Palau Blue Corner

Palau Blue Corner: A Diver's Paradise

Palau's Blue Corner is arguably the most famous dive site in Palau, renowned for its incredible concentration of marine life and exhilarating drift diving conditions. It's a meeting point of powerful currents, attracting a spectacular array of predators and pelagic species.

Dive Details

Depth & Visibility

• Typical Depth Range: 15-40 meters (50-130 feet)
• Average Visibility: 20-40 meters (65-130 feet)

Water Temperature

Water temperatures in Palau are generally warm year-round, but do fluctuate slightly:

• Average Temperature: 27-30°C (81-86°F)

Difficulty Level

Advanced. Blue Corner is typically considered an advanced dive due to the strong currents that can vary in intensity. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving techniques and have good buoyancy control. Some experience with reef hook use is highly recommended.

Marine Life

Blue Corner is a showcase of Palau's biodiversity. Divers can expect to encounter:

• Sharks (Gray Reef Sharks, White Tip Reef Sharks, Black Tip Reef Sharks, and occasionally Hammerheads)
• Large schools of fish (Barracuda, Jacks, Snapper)
• Napoleon Wrasse
• Turtles
• Eagle Rays
• Mantas
• Large Groupers
• A vibrant coral wall teeming with smaller reef fish

Best Time to Visit

Palau enjoys relatively consistent weather throughout the year, making it a year-round diving destination. However, the dry season is generally considered the best time to visit:

• Ideal Months: October to May (dry season) offer the best visibility and calmer seas.

What Makes It Special

Blue Corner's unique features include:

• The "Corner" Topography: The reef forms a pronounced corner, creating a natural gathering point for marine life.
• Strong Currents: The currents bring nutrient-rich waters, fueling the incredible biodiversity.
• Reef Hook Diving: Divers often use reef hooks to secure themselves to the reef and observe the action in the current.
• Spectacular Predator Activity: Blue Corner is known for its impressive displays of predator behavior, particularly shark feeding frenzies.

Practical Tips

Before diving Blue Corner, consider the following:

• Dive Certification: Ensure you have an advanced open water certification or equivalent, and experience with drift diving.
• Reef Hook: Familiarize yourself with proper reef hook usage before the dive.
• Dive Briefing: Pay close attention to the dive briefing provided by your dive operator, as conditions can change rapidly.
• Buoyancy Control: Excellent buoyancy control is essential to avoid damaging the coral and to stay at the desired depth.
• Listen to Your Dive Guide: Follow your dive guide's instructions carefully, as they are experienced with the local conditions.
• Respect the Environment: Avoid touching or disturbing any marine life.