KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

2.10 Dive Sites Descriptions
In a study conducted by Palau Conservation Society (2001), dive guides were asked to
identify the dive sites within the Rock Islands that they considered to be the most
commonly used and requested in the dive industry. The following section attempts to
outline the top dive sites that were identified by tour guides. There is no fishing, no take,
and no harvesting year round for all dive sites in the Ngemelis complex (Blue Corner
and Holes, New Drop Off, and Big Drop Off), German Channel, and Ngerumekaol.
Ngerumekaol (Ulong Channel)
Ulong is a false channel eroded into the barrier reef west of
Ulong Island. The dive is usually done on an incoming tide
wherein the wall is on the left, as divers approach the mouth
of the channel where gray reef and white tip sharks
congregate in the current. Along the wall, between 15m/50ft
to 18m/60ft a marvelous drop-off showcases schooling
spadefish, gold spotted trevally chasing bigeye scad,
dogtooth tuna as well as the shark species previously
mentioned. Along the channel one usually encounters
sharks that seem to be constantly on the lookout for food.
Looking up to the left divers will notice larger schools of
black snapper, big eye trevally, and black spot barracuda.
Upon reaching the mouth of the channel, divers usually hook
in at either side of the channel at a depth between 15 and 18
meters to watch some real shark action. Along with the sharks, tunas and a vast variety
of other pelagic fish are frequently seen hunting in the blue. A stop is usually done a few
minutes before drifting into the channel. The ride through the channel at an average
depth of 15 meters is like a high-speed amusement park ride with lots of small reef fish,
occasional sharks, threadfin pompano, various species of grouper, and Barramundi cod
found along the way. There are also soft corals, sea fans, and rarely seen lettuce coral.
The dive nears its end as the channel widens and deepens making an ideal spot for a
safety stop while still having plenty to observe. Divers may still see garden eels,
sleeping sharks on the bottom, and schools of barracuda with an occasional gray reef
shark cruising within them. There is a multitude of additional sea life, which may be
seen at any given time while diving the channel. The channel is closed each year
between the months of May-July due to the grouper aggregations. During this time
thousands of grouper move to this site to spawn around the new moon peaking during
June, July, and August. Overall visibility for this dive site is excellent ranging between
15m to 25m.
Yikrel a Ikulaol (Blue Corner)
Blue Corner is the most famous dive site in Palau due to consistent shark and other
pelagic fish action. The corner is a shallow plateau pointing westward within the
Philippine Sea. High currents running across the plateau generate an amazing food
web. Sharks aggregate at Blue Corner due to the high currents. Gray reef and Whitetip
sharks surf the currents allowing extremely close views for divers and photographers as
they are hooked into the reef. Sharks are generally found on the edge of the plateau,
along with king mackerel, dogtooth tuna, and giant and bluefin trevally, where the
currents are stronger. These species will often be spread out over the plateau during
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