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Fish ‘n Fins Dive Shop
Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking and Land Tours with Fish ‘n Fins, Palau's Pioneer Dive Shop. The Fish 'n Fins Family invites you to join us on our explorations and discoveries of the world's best dive sites and WWII wrecks here in Palau. Dive your dreams with the most professional and safest dive shop. You will always have at least one dive guide on your boat, often an international team of two, who will lead you in the water on every dive, helping you identify fish, showing you underwater secrets, and answering all your questions about Palau.

DIVE OPERATION
Boats
You did not travel all the way to Palau to dive, just to be piled up in the same boat with 20 other divers. At Fish 'n Fins we limit the number of divers per boat. Explore our reefs with few divers around you. All our boats have cushioned seating, protective overhead covering, and dry storage compartments. We have boats measuring: 35 feet 2 X 225 HP 4-stroke engines 35 feet 2 X 225 HP 4-stroke engines 32 feet 2 X 200 HP engines 29 feet 2 X 150 HP engines 29 feet 2 X 150 HP engines 27 feet 2 X 150 HP engines  

Tanks and Air
Fish 'n Fins offers the diver a wide variety of Air Tanks: 80 (our standard), 100, 70, and 63 cubic feet, which are all painted blue. Our NITROX tanks are aluminum 80's painted in the NITROX yellow/green color. We have Standard and DIN valves availableand we guarantee your tanks will always be filled to their maximum working capacity. Fish 'n Fins is very proud of its Air Quality. It is analyzed at set intervals by Trace Analytics, Inc., 15768 Hamilton Pool Rd., Austin, TX 78738, Tel: (800) Air-1024. And, is in compliance with the Compressed Breathing Air Specifications CGA G-7.1-1997 Grade E(2). 

Dive Guides
Our dive guides are all trained to at least the PADI Divemaster level and are underwater naturalists. They hail from Germany, Japan, Russia, USA, Philippines, Israel, U.K and Holland. However, we also have made a commitment since 1972 to hire and train local Palauan dive guides, so the majority of our guides and all our boat captains are Palauan. Having grown up around the reef, they act as invaluable sources of knowledge, and ambassadors into Palauan culture as well. The Dive Guides are there to ensure you have a fun and safe trip. 

 Itinerary
We have a flexible dive itinerary customized according to our divers' wishes and our knowledge of the best dive sites for the day's conditions. A morning dive trip leaves around 8:30am and returns anywhere from 3:30-5:30pm, earlier or later at your request. In between two dives, take a one-hour surface interval in a beautiful snorkel spot where you can explore around the Rock Islands. Lunch is usually after the two dives--we have a picnic on a Rock Island beach. Without paying extra, you can stop and snorkel at the intact and shallow Zero plane, the giant Tridacna clams, or ask your driver about the Milky Way--you'll be in for a traditional treatment: Palauan white clay masks with a private lagoon for a spa We make sure everyone visits where they want to go. Enjoy the scenic boat ride including WWII relics, ancient red cave paintings, and the famous Rock Island Arch. Sit back, relax, and let us take you to the best sites Palau has to offer. 

Safety
We carry an O2 kit on each boat. Our dive guides and boat captains are specially trained in handling all diving and boating emergencies. One or more dive guides will enter the water with you on each dive to guarantee your safe and enjoyable dive. We make safety our number one priority and have years of experience--since 1972!    

Dive Training
We offer all PADI courses and specialties, from Discover Scuba to an Instructor course. A full list is available at http://padi.com/.. Our experienced instructors come from Palau, Germany, Japan, Russia, USA, Philippines, Israel and Holland. We craft an individual schedule with each student, so we are very flexible. Fish 'n Fins is both a PADI 5* Gold Palm IDC Center and an IANTD Nitrox facility. All PADI, IANTD and TDI dive coursesTechnical Diving & Nitrox 32% for freeProfessional Photo ShopEmail Service & Internet AccessSnorkeling, Family Trips & Sport FishingOutrigger Canoe, Kayak & 4x4 Land ToursAnnual Events: Shark Week 2006/2007 & Wrexpedition 

