Angaur Island Wall Dive Site
Site Overview
Angaur Island Wall, within the Peleliu & Angaur (Southern Outer Reefs) of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving trip. A pristine, little-dived wall off Angaur with healthy corals, schooling jacks, and grey reef sharks. Geographically the site features wall and drop-off formations built from coral and rock substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 8 metres to a maximum depth of about 40 metres, with an average working depth near 22 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 20 to 45 metres, while water temperatures hold between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The marine life is the headline attraction. Divers routinely encounter Schooling Jack (Carangidae), Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii), Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus), alongside dense reef fish, invertebrates, and the soft and hard corals that blanket the reef. The mix of nutrient-rich currents and Palau's protected status makes Angaur Island Wall one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Angaur Island Wall is best enjoyed as part of a boat programme out of Peleliu, and it rewards wide-angle photographers, naturalists, and adrenaline-seeking drift divers alike. The Palau Protected Areas Network helps keep the reef pristine, so divers are asked to maintain perfect buoyancy and respect the fragile coral at all times.
Dive Briefing
"Your dive at Angaur Island Wall begins with a controlled descent along the mooring line or wall, depending on the current on the day. You drift along the wall, admiring the untouched coral and the schooling fish that patrol the drop-off. Plan to spend the deepest portion of the dive along the wall between 8 and 22 metres, where the coral is most colourful and the larger fish congregate. Hook in if current builds, keep your DSMB ready, and ascend as a group. Mid-water, watch the blue beyond the wall for passing Schooling Jack (Carangidae) and other pelagics, and keep an eye on your no-decompression limits given the depths involved. Ascend slowly with a safety stop at five metres to off-gas safely. Because Angaur Island Wall can experience moderate currents and occasionally reduced visibility after heavy rain, dive with a surface marker buoy and always follow your operator's site-specific briefing and emergency plan."
Signature Marine Life
Schooling Jack (Carangidae)
Best: Year-round
Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Best: November, December, January
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Best: Year-round
Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii)
Best: Year-round
Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current on the wall
- Depth to 40 metres
- Remote location with long transit
- Boat traffic above
- Sun exposure on the ride
- Limited shelter if conditions change
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Angaur Island Wall is aimed at intermediate divers holding at least a Advanced Open Water certification, and it suits those comfortable managing moderate currents and maintaining neutral buoyancy along vertical terrain. Photographers, marine-life enthusiasts, and experienced drift divers will find it especially rewarding, while divers seeking pristine, uncrowded reefs will love it, while novices can try the beaches. Divers who prefer calm, shallow, zero-current conditions should choose one of Palau's sheltered lagoons or house reefs instead, and anyone without the recommended certification should complete a check-out dive with a local operator first.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers on liveaboards can enjoy Angaur's beaches and lighthouse while divers are on the wall.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Ocean Hunter III
- Palau Siren
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Palau Pacific Resort
Arakabesan, Koror • 8km away
West Plaza by the Sea
Koror • 9km away