Diving into Paradise: Dive Zone Tauranga Explores Palau
From the moment you arrive in Palau, it’s clear this is no ordinary destination.
Upon arrival every visitor is asked to take the Palau Pledge—a unique conservation promise stamped into your passport—reminding you that you're entering a place where nature comes first. And what a place it is.
In late May, Dive Zone Tauranga took a group of enthusiastic divers to this pristine Pacific paradise, and the experience exceeded all expectations.
Day one set the tone with spectacular dives along the Ulong Wall, where curious sharks, graceful turtles, and shimmering schools of reef fish greeted us in crystal-clear waters—a balmy 30°C. These initial “shake-down” dives gave everyone the chance to settle in and soak up the magic of Palau’s underwater world. Lunch and a safety stop on a secluded tropical island rounded out the perfect first day, and we knew right then we were in for something special.
As the week unfolded, the diving only got better. At the legendary German Channel, we had the rare pleasure of watching multiple manta rays circling a cleaning station. One, which we identified (from her belly markings) as Bianca, gave us an unexpected biology lesson—delivering a dramatic “bowel motion” that sparked a visible frenzy in the food chain. It was nature, raw and unfiltered.
Next came Blue Corner, Palau’s most famous dive site. Here, we hooked onto the reef using reef hooks and watched an unforgettable procession of sharks, barracuda, and swirling fish move effortlessly with the current. For many in our group, it was their first time “hooking in,” but our expert guides from Sam’s Tours Palau ensured the experience was not only thrilling but incredibly safe.
No trip to Palau is complete without a visit to Chandelier Cave—a surreal dive into a limestone cavern adorned with stalactites that glitter like chandeliers in the beam of your torch. Just minutes from the dive centre, this cave system features four breathtaking chambers that divers can explore by torchlight and air pockets.
Later in the week, we dove deep into Palau’s WWII history, exploring haunting wrecks now claimed by coral and sea life. The most impressive was the IJN Iro a 150-meter Japanese naval vessel sunk in 1944 with over 250 souls aboard. Resting at around 25 meters, its sheer size and the marine growth that has overtaken it made it almost indistinguishable from the reef at times. We also visited Jakes floatplane, now lying peacefully at just 10 meters—an easy and poignant dive for all skill levels.
Join the Adventure
Dive Zone Tauranga regularly runs guided dive trips to both local hotspots and world-class international destinations like Palau. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned diver, these trips deliver unforgettable underwater experiences.
Ready to dive into your next adventure?
Get in touch with Liz at liz@divezonetauranga.co.nz to join the Dive Travel Mailing List and be the first to hear about upcoming trips. To find out more or to book training or trips, visit divezonetauranga.co.nz