 Palau’s Dive Sites: The Must See List
Blue CornerChandelier CaveUlong Channel Blue HolesNew Drop Off The Reef Hook Experience Snorkeling Jellyfish LakeClam City  More Dive Sites: German ChannelVirgin Blue HoleTurtle WallTurtle CoveNgedbus Coral GardenPeleliu Wall & CutYellow WallPeleliu ExpresswayNgerchongBig Drop OffSiaes TunnelShark CitySiaes Corner West PassageDevilfish CityTemple Of DoomShort Drop Off  WWII Wrecks Chuyu MaruAmatzu MaruJake SeaplaneIroHelmet WreckSataKamikaze MaruGozan MaruBuoy # 6 WreckRyoku MaruNagisan MaruZero FighterUSS Perry 

KAYAK
Is there any better way to see the Rock Islands than by gliding silently through Palau's clear waters on a kayak? Explore the labyrinth of caves, tunnels, and lakes without disturbing the diverse wildlife around you. Our special tours are led by naturalist guides and include visits to Nikko Bay, Bat Cave, the Rock Islands and Ulong Island Under the Stars (spend the night on Ulong Island, climb to ancient caves). There's the Indiana Jones Trail (rock climbing, limestone caves, and sunken WWII seaplanes for the adventurous), Mandarin Fish Lake, Jellyfish Lake, Peleliu, and kayak trips in northern Babeldaob (only accessible by boat) around Ngardmau Waterfalls and the Palauan Sunken Village. We can arrange your personal kayak trip. We'll even give you the advice you need to take out a kayak on your own and travel right off our dock into the beauty for a day... or a few weeks! Our kayaks are new Ocean Kayaks, singles and doubles, with dry compartments. 

OUTRIGGER CANOE TRIPS
What is an Outrigger Canoe?
An Outrigger Canoe, or Kabekel, is the vessel of the ancient Palauan seafarers who navigated the seas.   The canoe is designed for ultimate lightness in the water, and was used as a war canoe. Palauans would travel often for weeks in the Kabekel to visit their neighboring islands across the Pacific. Though traditionally built out of a single tree trunk, our canoes are fiberglass replicas. Our 28 foot (9 meter) canoe is a replica of the traditional Palauan war canoes with some unique added features: a rudder for maneuverability and control, increased stability, wide, comfortable cushioned seats that will not tire feet or backs, dry compartments for gear or cameras. 

 Tours
Our Kabekel tours are lead by naturalists. All tours include food, drink, swimming and hiking. The Outrigger Canoe glides silently through the Rock Islands, mangroves and marine lakes. Visit the remains of ancient Palauan villages where stone paths and ceremonial stone podiums tell us the story of the past. Explore caves, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, within the rock islands. Learn the WWII history through Japanese forts, lighthouses, and military and civilian installations.  

Relaxed Trip
A relaxed half day tour to Nikko Bay and the Bat Cave.  

Full Moon Tour
An excursion under the full moon. Celebrate the night with wine and cheese. 

Rock Island Tour
Navigate the labyrinth of the Rock Islands. Explore the Bat Cave and the Mandarin Fish Lake. Full day. 

A Night Under the Stars
Cruise to Ulong Island, home to one of the most beautiful Rock Island beaches. Trek to the top and rediscover the ancient Palauan caves. Listen to Palauan legends over the fire. Spend the night under the bright stars. Overnight tour. 

Indiana Jones Trail
Jouney to hidden mangrove channels and limestone caves. Snorkel the sunken WWII seaplanes. Visit the Yapese Stone Money Quarry. Full day. 

Personalized Tour  
Plan your own adventure. Visit hidden treasures such as Peleliu, Jellyfish Lake, Northern Babeldaob, Ngardmau Waterfalls and The Palauan Sunken Village. Palau is comprised of over 350 islands. It is considered one of the natural wonders of the world. Let us know what you are up for and we will arrange a personalized tour for you. 

