Palau Spawning Expedition
Palau Spawning Expedition
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Photo: Image by Richard Barnden
Join a special departure with expert Richard Barnden aboard the S/Y Palau Siren to witness one of Palau’s mesmerising spawning events.
Palau's spawning aggregations occur within narrow lunar windows. Each departure is timed to a specific event and specific species, including moorish idols, twin spot snapper, sea bream, bumphead parrotfish and camouflage grouper.
Ten nights are spent aboard the S/Y Palau Siren, a traditional phinisi vessel built from ironwood and teak, diving up to four times a day, including the spawning events themselves. Reef and wreck diving between aggregations covers sites such as the German Channel, Ulong Island and Peleliu Island.
Our departures for this trip are as follows:
- 9 Feb 2027 Moorish idol & twin spot snapper (fully booked)
- 24 Apr 2027 Sea bream & bumphead parrotfish
- 24 May 2027 Camouflage grouper & bumphead parrotfish
- 3 Feb 2028 Moorish idol & twin spot snapper
- 14 Apr 2028 Sea bream & bumphead parrotfish
15 days from £7,595 inc. flights, accommodation, meals, diving, tour leader
Send Enquiry Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999
- Holiday type Group Tour
- Departure 24 Apr 2027, 24 May 2027, 3 Feb 2028 & 14 Apr 2028
- Tour Leader Richard Barnden
- Recommended Dive Experience Advanced Open Water with 50+ dives
- When to Go Feb, Apr, May
- Group Size 16 guests
Itinerary Highlights
- Witness a spawning aggregation timed to the lunar cycle
- Dive under the guidance of spawning expert Richard Barnden
- Encounter sharks drawn in to feed on the aggregations
- Explore Palau's finest reefs & wrecks
- Spend ten nights aboard the S/Y Palau Siren
- Limited small-group departures each year
Day-to-day itinerary
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Day 1
Depart the UK, Flying to Palau via Manila or a Similar Routing
Given the length of the journey, an overnight stop in Manila is worth considering before the final leg to Palau.
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Day 2
Arrive in Palau & Settle in Before Joining the Liveaboard
Depending on the chosen departure's flight schedule, one or more nights in a Palau hotel may be needed ahead of embarkation.
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Day 3
Board the S/Y Palau Siren & Meet the Group
Settle into your cabin, meet fellow divers, and get to know the expert guide leading the expedition.
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Days 4-12
Nine Days Chasing Palau's Spawning Aggregations & Diving its Reefs & Wrecks
Early mornings or late evenings, depending on the species in season, are spent seeking out the aggregations under expert guidance. Moorish idols and twin spot (or bohar) snapper spawn around the full moon; sea bream, bumphead parrotfish and camouflage grouper spawn around the new moon.
Aggregations can run to many thousands of fish and draw in grey reef sharks, lemon sharks, oceanic blacktips and bull sharks. Where an itinerary covers two species, a few days are typically spent on each.
Daily diving beyond the aggregations covers Palau's celebrated reefs and wrecks, at sites such as Malakal Harbour, Ulong Island, German Channel, Ngemelis Island and Peleliu Island, with white-tip and grey reef sharks, manta rays and dense coral cover among the regular sightings.
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Day 13
Disembark & Begin the Journey Home
The liveaboard adventure ends today. Depending on the departure, an extra night in Palau may be needed to connect with suitable flights.
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Day 14
A Full Day in Transit
Connecting flights continue the journey back towards the UK.
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Day 15
Arrive home
The final leg of the journey home brings the expedition to a close.
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Enquire about Palau Spawning Expedition
Speak to an expert. Call 01353 659999 Send Enquiry