Palau

Palau: The Ocean Paradise Known as “God’s Aquarium”

Often described as “God’s Aquarium,” Palau is one of the most extraordinary marine destinations on Earth.

Beneath its crystal-clear waters lies an ecosystem of astonishing richness: over 1,400 species of tropical fish, more than 700 types of coral, sharks, turtles, manta rays, and even whale sharks sharing the same waters. Palau is also home to a phenomenon found nowhere else—non-stinging jellyfish.

For decades, leading dive magazines have ranked Palau among the world’s best diving destinations, thanks to unmatched visibility and marine biodiversity. Just as important, Palau is globally respected for its commitment to conservation—here, the ocean is not scenery, but life itself.

Four Seasons Explorer: A New Way to Experience Palau

Palau’s islands and dive sites are spread across vast lagoons. Traditionally, travelers stay on the main island and endure long daily boat rides to reach remote locations.

The Four Seasons Explorer completely changes that experience.

Instead of commuting to the ocean, you live on it. Every sunrise, tide change, and dive site unfolds directly from this elegant liveaboard—turning travel time into exploration time.

A Floating Boutique Resort at Sea

The Four Seasons Explorer is a 39-meter luxury catamaran designed for comfort and intimacy. Onboard facilities include:

Sun decks and outdoor lounges
Indoor and open-air dining areas
A library and bar
Water sports center
A PADI Five-Star Dive Center

With a maximum of 27 guests onboard and an impressive 2:1 guest-to-staff ratio, service feels personal and unhurried. The crew includes marine biologists, dive professionals, chefs, spa therapists, and water sports experts—each deeply familiar with Palau’s waters.

Cabin & Suite Overview

Ocean View Cabins

Size: 20 m²
Quantity: 6 cabins
Beds: One king bed (220 cm) or twin beds (106 cm)
Max Occupancy: 2 adults
Features: En-suite bathroom, sofa
Deck: Lower deck
View: Pacific Ocean

Family Ocean View Cabins

Size: 20 m²
Quantity: 4 cabins
Beds:
- One king bed or twin beds
- One sofa bed (89 × 180 cm)
Max Occupancy: 2 adults + 1 child
Features: En-suite bathroom, sofa bed
Deck: Lower deck
View: Pacific Ocean

Explorer Suite

Located at the bow of the upper deck, the Explorer Suite offers panoramic windows and a private sun deck.

Size: 45 m²
Quantity: 1 only
Beds:
- One king bed (220 cm)
- Large sofa bed (161 × 195 cm)
Max Occupancy: 3 adults
Features: Bathtub, walk-in closet, living area, private deck
View: Full panoramic Pacific Ocean

Dining: A Culinary Journey at Sea

Dining onboard the Four Seasons Explorer is an experience worth savoring.

The chef team highlights fresh Palauan and Pacific ingredients—locally caught fish, tropical flavors, and light yet creative sauces. Menus rotate between Asian and Western cuisine, ensuring variety throughout the voyage.

Meals can be enjoyed indoors, on deck with ocean breezes, or under the stars at night—where soft lights, calm seas, and beautifully plated dishes create unforgettable evenings.

Diving in Palau: One of the World’s Greatest Underwater Realms

Palau is home to one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World and protects over 500,000 square kilometers of marine reserve.

The shallow draft of the Four Seasons Explorer—just 1.9 meters—allows access to reefs and lagoons unreachable by larger vessels.

Onboard is a fully equipped PADI Five-Star Dive Center, featuring:

Nitrox diving systems
Two dedicated dive tenders
Two high-speed inflatable boats
Premium gear from Scubapro, Cressi, and Olympus
Multilingual dive guides

Dive schedules typically include two morning dives and one afternoon dive, with optional sunrise dives, night dives, and wreck explorations. Each day’s plan adapts to currents, marine life activity, and diver preferences.

Non-divers are equally welcome—guided snorkeling sessions with top-tier equipment make Palau accessible to everyone.

Jellyfish Lake: Swimming with a Living Wonder

Located on Eil Malk Island, Jellyfish Lake is unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Millions of golden jellyfish and moon jellyfish—completely harmless—drift through this isolated marine lake. Snorkeling among them feels surreal, peaceful, and deeply memorable.

Inner Coral Garden: A Calm, Colorful Reef

This gentle reef slope is ideal for relaxed dives and snorkeling. Expect vibrant staghorn and table corals, schools of reef fish, clownfish, and occasional sea turtles or cuttlefish.

With calm currents and excellent visibility, it’s a favorite for long, unhurried swims. Lucky visitors may even spot leopard sharks or ghost pipefish.

Shark City: Eye-to-Eye with Ocean Predators

As the name suggests, Shark City is one of Palau’s best places to observe sharks.

Clear water and steady currents create ideal conditions for watching these graceful predators glide past. Despite their reputation, the sharks here are non-aggressive, smaller in size, and no incidents involving divers have ever been recorded.

German Channel: History Beneath the Surface

The German Channel dates back to Palau’s period under German colonial rule before World War I.

It was manually dredged to allow ships to transport phosphate from the islands to open sea. Today, the channel attracts manta rays and large fish, turning a historical artifact into one of Palau’s most iconic dive sites.

Blue Corner: Palau’s Legendary Dive Site

Blue Corner is Palau’s most famous dive location.

Strong currents bring in massive schools of fish—tuna, reef sharks, and countless tropical species swirl above dramatic coral formations. It’s thrilling, powerful, and often cited as a once-in-a-lifetime dive.