Diving in Rock Islands

Best Time to Dive in Rock Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Rock Islands occur in October, averaging 30.0°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 28.8°C
• February: 28.4°C
• March: 28.8°C
• April: 29.3°C
• May: 29.8°C
• June: 29.9°C
• July: 29.8°C
• August: 29.7°C
• September: 29.9°C
• October: 30.0°C
• November: 29.9°C
• December: 29.6°C

Marine Life in Rock Islands

Home to 198 recorded species including 171 reef fish, 15 sea cucumbers, 4 clams & mussels, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 starfish, 1 sea urchins.

Dive Site Difficulty in Rock Islands

Rock Islands has 3 beginner dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Rock Islands

Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 13 cm/s.

• Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
• Mask - essential for every dive
• Fins
• BCD - buoyancy compensator
• Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
• Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
• Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
• Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Rock Islands

• Ngerukewid Island Wildlife Preserve - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Ngerumekaol Spawning Area - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngaremeduu Bay Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Ngeruangel Marine Reserve - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category V)
• Ngermasech Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Lagon sud des îles Chelbacheb - World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• East Coast Ngaraard Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Oruaol Ibuchel Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngchesechang Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ngelukes Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngemai Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngeream Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Teluleu Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngaraard Mangrove Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Palau National Marine Sanctuary - Marine Sanctuary (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Medal Ngediull Conservation Area - Fishery Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
• Bkulengriil Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Bkulabeluu Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Olterukl Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngerchebal Island Wildlife Conservation - Wildlife Conservation Area (IUCN Category Ib)
• Ngermedellim Marine Sanctuary - Marine Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Ileyaklbeluu Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Ongiil Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Angaur Permanent Protected Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Kayangel Subsistence Fishing Zone 1 - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Northern Reef Fisheries Management Project - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Oisebukel Marine Reef Sanctuary - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Chiul Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
• Northern Reef Co-Managed Commercial Fisheries Zone - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Velasco Commercial Fishing Zone - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Ngarchelong Subsistence Fishing Zone - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Ngkesol Barrier Reef - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Kayangel Subsistence Fishing Zone 2 - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Matul crab closing zone - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category VI)
• Koror Southern Lagoon - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category IV)
• Ngerkebesang Conservation Zone - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category II)
• Mokad Recreation Zone - Recreation Zone (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Coastal State Waters - State Waters (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Domestic Fishing Zone - Fishing Zone (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Oselkesol Waterfall Conservation Area - Conservation Area (IUCN Category III)
• Ngeriungs Bird Sanctuary - Bird Sanctuary (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ebiil Channel Conservation Zone - Co-Management Area (IUCN Category II)
• Ngemelachel-Ngederrak Seagrass Beds - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category II)
• Ngemelis Island Complex - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category V)
• Rock Island Southern Lagoon Management Area - Zone Management Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ngaremeduu Bay Network - Conservation Area (IUCN Category Ia)
• Ngaremeduu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to Rock Islands - Nearest Airports

• Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), Babelthuap Island - 29 km away, approx 46 min travel time
• Yap International Airport (YAP), Yap Island - 484 km away, approx 543 min travel time