Comprising over 340 islands, Palau lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean and the Black Pearl Explorer is based out of Malakal Port on the western side of Koror Island. Over 1400 species of tropical fish have been recorded in the surrounding waters, alongside numerous sharks, manta rays and dolphins. Palau liveaboard trips explore a diverse array of underwater landscapes, from magical blue holes and wartime wrecks to swift-current channels and pristine coral reefs.

Accommodations:

The Black Pearl Explorer features 12 staterooms that can accommodate up to 24 guests. Each cabin features an ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, and a safety deposit box, as well as 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.

All cabins are equipped with televisions, reading lights, and wireless charging pod, as well as safes, kettles, and universal electricity sockets with USB ports. Eco-friendly soaps and shampoos are provided in the bathrooms, together with hairdryers.

Master Seaview Cabins: Located on the upper deck, there are two Master Seaview Cabins with double beds and private seating areas. They also have a luggage storage area and large windows.

Deluxe Ocean View Cabins: There are four Deluxe Ocean View Cabins on the main deck, which come with your choice of double or twin beds. They also have a luggage storage area and large windows.

Deluxe Twin Cabins: On the lower deck are six Deluxe Twin Cabins, each of which is configured with twin beds to accommodate two guests. They have a luggage storage area and porthole windows.

Dining:

All meals are included during Palau liveaboard trips on the Black Pearl Explorer and snacks are provided throughout the day. Weather permitting, a beach barbecue is enjoyed one evening on most itineraries. The chefs craft Palaun dishes and international favorites and can accommodate most dietary requirements with advance notification.

Drinking water, tea and coffee, and water are included on this Palau liveaboard trip while alcoholic beverages and soft drinks can be purchased for a surcharge.

Amenities:

On the lower deck of the Black Pearl Explorer are the six Deluxe Twin Cabins, plus the dive equipment room and the dive platform. On the main deck are the four Deluxe Ocean View cabins, as well as the indoor dining area, a bar, and the camera station. Outdoors is an alfresco salon and the hot tub.

On the pilot deck are the two Master Seaview Cabins, plus the main entertainment salon. Here you will also find an outside lounge area and the bar, from where you can enjoy panoramic views across Palau’s islands. On the top deck is a sunbathing area with loungers and benches. Kayaks and SUPs are available for guests to use.

Diving:

The Black Pearl Explorer is custom-designed for divers, with a waterline-level dive deck and indoor gear storage that can accommodate up to 24 divers. There are rinse tanks and hot showers on the dive deck, and all dives are made with two shaded aluminum tenders.

During Palau liveaboard trips aboard the Black Pearl Explorer, the vessel anchors in three different spots around Koror, Ulong Island, and Omekang Island. From here, all of the best dive sites can be accessed in less than 20 minutes, with the exception being Peleliu, which is 40 minutes away. Dive sites are selected based on the sea conditions and marine life activity, with the safety of guests always a top priority.

Up to four dives are offered each day, including a sunset/night dive. At least four professional guides are in the water on each dive, ensuring the group sizes are small and personalized. In addition to life jackets and life rafts, an individual recompression chamber is available onboard. Highly quality rental gear is available for a surcharge while Nitrox is provided for certified divers free of charge

The Black Pearl offers both 7 and 10-night itineraries, including “Spawning Specials” scheduled to coincide with the phases of the moon. These are incredible opportunities to witness the spawning aggregations of the bumphead parrotfish and the red snapper. While the golden jellyfish population in Jelly Fish Lake has declined significantly in recent years, snorkelling here is still included on Black Pearl Explorer itineraries to admire the resident moon jellyfish.

Diving in Palau is possible throughout the year, but the ideal time to visit is from October to May. During these months, water temperatures range from 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), so a 3mm wetsuit will usually suffice. From June to September, you can anticipate more rain and rougher seas, which may affect visibility.