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Dive Review of Aggressor Fleet in
Micronesia/Palau

Aggressor Fleet: "Bucket list trip!", Apr, 2015,

by Danee Hubbs, WA, US ( 2 reports with 1 Helpful vote). Report 8481.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments I left from Seattle and flew China Air from SFO to Taipei. For some reason they were only interested in the weight of my carry-on and not the checked bag. Consequently my carry-on was deemed too heavy so I was asked to remove my laptop. They re-weighed it, gave me the OK tag and watched me put the laptop right back into the bag! That was odd enough but the same weighing routine happened at the gate where each passenger had to stop at a bathroom scale and weigh their carry-on - even after pointing out the approval tag from the agent! Bad beginning. People were crammed in, attendants spent all their time in the galley with the curtain closed enjoying their dinner from the first class section. When those of us in steerage were finally given breakfast before landing it was barely edible.

Taipei to Koror was shorter and much more tolerable but flying Delta home through Narita was a huge improvement. I had a 7 hour layover in Narita so purchased a day pass to the Delta lounge ($24) and enjoyed clean bathrooms, a constantly changing buffet (no additional charge) and great wifi to catch up on email.

The Tropic Dancer was delightful. It went to dry dock for a major overhaul shortly after I was on it but I found it not at all lacking in comfort. All diving is from a big skiff and you gear up on the skiff. At the time "Sherman" was our skiff and while not a beauty it was very comfortable and reliable. Each diver has their own cold water bottle for after each dive. A well run operation indeed. When you return to the mother boat it is lifted hydraulically to the deck and you disembark easily leaving all gear behind you. Hot water deck showers are always a favorite and each guest has a specified towel so you don't have to share with the guy who blows his nose into a towel which is then just thrown into the dryer for the next dive.

Diving was diverse - war wrecks, drift dives, hook-in dives and all are full of marine life. It is a lush area thanks to the Palau government's interest and insistence on conservation. A land tour is also available on Peleliu and is a must if you have interest in WWII and the Pacific.

Crew on board the Tropic Dancer are friendly, helpful and joined us for dinner after all the guests were served. Food, by the way, was first rate thanks to Cam, the incomparable chef when I was there. Jimmy, one of the dive guides, is at least half fish and is the most comfortable person I have ever seen in the water. He found everything! Ike, one of the captains, has been in Palau forever and knows everything. Scott, another captain, has been in several locations with the Aggressor Fleet and gives everyone great confidence. We had one very inexperienced diver who was annoying some other divers badly and the crew managed to help her improve her buoyancy each time we dove. They were wonderful!

I'm heading there again in June 2016 with some other friends and look forward to it immensely. Stopping this time in Yap for a few days prior to see the giant mantas. Both of these are definite bucket list trips and Palau so far has definitely lived up to my expectations. Thanks to Aggressor and the Tropic Dancer. You made my week one of spectacular diving and great company.
Websites Aggressor Fleet   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving [Caribbean, Red Sea, Maldives
Closest Airport Koror Getting There Don't use China Airlines through Taipei. It was uncomfortable and poorly serviced. That airline is now off my list.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy, currents
Water Temp -°F / -°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility - Ft/ - M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 1 hour bottom time due to skiff pickup and we were asked to stay together though spread out.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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