Big Drop-Off

Big Drop-Off, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving tr...

Blue Corner

Blue Corner, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving tri...

Blue Holes

Blue Holes, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving trip...

German Channel

German Channel, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving...

New Drop-Off

New Drop-Off, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving tr...

Ngemelis Coral Garden

Ngemelis Coral Garden, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian...

Ngemelis Wall

Ngemelis Wall, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving t...

Turtle Wall

Turtle Wall, within the Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving tri...

Day boats typically include a packed lunch on a white-sand beach or a sheltered island, while evening dining centres on Koror. The region's catch of the day, grilled tuna, and taro-based dishes are staples, and several operators offer barbecue beach lunches. Vegetarian and Japanese options are widely available, and fresh tropical fruit is served after dives. Many boats also carry rice, noodles, and cold drinks, so you can refuel between the morning and afternoon dives without returning to town.

Palau Pacific Resort

West Plaza by the Sea

Carp Island Resort

Palau Royal Resort

The Ngemelis area and the Western Barrier Reef form the crown jewel of Palauan diving, a cluster of vertical walls and plateaus on the outer edge of the Rock Islands where the continental shelf plunges into the deep blue of the Philippine Sea. This is where Palau's reputation for high-voltage drift diving was earned, with Blue Corner and Blue Holes drawing divers from across the world. The walls are draped in enormous soft coral fans and encrusting sponges, and the currents that sweep the plateau summon schooling barracuda, jacks, grey reef sharks, and the occasional Napoleon wrasse. Beyond the icons, the region offers gentle coral gardens such as Ngemelis Coral Garden that are perfect for training and snorkelling. Reached by boat from Koror in roughly 45 to 75 minutes, the Western Barrier Reef rewards photographers and adrenaline seekers in equal measure, and most liveaboard itineraries build several days around its sites.

Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef

The Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef region is reached by boat from Koror, the dive hub of Palau. Day boats and liveaboards depart the Koror and Malakal marinas, with transit times varying by site. Some southern and northern regions are best experienced on multi-day liveaboard trips that time dives to the tidal windows.

Dive Sites in Ngemelis & Western Barrier Reef