Flora and Fauna
A Kabekel tour is an excellent, undisruptive way to see the rich flora and fauna of Palau. Some highlights include:  

Lush Plants
Rare Plants such as wild Orchids and Cicadas (a palm dated back to the dinosaur age) can often be seen. 

Magnificent Birds
Observe the Biib (Palau's National bird), a long-tail tropical bird, Cockatoos and green & red parrots. 

Palauan reptiles
Including the salt water crocodile (non-aggressive), Boa Tree Snake (all snakes in Palau are non-venomous), the Giant Monitor Lizard (4-5ft long) and more. 

The legendary Dugong!!!
It is your opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of the almost extinct Dugong (Manatee). These mammals have long been identified as legendary Mermaids and are now protected by law. At Fish 'n Fins, we have learned about their migration habits and we often see them cruising the lagoon. 

Eco-Tourism
Just like the Palauans have always respected nature, our Kabekel tours practice eco-tourism to show respect for the environment. The canoes are the perfect way to explore the Rock Islands without releasing any pollutants into the air or disturbing nature. We reduce all waste possible on our Kabekel tours. The food is local Palauan cuisine not wrapped in plastic containers but in banana and coconut leaves. Our guides offer you comfortable wide-brimmed hats, hand-woven from coconut leaves. 

Palauan Food
Kabekel trips serve Palauan food such as smoked, fried and BBQ fish, steamed chicken, pork with taro leaves, tapioca and taro roots, seasonal local fruits including banana, pineapple, watermelon, papaya and green coconut drink. 

Trolling, Casting or Bottom Fishing
We offer sport fishing and trolling and have taken out many happy and successful groups. We provide lunch and drinks on the boat. LAND TOURSLet us lead you on a personalized land tour. In one of our 4x4 vehicles, we can take you up the rocky dirt roads of Babeldaob Island (the Big Island) to see the sprawling, panoramic view on top of Palau's highest peak. Hike across the freshwater river, stopping to bathe in the mini-waterfalls and mountain pools along the stream, until you reach the big 80-foot drop waterfalls, and rejoice in that clear water. You can visit WWII tanks, relics and monuments, and even include stops around town at museums and the storyboard shops. The price includes lunch and cold drinks of water and tea. 

 History of Fish 'n FinsThe Early Days of Diving Palau
In the 1960's, Jacques Yves Cousteau and his famous ship the Calypso visited Palau. In his journal, Cousteau reported that Palau's colorful Underwater Walls and Drop Offs were, in his opinion, the best in the world. This put Palau on the map of the budding diving community. Young and curious Palauan, Francis Toribiong, became fascinated with the new SCUBA invention that Cousteau, and later, other scientists, brought to the island. Having spent his childhood fishing and snorkeling the reefs around Palau, Francis helped the SCUBA diving scientists to navigate the waters, and learned to dive himself. In 1965, he became one of the first Palauans to experience the underwater wonders below his home. In 1972 Francis, now a newly graduated anthropologist from the University of California, brought the first dive compressors and SCUBA tanks to Palau. He then opened Fish 'n Fins, the first dive shop in Palau.  

Fish 'n Fins: Pioneering Palau's Waters
Francis used his new dive center Fish 'n Fins to start systematically exploring the reefs and the lagoon. What he discovered was beyond imagination. He actually rounded the corner for the first time to discover Blue Corner, the most famous dive in the world. Imagine the exhilaration to discover such a place, pulsing with diverse life.   Sites such as Blue Corner, Peleliu Corner, and Ngemelis Wall all became synonymous with Francis' name for many years. In the early and mid 1980's Francis Toribiong and Fish 'n Fins, along with Klaus Lindemann, began the task of finding and documenting a fleet of lost Japanese war ships, dubbed the "Lost Fleet of the Rock Islands," sunk on March 30 and 31 st , 1944, during the US Operation "Desecrate I." Over a period of a few years, Klaus and Francis, rediscovered over 30 Japanese WWII wrecks. Together they also completed the documentation of the military operation "Desecrate I.' Klaus Lindemann published the book Desecrate 1 on the discovery of the Fleet and became famous for his expertise on this part of military history.  

