Travel
Palau Diving - A Pacific paradise within reach for military personnel
Fish ‘n Fins
April 28, 2025
(Photo by Fish ‘n Fins)
Just a few hours’ flight from military bases in Japan, South Korea, and Guam lies one of the world’s premier diving destinations Palau. For service members stationed across the Western Pacific, this archipelago of over 300 islands offers an accessible escape to extraordinary underwater adventures that rival destinations requiring much longer journeys.
A Pristine Haven Just Hours Away
For military personnel based in the Pacific, Palau represents an accessible tropical getaway that doesn’t require extensive leave time. With United Airlines operating daily flights connecting Guam to Palau in just 90 minutes, and convenient connections from major military hubs in Japan and South Korea, this diving paradise is surprisingly within reach. Service members can take advantage of military rates and special offers that make this world-class destination more affordable than many realize.
“Many of our military visitors are amazed that such a renowned diving destination is practically in their backyard,” says a representative from Fish ‘n Fins, Palau’s premier dive operator. “We regularly welcome divers from bases across Japan, Korea, and Guam who come for long weekends or short leaves.”
(Photo by Fish ‘n Fins)
Underwater Wonders That Justify the Trip
Palau’s waters host an incredibly diverse marine ecosystem that few places on Earth can match. The archipelago boasts over 1,500 species of fish and more than 700 species of coral, creating vibrant underwater landscapes teeming with life.
What truly sets Palau apart is its commitment to marine conservation. In 2015, Palau designated its waters as a marine sanctuary, creating one of the world’s largest protected marine areas. This conservation effort has allowed marine life to flourish, providing divers with extraordinary encounters with sharks, manta rays, turtles, and vast schools of fish.
The diving conditions in Palau are generally excellent year-round, with water visibility often exceeding 100 feet and comfortable temperatures ranging from 82-86°F (28-30°C). This means service members can plan trips during short leave periods throughout the year without worrying about seasonal limitations.
(Photo by Fish ‘n Fins)
Legendary Dive Sites Within Easy Reach
Blue Corner stands as Palau’s most famous dive site, featuring strong currents that attract an astounding concentration of pelagic life. Divers typically hook into the reef and float in the current while observing gray reef sharks, napoleons, barracudas, and massive schools of jacks and snappers swirling in the blue. The experience is often described as “flying underwater” and represents the pinnacle of Palau diving.
German Channel rivals Blue Corner in fame, offering a corridor where manta rays come to cleaning stations, providing divers with intimate encounters with these gentle giants. Patient divers may also spot reef sharks and occasionally leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom.
Other must-visit sites include:
Ulong Channel: A thrilling drift dive through a coral-lined channel with vibrant reef life
Blue Holes: A series of caverns with ethereal light effects from sunlight filtering through ceiling openings
Jellyfish Lake: A unique snorkeling experience among millions of non-stinging jellyfish
Peleliu Wall: A dramatic vertical drop-off with incredible visibility and opportunities to spot larger pelagics
(Photo by Fish ‘n Fins)
Planning Your Palau Diving Adventure
For service members looking to maximize limited leave time, working with operators familiar with military schedules is key. Fish ‘n Fins offers the most comprehensive service in Palau, with hotel and dive packages that simplify planning. Their experienced guides - many with decades of experience navigating Palau’s currents and reefs - ensure safety and enhance wildlife encounters.
Daily diving typically ranges from $190-250 for two-tank dives, with 5-day packages (10 dives) costing approximately $950-1,250. These packages include boat transportation, tanks, weights, lunch, and professional guides. For those with limited time, even a 3-4 day trip can provide access to many of Palau’s iconic sites.
Additional costs to consider include:
Koror State Permit: $50 (valid for 5 days), includes access to the Rock Islands
Jellyfish Lake entry: $100 (includes the $50 Koror State Permit)
Equipment rental: $35-50 per day for full packages, with discounts for longer rentals
(Photo by Fish ‘n Fins)
Military-Friendly Travel Options
United Airlines’ daily service between Guam and Palau makes the destination particularly accessible for service members. Flights from mainland Japan and South Korea typically connect through Guam, allowing for relatively straightforward itineraries. Many service members take advantage of Space-A travel to Guam when available, then connect commercially to Palau.
Several hotels in Palau offer military discounts, and Fish ‘n Fins provides special rates for service members with valid military ID. These discounts can significantly reduce the overall cost of a diving vacation.
Worth Every Mile
Despite being just a short flight away, Palau delivers an exotic diving experience that rivals much more distant destinations. The combination of exceptional marine life, crystal-clear waters, and world-class dive operations makes it an ideal choice for service members looking to make the most of limited leave time.
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or planning your first tropical dive trip, Palau offers unparalleled underwater adventures that are remarkably accessible from military bases throughout the Western Pacific. As one Navy diver stationed in Yokosuka put it, “Having Palau just a few hours away makes me appreciate my Pacific assignment even more. It’s the diving equivalent of being stationed next to Yellowstone.”
For those serving in the Pacific, Palau represents not just a world-class diving destination, but an accessible adventure that can turn even a short leave period into an extraordinary underwater experience.