About This Trip
- Contribute to shark monitoring as you explore Palau's beautiful reefs, with opportunities to see many shark species during mating season.
- Learn about shark biology, behavior, and conservation efforts through guided scuba dives, expert lectures, film screenings, and more.
- Dive Palau's world famous channels, corners, and reefs.
Palau's Shark Week is an annual event hosted by our partners Fish 'n Fins and the Micronesian Shark Foundation since 2001. The event coincides with the annual arrival of grey reef sharks to Palau for their mating season, and celebrates all shark species through shark diving, citizen scientist assisted shark counts, nightly lectures, documentary screenings, and more.
As a participant in this program you will enjoy daily diving at sites that are best situated to observe shark species including grey reef, blacktip, whitetip, silvertip, blue, tiger, and hammerhead. The program includes five days of diving, with extra dives and visits to Jellyfish Lake available. Dive sites will include many of Palau's most prominent locations, and our final day will feature a cultural tour on land.
Notes on Trip Costs
2021 dates to be announced. Please inquire. Group limit 12.
*Trip price does not include international airfare. There is a single supplement fee of $850. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
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Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support our non-profit partner Micronesian Shark Foundation, which facilitates the study of sharks throughout Micronesia, particularly in Palau, and provides science to support shark protection in Micronesia and beyond. Oceanic Society has led multiple trips per year to Palau and Micronesia since 1998, generating thousands of dollars in park fees that support the protection of Jellyfish Lake and the Rock Islands, both part of the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
The following is a sample itinerary from a previous year's Shark Week for informational purposes. The actual itinerary will vary based on Palau Shark Week's final programming.
Day 1: Arrival in Koror, Opening
Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening there is a Shark Week opening event featuring snacks and drinks with the Micronesian Shark Foundation and opening lectures.
Day 2: Theme: Grey reef shark nurseries
Depart in the morning to the first dive site, German Wall, followed by a second dive at New Drop Off. There will be an optional third dive offered as well. Evening lecture.
Day 3: Theme: Data collection and observations of shark movement patterns around blue corner
Early morning departure in time to reach Blue Corner, where we will make two dives. Afternoon free, or an optional third dive may be scheduled. Evening lecture.
Day 4: Theme: Shark populations of Ngemelis and Peleliu Reefs
Depart in the morning for two dives at Peleliu and Ngemelis Wall. Evening lecture.
Day 5: Theme: Shark congregation behavior during incoming and outgoing tides
Morning departure for dives at Saies Corner and Ulong Channel. Evening lecture.
Day 6: Theme: Silvertip shark observation / East coast shark populations
Morning departure for dives at Short Drop Off and Ngerchong Outside. Movie night.
Day 7: Palau Cultural Tour
Enjoy a land-tour of Palau on the final day of our program. In the evening there is a Gala event and festivities with food, drinks and a raffle
Day 8: Fly home
Depart Palau and return to home or continue on your journey.
For a detailed itinerary, please email expeditions@oceanicsociety.org
Accommodations
Participants will stay in comfortable double-occupancy hotel rooms in Koror for the duration of the trip.
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides: