Palau and Yap

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA

Depart the USA on your independent flight to Palau.

Days 2-3: Koror, Palau

Upon your late-night arrival in Koror, transfer to the Palau Pacific Resort. After a morning at leisure and lunch, explore Nikko Bay. This well-sheltered bay holds pristine coral gardens with world-class snorkeling, hidden marine caves full of geologic wonders, and forgotten WWII bunkers and artifacts. In the afternoon, the divers in the group head for the WWII Jake seaplane wreck for an easy check-out dive in shallow waters. Return to your hotel for a welcome dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Rock Islands

Today, you will explore Palau's geologically-fascinating Rock Islands on a full-day guided boat tour with the chance to snorkel and dive among vibrant coral reefs. As you look up from the water, watch for wheeling white-tailed tropicbirds, fast flying sulfur-crested cockatoos, delicate fairy terns, slow-flying Palauan fruit bats, and many mixed flocks of feeding terns. Enjoy lunch on a white sand beach. Return to Koror for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 5: Kayaking / Embark Palau Aggressor II

Palau boasts more than 300 emerald islands surrounded by crystal-clear, turquoise lagoons. During the half-day kayaking tour (no experience necessary), you'll explore PalauÂ’s hidden network of marine lakes, mangrove channels, and tropical beaches. Birding and snorkeling are highlights. Then return to Koror to embark the Palau Aggressor II, your home for the next seven nights.

Days 6-10: Palau Expedition Stops

Given the expeditionary nature of this voyage, the day-by-day itinerary may vary. This region of the Pacific features some of the highest marine biodiversity in the world and daily dive and snorkel sites are based on weather conditions, tidal exchange, and skill levels. Palau is best known for its vertical walls adorned with gorgonians, soft corals, large predatory fish, and an abundance of reef fishes. Along with trips to some of the world’s top dive sites such as Blue Corner, Siaes Corner, Ulong Channel, Turtle Cove, Turtle Wall, Ngemelis Wall, and Big Drop Off, you will also explore less frequented sites in the inner lagoons and on the outer islands. Peleliu Island - Conditions permitting, you will spend a day diving, snorkeling, and exploring its outer reefs. Some of the most exhilarating drift and wall dives can be made from the island’s southernmost tip, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Philippine Sea. Jellyfish Lake - Named one of the Seven Biological Wonders of the World, this unique lake system is a prime example of biological isolation. Your naturalist guides present a detailed interpretation of this phenomenon and you’ll snorkel among the amazing, resident melon-sized jellyfish. Palau Wreck Diving - Palau is the final resting place for the “Lost Fleet of the Rock Islands,” more than 50 Japanese warships and airplanes sunk by U.S. dive-bombers during WWII, and you’ll dive and snorkel some of these wrecks during the week. Covered in soft corals, these wrecks provide a habitat for many species of marine life.

Day 11: Koror / Disembark Palau Aggressor II

After a final day exploring the islands of Palau, enjoy some free time in Koror before meeting at a local restaurant for dinner. Enjoy a festive cocktail party celebrating your time onboard the Aggressor. Disembark in the late evening and transfer to the airport for an early morning flight to Yap.

Day 12: Koror / Yap

Upon your very early arrival in Yap, transfer to the Manta Ray Bay Resort for a morning at leisure. After lunch, you depart by power boat for afternoon dive and snorkel excursions. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 13: MÂ’il Channel / Colonia / Ggal Village / Wulu Village

After breakfast, depart by power boat for the MÂ’il Channel where the hope is to snorkel and dive at close range with manta rays. Enjoy a traditional lunch on a lovely beach at the north end of Yap Island, and then visit the small capital city of Colonia. Tour the Yap High School and witness the remains of the first German cable station that connected the Philippines, Guam, and Shanghai with Europe. One hundred years ago it was possible to call from this very point in Yap to Berlin, Germany. Afterwards, at the Yap Institute for Natural Science, the director enlightens about YapÂ’s culture and the connections to Palau and its environment. A short bus ride from Colonia brings you to the village of Ggal and to one of the largest stone money banks in Yap where you have a chance to photograph the biggest and heaviest money in the world. You continue to a lookout point to view the Pacific Ocean on one side of the island and the Philippine Sea on the other side. At nearby Wulu Village, youÂ’ll see one of the best preserved menÂ’s houses in Yap. Enjoy dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 14: Maa Village / Kaday Village

This morning, visit Maa Village where you'll embark on a mangrove tour by kayak. Local guides lead the way, helping to identify the different types of mangroves and plants that are used for local herbal medicine. After lunch at the hotel, drive to Kaday Village and walk along ancient stone pathways, past fields of taro, and through dense forests to observe stone foundations from previous cultures. Visit the pebai, community house, and view wunbey, the flat stone platforms where the elder men of the village hold meetings. You'll be greeted with a cultural performance and have a chance to meet the local people and participate in some of their daily traditions. Farewell dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 15: Yap / USA

Depart on your independent early morning flight to the USA.