Big Drop Off - Rock Islands

The Big Drop Off, true to its name, delivers a proper wall dive in Palau. We’re talking a sheer vertical face here, plunging deep, plastered with big sea fans, sponges, and plenty of colourful soft corals. It's a calmer dive than some of Palau’s speedier spots, perfect for slowing down, framing a wide-angle shot, or really looking close for nudibranchs. You’ll often find turtles cruising the wall, and reef sharks tend to glide by in the blue, making it a solid choice for a more relaxed dive experience.

Location
Rock Islands, Palau, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
7.140000, 134.230000
Type
wall
Maximum Depth
20-40m

Marine Protected Area: Ngemelis Island Complex

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

Nearby Dive Sites in Rock Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Big Drop Off

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Big Drop Off

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