May 2026 – After diving the cold waters of Iceland just two weeks earlier, I went straight into the warm, vibrant waters of Palau – one of the planet’s undisputed top diving destinations.
Located in the western Pacific, Palau is a diver’s dream thanks to its dramatic underwater topography, healthy coral reefs, and incredible marine biodiversity. The archipelago sits where major ocean currents converge, delivering nutrient-rich water that attracts everything from massive schools of fish and reef sharks to graceful manta rays and turtles.
With protected marine areas (including one of the world’s first shark sanctuaries), WWII wrecks, towering drop-offs, channels with thrilling drifts, and mysterious caves, Palau consistently ranks among the best dive spots globally. Whether you’re into big pelagics, macro life, or relaxed reef exploration, it delivers.
I did 15 fantastic dives, hitting all the iconic sites Palau is famous for. From high-adrenaline drifts to peaceful wrecks and caves, every day brought something new and spectacular.
• Blue Corner – Famous for its shark-filled “corner” and massive schools of barracuda and jacks. A true bucket-list drift dive.
• Blue Hole – A stunning vertical cavern system with dramatic light shafts and swim-throughs.
• German Channel – Perfect for close encounters with graceful manta rays coming in for cleaning stations.
• Ulong Channel & Ulong Wall – Thrilling drifts along vibrant walls packed with marine life.
• Turtle Cove – A relaxed site where green turtles are often seen resting and feeding.
• Iro Maru Shipwreck – A massive WWII Japanese tanker wreck, upright and heavily encrusted with coral—great for wreck enthusiasts.
• Jake Seaplane – A sunken WWII-era aircraft, offering a unique and photogenic exploration.
• Chandelier Cave – An atmospheric cavern dive filled with stunning stalactite formations (and a handy air pocket inside).
Every dive was world-class, and the variety kept things exciting from start to finish.
I dived the with Palau Dive Adventures, and they were outstanding. The equipment was excellent, the boats comfortable and well-organized, and the guides highly experienced – they knew exactly how to time the currents and find the best marine action. Professional, friendly, and safety-focused; I couldn’t recommend them more highly.
All the pictures below were captured with my trusty Canon R5 Mark II paired with the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 lens, now safely housed in my new Nauticam underwater housing. The system performed flawlessly – keeping the camera bone-dry on every single dive. The wide-angle lens was perfect for capturing the scale of the walls, wrecks, and big schools, while the R5’s dynamic range and low-light performance brought out the vivid colors of Palau’s reefs even at depth.
Compared to my earlier GoPro days, this upgrade is massive. The sharpness, color fidelity, and overall image quality are in a completely different league.
I hope you enjoy my pictures 🙂
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