Blue Holes - Rock Islands

Blue Holes is one of those Palau sites that really sticks with you, a genuinely unique experience. We love dropping through the main chimney, around 10 meters down, watching the light rays pierce the darkness. It’s like entering a cathedral. You come out into a massive cavern, then drift out to the wall at 30 meters or so. Look up, and you’ll often see reef sharks silhouetted against the blue. The wall itself is gorgeous, full of Blackside Hawkfish perched on corals and the occasional Golden Butterflyfish flitting past. We’ve spotted some tiny beauties here too, like the Palespot Eviota, if you take the time to really look. Current can pick up, so this isn't a beginner drift, but if you’re comfortable moving with the water, it’s a brilliant ride along the reef. We always check the tides; slack high is our favourite for the clearest water and easier entry.

Location
Rock Islands, Palau, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
7.137202, 134.222550

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 Blue Holes

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 Blue Holes

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