Continuing the Movement
In the late 1980's Francis and Fish 'n Fins supported scientist Bill Hamner in the research of the Jellyfish Lake and other Marine Lakes in Palau. In 1996, Francis became the star of the Academy Award nominated IMAX documentary film, "The Living Sea," which focuses on the incredible wonders in the living sea of Palau. In August 1998, Francis Toribiong retired from Fish 'n Fins after 25 years of diving, exploration and providing outstanding diving services to Palau visitors. However he can still be seen visiting Fish 'n Fins frequently. He left Fish 'n Fins in the best hands he could find, those of his friends and partners in diving Palau: Tova and Navot Bornovski.  

Fish 'n Fins and the Bornovskis
In 1998 the Bornovskis carried on the torch from Francis. They were already diving experts on Palau from working with Francis and running the liveaboard Ocean Hunter. They completely renovated Fish 'n Fins and, with much time, energy and resources, turned it into the modern, state-of-the-art Dive Center that it is today. They have made Fish 'n Fins a business where everyone is family, and carried on the tradition of safety, pioneering and excellent service to visitors.     

Palau
Seen from above, the islands of Palau look like green calligraphy on an empty corner of the sea. Over 470 miles east of the Philippines and locked in by the stretching Pacific Ocean, Palau is a rare oasis, a self-contained, isolated archipelago thriving with biodiversity and abundance. Exact location is at 7 ∞ 30' North Latitude, 133 ∞ 30' East Latitude. Palau is the western most island group of a region called the West Caroline Islands, which is part of a larger region called Micronesia. Nations in the Micronesia region include the U.S. Territory of Guam, The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (of which Yap is a state), and the Republic of Palau.  

HISTORY
There is not much information widely available about Palau, and it is not part of a major continent, but rather in the middle of Oceania. This isolation has kept Palau free from the ravishes of mass-tourism development, but the isolation has also kept away the wide scholarly study of artifacts from Palau's ancient and highly skilled traditional culture, dating back to 1000 BC. † However, those persistent enough to visit Palau can unlock the rich history of a Palauan traditional culture swept into the middle of battles between the superpowers. Palau served as a hot middle ground between warring superpowers from the east Japan to the west United States. Exploited by Spanish conquest and imperialism in 1885 and sold to Germany in 1899, Palau was placed under Japanese control in 1914 by rule of the League of Nations after WWI. By this time the indigenous Palauan population had been reduced by nearly 70% from exposure to foreign diseases such as small pox. From 1914 until WWII, Palau became a major Japanese naval base and center of control for Japan's Pacific holdings. Koror, Palau's main state, became a bustling Japanese metropolis, with large phosphate mines and copra exports to Japan, as well as a huge foreigner population. During WWII, the United States attacked the Japanese base at Palau. They launched the "Desecrate I" air raid on March 30 and 31, 1944, which resulted in the Lost Fleet of the Rock Islands, Japanese shipwrecks that we dive today. The tiny island of Peleliu was besieged by U.S. forces for two months. The war obliterated the capital island city of Koror, shed blood on the reefs around Palau, and left a sunken graveyard of ships and bones in the still sea. At the end of the war, from 1948 until 1994, the United States was designated to provide for Palau under the United Nations Trust Territory agreement, however the islands were left mostly neglected. The US was supposed to oversee the rebuilding and development of a sovereign Palau, which did not happen until the 1994 Compact of Free Association Agreement, in which Palau's government became locally independent from the United States, yet still accepted funding from the US government in exchange for United States military use of the land. There is still much controversy around the nebulous terms of the agreement.  Palau still exists under the Compact of Free Association with the United States, where both Palauans and US citizens are given special privileges in each other's land and the US gives the Palauan government money so that the US may keep the strategically located islands away from any rival foreign power's hands. The traditional history of Palau, before all the powers invaded and influenced, leaves much to be studied. Carbon dating places inhabitants on the Rock Islands as early as 1000 BC. Today, traces of the ancient culture are still prominent on the island: Bead-money, first-birth ceremonies, communal meeting houses called Bai , ancient terraces on rocky slopes, the remains of cave-paintings and carved stone monoliths in overgrown jungles, and the laws of the Bul . The Bul , orally passed down by Palauan ancestors, is a traditional fish conservation method still followed by fishermen today that bans fishing in certain designated areas during spawning season. The Palauans greatly respect their environment and their ancestors. Only now they struggle to balance environmental conservation with the tourism-driven economy of their developing nation.   

