Micronesia

19 February – 2 March 2012

12 Nights Ex Cairns from $3,345 Diver – $2,469 Non Diver

Tour leader: Kel Bradley

The Republic of Palau is Micronesia’s western most island chain. The tightly clustered Palau archipelago, consists of over 200 islands covering a distance of around 125 miles.

Palau is the home to one of the world’s unique phenomena, the Rock Islands. The Rock Islands are Palau’s crowning glory. More than 200 of these jungle-topped knobs of limestone dot the waters for a 20 mile (35km) stretch south of Koror. Their bases, having been worn away by tidal action and grazing sea creatures, are narrower than their tops, causing them to look like emerald-hued mushrooms rising from the turquoise sea.

Palau has three ocean currents converging in its waters to bring in some of the most varied and dazzling marine life in the world. Palau is also blessed with a rich diversity of plants & birdlife. Tropical forest covers much of the islands, species of trees include ironwood, banyan, coconut palm and pandanus.

Diving in Palau

Palau’s warm tropical waters are legendary amongst divers for their dramatic sheer walls rising from the depths to within inches of the surface and capped with thriving coral reefs. Palau is home to over 1,300 species of fish and more than 700 species of coral.

World renowned for its marine bio-diversity and abundance of large pelagic animals, Palau also offers avid wreck divers one of Micronesia’s largest collections of WWII shipwrecks.

From current swept plateaus to sheltered coral gardens, Palau offers a wonderful range of diving for every level of interest and skill.

The majority of diving in Palau is drift diving along the walls, plateaus and coral gardens of the outer reef, with the dive boat following along from the surface to meet you upon ascent.

Experience the sites that make Palau one of the top dive destinations in the world: the sharks of Blue Comer, the manta rays of Devilfish City and German Channel, and the coral reefs and stunning drop offs teeming with marine life.

Palasia Hotel

Situated in the heart of Palau, the Palasia Hotel provides easy access to restaurants, shopping centers, souvenir shops, open beaches, tourist spots, and other public facilities of the island.

The hotel has a total of 165 rooms and suites, with balconies that provide a spectacular view of both the Rock Islands and Northern Bay.

Tour Package Includes:

• Return flights Cairns / Koror / Cairns via Guam flying with Continental Airlines
• 10 nights twin accommodation at Palasia Hotel, Koror
• Daily breakfast in Palau
• 14 Boat Dives with Sams Dive Tours – Palau
  Includes: tanks, weights, dive guide services, lunch and hotel transfers (based on 2 boat dives/day)
  Bonus Inclusions: Snorkel stop at Jellyfish lake, 1 Free 3rd dive at Chandelier Cave, Free Nitrox for Nitrox certified divers, Complimentary use of reef hooks, Unlimited dives on Sams Macro Wall, ‘Sam’s Logo T-Shirt’
• Full day Kayak Tour including lunch, guide, all equipment
• Day use room at Bayview Hotel, Guam
• 1 night twin accommodation at Cairns Colonial Club
• Return airport transfers
• Australian Departure taxes ( Value: $225.00 – subject to change )

Cost Does Not Include:

• Travel Insurance, Personal spending monies, Excess luggage charges
• Passport, visa fee’s & Micronesia entry visa (approx USD $14)
• Palau departure tax fee of USD $35
• Palau Dive Permits : USD $60

Conditions Apply: Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in USD exchange rates. Based on 2011 rates and subject to change on release of 2012 rates.

Credit Card Payments:
Should you choose to pay via Visa card or Master card a surcharge fee of 1% will be applied to the cost of your holiday
Should you choose to pay via Amex or Diners card a surcharge fee of 3% will be applied to the cost of your holiday.

Booking requirements: To secure your place on this expedition, you will need to complete a booking form and return it together with a non refundable deposit amount of $500.00 per person. Full payment is due 60 days prior departure

For bookings or more information please contact St George Underwater Centre

Trip arranged through: