2 miles from Malakal Harbour
The buoyed channel through the reef is always more than four metres deep and gives access to the main yacht anchorage in Palau. Leave the shipwreck and the small island to port and pick up the singular RBYC welcome mooring on arrival. Don’t attempt the passage west near the wreck.
All the moorings are owned, so check to be sure you’re grabbing an RBYC visiting yachts’ mooring. Superyachts can now tie up stern-to the dock next to Sam’s Tours. Sam’s hopes to develop this dock area into their own marina and resort for visiting superyachts. Alternatively, anchor between the island and the docks on broken coral in 15-18 metres before negotiating a private mooring ashore.
Another option is the lake-like shelter found in the ‘Outer Sanctum’ or the ‘Hole in the wall’ in the Ngerchaol lagoons, but do not enter without first acquiring local knowledge.
To the east are the Royal Belau Yacht Club, busy Sam’s Tours and the Shell fuel station docks. Dinghies are welcome alongside as are larger yachts after the morning rush of dive boats have departed. The fuel dock depth is 2-3 metres and is usually vacant between 9.30am and 3pm. When taking fuel and water beware the nasty reef just 15 metres to the north side.
The RBYC has cheap (US$25) membership and all the services you would expect. A PADI 5 Star Dive Shop and Eco-Tour Company, full amenities to visiting cruising boats and super yachts, including agent services, moorings, dinghy dock, fuel dock, potable water, bar and restaurant, wi-fi, mail-drop service, private showers and vessel entry clearance.
The Bottom Time Bar and Restaurant at Sam’s offers excellent food, drink and company. The bar is the perfect people-watching platform during the daily flurry of dive boats heading to, and from, arguably some of the best diving locations on the planet. Best to join Sam’s tours to the dive spots and don’t miss the jellyfish lake. Click here for information on RBYC and Sam’s Tours.
Click to view Palau photo gallery.