BIODIVERSITY
With over 1500 species of fish and 700 corals and anemones, Palau acts as a heart of biodiversity, pumping life outwards from the blood-warm waters of the Pacific, to farther regions like Hawaii which only has 1/3 rd as many underwater species as Palau. It is impossible to get bored on dives here, when everywhere you look you see something new and different. On almost every dive you see sharks (gray reef, black tip, white tip, and the occasional bull shark, leopard shark and hammerhead) and turtles (hawksbill, green, olive ridley, leatherback, and loggerhead), often so many sightings that you lose count. We have bumphead parrotfish and huge resident Napoleon wrasses that swim extremely close to divers. Experience close encounters with Palau's abundant population of manta rays, lionfish and the usually rare, shy and wildly colored mandarin fish. Other underwater highlights include cuttlefish, moray eels, lobsters, eagle rays, and dolphins, plus schools of barracudas, big-eye trevally (jacks), neon fusiliers, black snapper, and colorful anthias. Brightly colored clown fish in pulsating anemones, and large fish such as big-eye tuna and marlins are also common on dives. Palau is one of the last places in the world to spot a legendary and nearly extinct dugong (sea cow), a sea mammal, and seven of the nine species of endangered tridacna giant clams--larger than yourself and up to 100 years old! You can also find here saltwater crocodiles and sea snakes (non-aggressive). And of course, the biological wonder of Palau is Jellyfish Lake - take me there - filled with millions of Mastigias species of jellyfish that have no sting, pulsing in a cloud like hearts reflecting the sun's rays through their pink bodies. The dives are truly a sensual feast. As for life above the water, there are 142 bird species. The Palau Owl, endangered Palau Ground Dove, and beautiful Palau Fantail are some of the 16 endemic bird species in Palau. 1260 plant species include 109 endemic plants, with such highlights as the rare wild orchid and ancient cicada palm. There are 2 endemic bat species including the Palauan Fruit Bat. The biodiversity of Palau is reflected in Palauan legends, which show a close relationship between the Palauans and the many creatures that inhabit their land. In the legends, often humans transform into animals, such as when a Palauan mother clutching her child turned into a dugong to explain the start of this marine mammal, and the theme of transformation is very strong. Visitors here will see how in Palau, the close relationship with such a thriving natural world opens up the interconnectedness of life and will not leave you untransformed.  -Statistics taken from sources on Palau Resources Page as well as the World Bird Database in Palau: 

