The siren song of the Pacific is calling - and for U.S. military personnel, it’s louder than reveille. Imagine swapping the grind of the base for the electric blue waters of Palau, where sharks patrol cathedral-like drop-offs, historic wrecks have transformed into thriving marine habitats, and luxury liveaboards serve gourmet meals between dives. Best of all? Palau’s premier dive operators - Fish ‘n Fins and Ocean Hunter Palau - are rolling out exclusive military discounts that turn bucket-list dreams into affordable reality. 

WHY PALAU? THE PACIFIC’S BEST-KEPT SECRET 

Stationed in Guam, Japan, or Korea? Palau is practically in your backyard:

• 1.5-hour flight from Guam 

• 4-5 hours from Japan/Korea 

• No jet lag, no long travel days - just pure paradise 

Palau’s credentials speak for themselves: 

• UNESCO World Heritage Site (Rock Islands’ jade lagoons) 

• Top 3 global dive destination 

• Planet’s first shark sanctuary (600,000 sq km protected) 

• Strategic U.S. ally with military installations 

“After months at Camp Fuji, even the chow hall’s jalapeño cheese spread loses its thrill. Palau? It’s the perfect barracks antidote.” 

 TOP 5 MUST-DIVE SITES

1. Iro Wreck - Palau’s Sunken Titan

Just 15 minutes from Koror, the massive Iro wreck stands as one of Palau’s most impressive underwater attractions - a 470-foot Japanese fleet oiler resting majestically in 120 feet of water. Unlike typical coral-covered wrecks, the Iro offers a different kind of spectacle: its towering forward gun platform (starting at just 25 feet) covered in delicate black coral growth, while schools of lagoon fish swirl around its intact superstructure. The wreck tells a dramatic war story - torpedo damage visible along the starboard bow, an engine room shattered by bombing, and bridge areas scorched by fire damage. While the deck at 85 feet is accessible to experienced divers, the Iro demands respect: its deep resting place and military history (including potential live ammunition) require careful buoyancy control and proper training. What makes this wreck extraordinary is how it combines history with mystery - why was this military vessel never given the traditional “Maru” suffix? As you glide past its massive fuel pipes, hatches, and twin gun platforms (one fore, one aft), you’re not just diving a wreck - you’re exploring an open-air museum where every detail reveals another chapter of Palau’s WWII story.

2. Jake Seaplane - Palau’s Underwater Aviation Museum

Just a five-minute boat ride from Koror, the Jake Seaplane wreck offers one of Palau’s most accessible and fascinating dive experiences. Resting upright in 45 feet of crystal-clear water, this remarkably intact Aichi E13A “Jake” reconnaissance floatplane has transformed into a thriving artificial reef since its 1994 discovery. The wreck tells a silent story - its straight propellers suggesting an engine-off water landing, while the detached tail section and pontoon lie nearby, now blanketed in colorful corals. Perfect for both divers and snorkelers, the site dazzles with its combination of history and marine life: schools of tropical fish dart through the cockpit where radios and ammunition remain preserved, while octopuses and nudibranchs camouflage themselves against the plane’s coral-encrusted surfaces. With visibility often exceeding 60 feet and a maximum depth of just 45 feet, this underwater time capsule provides exceptional photographic opportunities while serving as a gentle reminder of Palau’s WWII history - though we strongly caution against touching any remaining artifacts or ammunition for safety reasons. It’s not just a dive site - it’s a living history lesson where nature has reclaimed this wartime relic in the most beautiful way possible.

3. Blue Corner - Palau’s Ultimate Drift Dive Adventure

Just a 30-minute boat ride from Koror, Blue Corner delivers the most exhilarating drift dive in Micronesia - an underwater rollercoaster where sharks, barracuda, and Napoleon wrasse ride the currents like commuters on a rush-hour subway. This legendary site combines heart-pounding action with surreal beauty - as you hook into the reef’s edge at about 60 feet, you’ll watch gray reef sharks patrol the drop-off while schools of trevally form silver tornadoes in the blue. The secret lies in the site’s perfect L-shaped configuration - when the current’s pumping, you’ll experience the famous “Blue Corner express” as it carries you past vibrant soft corals and gorgonian fans. While advanced divers love flying through the strong currents, even intermediate divers can enjoy the show during slack tide when the reef’s resident turtles and eagle rays come out to play. What makes Blue Corner truly special is its ever-changing cast - one day it’s manta rays flying by, the next it’s a hunting ground for dogtooth tuna.

4. German Channel - Palau’s Manta Ray Ballet

A 30-minute boat ride from Koror, this man-made channel (created in 1908) now hosts nature’s grandest performance. Descend to discover: 

• Manta ray cleaning stations where 16-foot wingspans glide overhead 

• Reef sharks patrolling the channel edges 

• Barracuda tornadoes swirling in the blue 

• Napoleon wrasse making guest appearances 

Prime Time: November-March for guaranteed manta action  

“We’ve seen 16 mantas on one dive – each visit is opening night!”- Fish ‘n Fins guest  

5. Chandelier Cave

Chandelier Cave offers a completely different diving experience just 10 minutes from Koror by boat. This five-chamber cave system starts at 40 feet deep, featuring impressive stalactite formations that extend from the ceilings. Divers can surface inside air pockets within the cave, where bubbles collect against the ceiling in a unique visual effect. The mineral deposits on the stalactites sparkle when illuminated by dive lights, creating dramatic visuals. You’ll spot marine life like shrimp, crabs, and occasionally mandarin fish among the formations. The final chamber requires removing your gear to access a dry area through a narrow passage.

CONSERVATION - YOUR DIVE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Palau leads in ocean protection: 

• 80% no-fishing marine sanctuary 

• $500k+ in illegal fishing intercepted annually 

• Eco-pledge stamped in visas

• World’s first Shark Sanctuary 

“Tourism funds our ranger patrols - every diver helps protect paradise.”

YOUR PALAU DEPLOYMENT CHECKLIST 

Pre-Deployment Essentials:

• Flights: United from Guam (90 min) 

• Discounts: Military ID required 

• Permits: $50 Rock Islands (handled by operators) 

Book Now:

• Fish ‘n Fins: www.fishnfins.com, info@fishnfins.com (code: MILITARY2025)

• Ocean Hunter: www.oceanhunter.com, info@oceanhunter.com (code: MILITARY2025)

Execute your mission:

1. Email Ocean Hunter 

2. Contact Fish ‘n Fins 

3. Pack your fins and sense of wonder 

Palau awaits, troops. Your CO approves this message.

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