In addition to its stunning coral gardens and walls, Palau is home to one of the largest collections of shipwrecks in Micronesia. As you navigate between its UNESCO World Heritage-listed islands, you’ll come face-to-face with an incredi-ble array of marine life and witness some unique natural spectacles. Palau’s world-class dive sites include Blue Corner and the German Channel, as well as a lake filled with harmless jellyfish.

Accommodations:

Solitude Gaia features nine cabins that can accommodate up to 18 guests. All have been decorated with neutral colors and elegant furnishings to create a time-less appeal.

In each cabin, there are ensuite bathrooms with hot and cold-water showers, plus ample shelf space to store luggage. Individually controlled air conditioning sys-tems, televisions, hairdryers, and safety deposit boxes are among the cabin amen-ities. Cleaning is conducted daily, and bed linens/towels are changed every three days.

Ocean View Staterooms: Encompassing 21 square meters, the two Ocean View Staterooms can be config-ured with king or twin beds and are located on the Upper Deck. They boast pri-vate balconies with magnificent views across the ocean.

Ocean View Cabins: There are five Ocean View Cabins, four of which are on the Main Deck and one on the Upper Deck. They can be configured either with king or twin beds and have views across the water from their large windows.

Interior Cabins: Although they don’t have windows, the two Interior Cabins are spacious at 24 square meters and come with generously sized bathrooms. They are located on the Lower Deck at the front of the vessel.

Dining:

Meals onboard Solitude Gaia are prepared by talented chefs and crafted using lo-cally sourced ingredients. They are served either in the interior dining room or under the stars on the alfresco deck. Both Palaun specialties and international fa-vorites are on the menu, with dietary requirements catered for with advance notification.

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

Amenities:

On the Main Deck is the lounge and a digital area where underwater images can be showcased, as well as the galley and an outside relaxation area. Four cabins are located at the front of the Main Deck while the two interior cabins are posi-tioned just below.

Steps lead to the Upper Deck where you’ll find the alfresco dining area, the bar, and a sun deck where you can soak up the sweeping ocean views. There are also three cabins on this deck, plus the spa where massages can be booked. There is an additional sunbathing area on the Navigation Deck, home to the bridge.

In between dives, you can take advantage of Solitude Gaia’s kayaks to explore the coastlines at your leisure or indulge in a massage. Optional land tours are al-so available that offer fascinating insights into the unique culture of Palau and its World War II history.

Diving:

Diving during this Palau liveaboard trip includes three or four daily dives (includ-ing night dives), all of which are led by highly experienced dive professionals. A custom-designed dive boat accesses the sites, with highlights including the Ger-man Channel, Jellyfish Lake, and the legendary Blue Corner.

Highly quality rental gear is available for a surcharge, as is enriched air nitrox for certified divers. Large 15-liter tanks can also be arranged for an additional cost. There’s a dedicated freshwater rinse tank for camera equipment on the dive deck, as well as showers for rinsing off when you return from your underwater explo-rations.
Dive itineraries onboard Solitude Gaia take in the underwater highlights of Palau, including explorations of Malakal Bay, Ulong Island, and Ngemelis Island. Some itineraries include the spawning events that take place around the new and full moons – witnessing the bumphead parrot fish spawning is a particular highlight!

Many of Palau’s dive sites are exposed to strong currents and using a reef hook is necessary on some dives. Solitude Gaia’s dive team will provide ample instruc-tion for those who are not familiar with using reef hooks and ensure you are comfortable doing so underwater.

Diving in Palau is possible all year long, but the best time to visit is from October to May. During this time, the water temperature hovers between 27 and 30°C (81 and 86°F), making a 3mm wetsuit a comfortable choice for most divers. An in-crease in rainfall and choppier seas can be expected from June to September and the visibility may not be quite as good.