Dive Review of Palau Siren in
Micronesia/Palau

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Palau Siren: "Palau New Moon Bumphead Parrotfish Spawning Trip", Nov, 2023, by Valera Sakhnenko, ON, CA ( Sr. Reviewer 11 reports with 13 Helpful votes). Report 12854 has 1 Helpful vote.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	The primary motivation behind choosing the Palau Siren for our diving advanture was the highly anticipated New Moon Bumphead Parrotfish Spawning event, coupled with the renowned expertise of The Unique Ocean Expeditions. Opting for a 10-day itinerary over a 7-day one was fueled by the expectation of encountering this captivating event in three separate dives. Regrettably, we were granted only a single opportunity to witness the New Moon Bumphead Parrotfish Spawning, which left us disappointed. Setting aside the setback of the spawning event, the overall diving experience proved satisfying. Abundant sightings of sharks, turtles, and a few mantas, along with healthy coral and intriguing underwater landscapes, made for an enjoyable underwater exploration. The highlight of the journey was witnessing of the octopus mating ritual, shown in my film, "Octopus Mating Ritual, A Sea Love Story": [youtu.be link]. The Palau Siren, overall, is a well-maintained vessel. Cabins are spacious and convinient. Yet, the lounge area's low ceiling proved inconvenient, and the extensive use of the lounge by the boat staff was somewhat unusual. The skiffs provided convenient transportation, though a few slippery rungs on the ladders needed attention. It was surprising to find no dedicated helper on our skiff, leaving the captain to juggle assisting divers with equipment while navigating the vessel. The boat's crew was friendly and helpful, but our dive guide seemed to meet the basic requirements only. With a high 'divers per guide' ratio, especially considering everyone carried a camera, competition for filming critters was so high that I abandoned the idea of shooting macro after the first day due to this challenge. Unfortunately, the culinary aspect, particularly for a vegan perspective, fell short, warranting a maximum rating of 3 stars. It's essential to highlight the considerable emphasis placed on boat safety, including fire safety, during the expedition, particularly through comprehensive training sessions. Notably, participants received thorough instruction on the proper usage of safety vests, ensuring everyone was well-versed in essential safety measures. Furthermore, there was a detailed demonstration of all safety features in each cabin, providing a comprehensive understanding of the vessel's safety protocols. In conclusion, despite the hiccups, the overall diving experience, diverse marine life encounters, and the memorable octopus mating ritual made the trip worthwhile, albeit with room for improvement in certain aspects.
Websites	Palau Siren
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Caribbean, North Sulawesi, Raja Ampat, Banda Sea, Komodo, Alor, Flores, Bali, Hawaii, Andaman Sea, Philippines, Fiji, Red Sea, Maldives, Thailand, Andaman Sea
Closest Airport	Koror	Getting There	Taipei - Koror
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy, dry	Seas	calm, choppy, currents, no currents
Water Temp	28-29°C / 82-84°F	Wetsuit Thickness	5
Water Visibility	30-100 Ft/ 9-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	60 min, 50 bar
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	There were several camera spots and ample power outlets onboard. However, with nearly everyone equipped with a camera, there was noticeable competition for space. Fortunately, I secured my own coffee table within the lounge area, which adequately met my needs.

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of Palau Siren in Micronesia/Palau

Palau Siren: "Palau New Moon Bumphead Parrotfish Spawning Trip", Nov, 2023,

Photos Submitted with this Report

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Palau Siren in
Micronesia/Palau