ENVIRONMENT
The excitement of diving a Palau site is as amazing as the boat ride to get there. On our speedboats you will glide over glassy water, wind in your hair, through the labyrinth of our Rock Islands--jungled islands sprinkled over the cobalt sea like emeralds. The Rock Islands are composed of porous limestone, jagged and primal as they cut out of the water and towards the sky, yet overgrown in rich vegetation due to the collection of minerals in the limestone crevices. The water and bacteria have undercut the islands to form a precarious, skinny base rising out of the water, giving the islands their mushroom-shape or green muffin-top look. The limestone, once the structure of an ancient coral reef, raised out of the water, leaving a skeleton of what this ancient underwater landscape might look like, with caves, marine lakes and waterways enfolded in the islands like a complex circulatory system. No buildings are allowed on the Rock Islands by law, to keep them so purely startling to both Palauans and visitors. Further strict conservation laws are in place around this oasis, restricting fishing, travel over the reef, and travel to certain Rock Islands in order to leave undisturbed sites for birds and turtles. The most famous conservation area, no humans allowed, is the 70 Islands Wildlife Preserve--the part of Palau you see in all the aerial photographs. A large barrier reef encloses the Rock Islands as well as most islands of Palau. Koror is the capital region, composed of four small islands connected together by bridge. To the south of Koror lies Peleliu and Anguar, two other limestone islands, with mid-height profiles like Koror. All islands are strewn with WWII artifacts such as a rusting tank covered with the tropical grasses and flowers so robust they spring from any crack in the sidewalk. North of Koror, Babeldaob is the largest island, totaling 153 square miles while the others together total a mere 37. The oldest island as well, Babeldaob is volcanic and holds the highest peaks and waterfalls, with the tall Mt. Ngerchelchuus at 713 feet above sea level. Babeldaob holds trails for hiking and mountain biking, with hints of Palau's rich history nestled into the hillside in the form of a Yapese stone money quarry, sculpted terraces possibly used for agriculture in the BC era, and the oldest standing traditional Bai or Palauan meeting house used by the chiefs. Plans to move the current capital to Melekeok State on Babeldaob have instigated construction of a new, all-island paved road, locally known as the Compact Road, which will make travel on the island much easier. Kayangel island, the farthest north, is a raised coral atoll, surrounding a marine lagoon with its low sloping beaches. From Kayangel to Peleliu, the Palauan islands sprawl about 125 miles. However, 300 miles southwest lie more members of the Palau nation: 6 sparsely inhabited islands called the Southwest Islands exist. Named one of the last "Living Edens" by PBS, and number one of seven "Underwater Wonders of the World," by CEDAM International, Palau is etching its consciousness onto the world for its spectacular physical offerings, above and below the sea.  

KOROR
Koror is a charming, quirky small town. Of Palau's approximately 17,500 inhabitants, including approximately 4,500 foreign workers mostly from the Philippines, half the population lives on Koror, a 3.5-mile long town stretching over four islands connected by bridge and causeway. There are paved roads, cars, shopping centers (though not more than four stories high) and more than 25 restaurants for any taste bud. One main two-lane road runs through the town. All the shops and neighborhoods are built on either side of this mini highway, similar to the layout of the Florida Keys in the US. Koror is safe to walk about at night, though nightlife remains limited to a few bars, including our very own Barracuda, which overlooks the Rock Islands on the Fish 'n Fins dock. Other night spots include the dockside Kramer's, favored by ex-pats, Riptide, with a dance floor and occasional live music located on Palau's small public beach, and Peleliu Club, a local favorite that gets quite rowdy with Palauan cha-cha. Although the best action is on the water, for activities around the town of Koror, you will find they are very tourist friendly. A smile goes a long way here. There are two museums to visit (Etpison Museum and Belau National Museum), the Palau International Coral Reef Center (next door to us!) that houses an aquarium, a mariculture project where you can see a nursery of giant clams, a crocodile farm, an old Japanese shrine with a majestic view, WWII relics and monuments, traditional Bai meeting houses, a shop for traditional arts and crafts at the Senior Citizens Center, a public library with a rare collection on Palau, a center to swim with dolphins, and a movie theater. You can take a dip in the water right off the rocky shore from underneath the KB Bridge, or on Long Island, a public cement dock and swimming area in the middle of town. To get around Koror you can rent a car, take taxis (2-4 dollars anywhere), bike or walk. Koror acts as a gateway to the other islands of Palau which you can visit by boat, plane or 4x4 vehicle.The lifestyle on Palau is very easy and laid-back for all. No one goes hungry here, as they can rely on family members or friends if they're unemployed. Palauans are very family-centered, it seems almost everybody is related here, and clan ties still run strong. Though appearing Americanized, Palauans preserve much of their traditional culture--ceremonies, exchanges and councils--on land and in the sea.