Palau Liveaboard

Dive at Palau, Micronesia

Palau is home to some of the best scuba diving sites in the world, and a 10-night liveaboard trip is the perfect way to experience them all.
One must-see destination is Blue Corner, where strong currents attract an abundance of marine life, including sharks, barracudas, and schools of fish. Another popular site is German Channel, where manta rays can often be spotted. The Ulong Channel is another highlight, featuring a narrow passage between two islands with incredible coral formations and diverse marine life. The Chandelier Cave, with its unique underground chambers and air pockets, is also not to be missed. For those seeking a unique experience, Jellyfish Lake is home to thousands of harmless jellyfish that can be swum amongst.

The Boat

Crafted to meet the rigorous standards of the International Integrity Stability Standard for yachts surpassing 46-metres, M/Y Black Pearl was constructed using only the finest materials and outfitted with the latest in navigation, safety, and scuba diving systems and equipment.

As you journey across the crystal-clear waters of Palau, our state-of-the-art design and cutting-edge functionality will exceed your expectations.

Technical Information

Length: 46.8 m (153 ft)
Beam: 8.6 m (28 ft)
Draft: 4.2 m (13.8 ft)
Year Built: 2019
Guest Capacity: Up to 24 guests
Cabins: 2 Master Seaview, 4 Seaview, 6 Deluxe
Engines: 2 × Cummins (477 kW each)
Tenders: 2 × 9 m aluminium tenders (up to 12 divers each)
Fresh Water System: Reverse osmosis – approx. 30 tons per day

Itineraries

Black Pearl features three itineraries, each designed around the best diving available during specific periods.

1. Best of Palau

The “Best of Palau” itinerary on M/Y Black Pearl is a 7- to 10-night liveaboard adventure exploring Palau’s world-class dive sites. Guests dive up to four times a day at iconic locations such as Ulong Channel, German Channel with its manta cleaning stations, the thrilling drift dives at Blue Corner and Blue Holes, and dramatic walls like Big Drop Off and New Drop Off. Along the way, you’ll encounter abundant marine life — from sharks and rays to turtles and vibrant coral gardens — with optional snorkeling at Jellyfish Lake and historic WWII wreck dives rounding out the experience. The journey departs from and returns to Malakal Port, offering an unrivalled combination of luxury cruising and top-tier scuba diving in Palau’s pristine waters.

Signature Route

2. Palau Bumphead Spawning

The Palau Bumphead Spawning (New Moon) itinerary on M/Y Black Pearl is a specialised liveaboard dive adventure timed with the lunar cycle to witness one of the ocean’s most extraordinary natural spectacles: thousands of bumphead parrotfish gathering to spawn around the new moon. Divers enjoy multiple dives daily at world-class Palau sites, culminating in early-morning dives to observe the dramatic courtship and mass spawning behaviour of these majestic fish — a breathtaking underwater event that’s both rare and unforgettable. This itinerary blends the thrill of this unique biological phenomenon with the rich biodiversity and pristine reefs of Palau’s Rock Islands.

New Moon

3. Palau Red Snapper Spawning

The Palau Snapper Spawning (Full Moon) itinerary aboard M/Y Black Pearl is a 7- to 10-night liveaboard adventure timed with the full moon to witness one of the ocean’s most dramatic natural spectacles: the annual spawning aggregation of red (twin spot) snappers. Divers head out for early-morning dives at prime sites where thousands of snappers rise from the reef and erupt into the blue in a spectacular mating display, often attracting bull sharks, blacktips, and other predators circling the frenzy. Alongside this unforgettable event, the itinerary explores Palau’s world-class dive sites — from Blue Corner and German Channel to Ulong Channel and Jellyfish Lake — offering rich biodiversity and thrilling dives throughout the cruise.

Full Moon

What Else?

Much about diving. All about comfort and luxury.

Accommodation

Ensuite Cabins with Hot Shower
Twin Share Cabins with Beds 2000 x 1200 x 400 cm
Hassle-Free Keypad Door Lock Systems
Basic Room Amenities: 2-in-1 Shampoo and Bath Gel, Separate Towel Hangers for Bath and Face Towels, Clothes Hooks, Hair Dryer, Safety Deposit Box, USB Ports for Charging, Inter-Room Communication System

Diving

2 x tenders each carrying up to 12 divers/tender
Boats are all with safety equipments.

Vessel Amenities

Main Deck Outdoor Seating and Whirlpool
Main Deck Outdoor Bar
Spacious Indoor Dining Area with Cafè and Bar
Business Centre
Camera station
Sun Deck Seating and Sun Beds

About Palau

Palau, located in the western Pacific Ocean in the heart of Micronesia, is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier diving destinations. Situated between the Philippines and Indonesia, this remote island nation offers pristine reefs, dramatic underwater topography, and exceptional marine biodiversity. Most liveaboard and resort diving departs from Koror, the country’s main hub and gateway to Palau’s legendary dive sites.

Palau’s waters encompass an expansive marine sanctuary featuring over 50 renowned dive sites, including steep walls, coral gardens, channels, caves, and WWII wrecks. Diving is available year-round, with warm water temperatures, excellent visibility, and consistently healthy reefs. The contrast of vibrant coral formations against deep blue walls and channels creates some of the most striking underwater scenery in the Pacific.

Strong tidal currents flowing through Palau’s channels bring nutrient-rich waters from the open ocean, attracting an extraordinary concentration of marine life. Divers can encounter sharks on nearly every dive, along with manta rays, turtles, schooling barracuda, jacks, snappers, and vast schools of reef fish. Iconic sites such as Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel, and the Rock Islands showcase Palau’s reputation for high-energy drift dives and thrilling pelagic action. While land-based operators access selected areas, liveaboards provide the ultimate Palau experience, allowing divers to reach remote sites, follow lunar-timed spawning events, and explore the full diversity of Palau’s underwater world in a single journey.

Getting There

Palau is accessed via Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (Koror – ROR), the country’s main international gateway. Despite its remote location in Micronesia, Palau is well connected by regular flights from Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong.

Liveaboard vessels embark from Malakal Port, located just minutes from Koror, ensuring a smooth and convenient transfer from airport to vessel and a seamless start to the diving adventure.