KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

the cut and drift along the edge of the plateau down to the corner, which is at about 25m.
Peleliu cut and corner are actually two different dive sites, but can be done as one dive.
The variation or combination of these dives is usually done with more experienced
divers who want to see some big action and who do not mind diving while swimming
against and fighting the rather fierce currents that are present here. Visibility is usually
excellent, ranging from 20m to 40m.
Bkul a Ngerngas (Turtle Cove)
This dive begins by dropping into small blue hole on top of the shallow reef flat. Walls of
hole have small soft corals, hydroids, and sponges. Drifting with the wall on your right
towards the corner, usually takes 20 minutes. There are large schools of fairy basslets
and small reef fish. Close to the corner there are schools of Thompson’s surgeon
fishes, pyramid butterflyfish, and redtooth triggerfish. Along the wall a large school of
black snapper may congregate with close view of the divers. A handful of gray reef and
whitetip reef sharks around the corner, with schools of big eye trevally. Giant trevally
cruise up in shallow water. Near the end of the dive, divers ascend to a plateau, which
is like a giant aquarium. Divers can expect to see beautiful anemones, small reef fish,
turtles, and sometimes a blacktip reef shark. Visibility is usually good, ranging from 10m
to 30m.
Siaes (SiaesTunnel)
Just east of Siaes Corner, is a straight swim down a vertical wall to the entrance of a
large tunnel. The tunnel is like a giant worm hole with three holes. Usually little current
is present inside the tunnel though it may pick up once the diver exits. Plenty of natural
light filters inside the tunnel though a flashlight is recommended to see soft corals, cup
corals, small fish, and inverts on walls and ceiling. There are many sea fans and black
coral in the window and exit of the tunnel where they can filter plankton out of the
current. The tunnel is rather wide, about 15m across, with a sandy/rubble bottom
sloping up from the entrance to exit. On the bottom, one can find various species of
dartfish, gobies, frogfish, and nudibranchs. The top of the tunnel has lionfish, Colin’s
angelfish, and burgess butterflyfish; many of which can be seen at no other dive sites.
The Wrecks of Palau
Most frequently visited wrecks are listed below with a brief description of each. ALL
wrecks are fragile, non-renewable heritage resources. Once damaged or disturbed they
cannot be replaced. Visit plane/ship wreck sites safely. Do not interfere with the site
and avoid accidental or deliberate damage to the wreck. Palau offers many World War
II sites to explore, never touch or take away any artifacts from these areas. Not only can
it be dangerous, it is illegal to remove or take anything from WWII or historical wrecks.
Strict penalties will be enforced. WWII wrecks are protected by national law under the
19 PNC Section 301, “Lagoon Monument Act”. For more information you can contact
the Bureau of Arts & Culture.
Bichu Maru
A 110m/367ft long army cargo ship that lies at 10m/30ft to starboard rail amidships.
Iro
A 140m/470ft long Japanese navy fleet oiler that is positioned as follows: bow in
20m/65ft, stern in 25m/85ft, forward mast up to 10m/35ft, and bottom at 40m/130ft.
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