn't uncommon to hear participants exclaim "I didn't even see that shark until it was coming right over my head!"
After the surface break you can get back in and dive the Ulong Channel, which is a different type of adrenaline rush. After swimming to the channel's opening and hooking into the reef with your reef hook you can observe the swarms of sharks torpedoing by. A few minutes later you get to unhook and ride down one of the world's best drift dives. Extending approximately one-half mile, Ulong Channel is lined on each side with beautiful coral gardens. One of the most interesting things about diving Ulong Channel is the stacks of plate coral which house such fish as the glasseye, squirrelfish, and soldierfish in it's large lettuce-like pockets. Locally it's referred to as the fish condominiums. On your first dive at the fast moving Ulong Channel you'll be busy trying to keep your regulator from falling out of your mouth, but if you get the chance to do it again try body surfing along it's sandy bottom for a unique twist.
In Palau, the trip to the dive site can be as much of a highlight as the dive itself. Your speedboat will whisk you between rock formations, through scenic channels and around perfect beaches nestled into uninhabited islands. Your lunches will often be on these isolated beaches, allowing you to explore the islands or bask in the sun.
Ulong Channel and Reef may not be known to the outside world as Palau's best dive site, but if you ask the staff of veteran dive shop Fish 'n Fins, it's the crowd favourite. Diving Ulong Reef makes you feel like an underwater explorer on assignment from National Geographic, caught in the middle of feeding frenzy. Here you can find some amazing bait ball action. Sharks and napoleon wrasse patrol the waters seemingly unaware of your presence. The pack of fusilier fish shift and swirl as if they were one, right above your head. Your dive guide will help you find a spot to hunker down inside the reef so that you can watch the action directly overhead. Watch your air, as you'll most likely be so enthralled with the hunt that you'll lose track of time. On those perfect days, you may even be lucky enough to encounter large octopus mating around the reef below. Upon surfacing, it isn't uncommon to hear participants exclaim "I didn't even see that shark until it was coming right over my head!"
After the surface break you can get back in and dive the Ulong Channel, which is a different type of adrenaline rush. After swimming to the channel's opening and hooking into the reef with your reef hook you can observe the swarms of sharks torpedoing by. A few minutes later you get to unhook and ride down one of the world's best drift dives. Extending approximately one-half mile, Ulong Channel is lined on each side with beautiful coral gardens. One of the most interesting things about diving Ulong Channel is the stacks of plate coral which house such fish as the glasseye, squirrelfish, and soldierfish in it's large lettuce-like pockets. Locally it's referred to as the fish condominiums. On your first dive at the fast moving Ulong Channel you'll be busy trying to keep your regulator from falling out of your mouth, but if you get the chance to do it again try body surfing along it's sandy bottom for a unique twist.
In Palau, the trip to the dive site can be as much of a highlight as the dive itself. Your speedboat will whisk you between rock formations, through scenic channels and around perfect beaches nestled into uninhabited islands. Your lunches will often be on these isolated beaches, allowing you to explore the islands or bask in the sun.
Discover the waters of Palau with pioneering dive shop Fish n'Fins
When to Go to Ulong Channel
Although diving Ulong Channel can be enjoyed year round, the best time of year for Palau diving runs from November to May. During this time there is less chance of wind and rain.
Palau is about 500 miles east of the Philippines. It can be reached by plane easily via Guam or Manila. Travellers from the United States and Canada do not need to arrange a travel visa ahead of time as a thirty day visa will be provided upon entry.
Palau is about 500 miles east of the Philippines. It can be reached by plane easily via Guam or Manila. Travellers from the United States and Canada do not need to arrange a travel visa ahead of time as a thirty day visa will be provided upon entry.
Odds n' Ends
Fish 'n Fins is the leading dive shop in Palau, not just for their knowledgeable and hawk eyed guides, but also for being the leading force in much of the work being done on shark conservation. They are a helpful dive shop not only during your visit, but to the sharks once your gone. Fish 'n Fins employs many local Palauns as dive guides who take great pride in protecting the reefs from careless divers. If you would like to explore the depths of Palau more extensively, Fish 'n Fins offers two liveaboard options on Ocean Hunter 1 and Ocean Hunter 3. This option allows you to enjoy up to 5 dives a day from the lap of luxury.
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
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
There are many activities within this hotel; a swimming pool with jacuzzi, white sand beach (only one private beach in Palau) with choices of water-activities, ... 15 miles away
$319 USD+
16 miles away
+ 3 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Jump in a Jellyfish Lake
- Expecting the unexpected is half the fun of being a diver, but when you snorkel Palau's Jellyfish Lake—all assumptions are off limits. This natural marine lake is a magnet for divers and snorkellers alike thanks to its curious populous of harmless jellyfish. Getting to your destination is part of the fun when diving in Palau, and carving your way through remote uninhabited islands on one of Fish n' Fins 225 HP speed boats is definitely not a hardship. The trail to Jellyfish Lake, however, may be just that. The rope-lined trail is a steep 15 minute climb for most. Be ...12 miles away.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
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Fish 'n Fins full day of diving (2 tanks)
Starting from $130.00 per person.
Starting from $130.00 per person.
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