Mandarinfish Lake
Protected Area
Ngerkebesang Conservation Zone
Why dive here
With 182+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, lionfish, mandarin fish, napoleon wrasse and nautiluses - Mandarinfish Lake offers some of Rock Islands's richest diving. Water ranges 29-30°C, warmest June, October, November.
Mandarinfish Lake offers a reliably intimate encounter with the elusive mandarinfish. We typically dive this site around dusk, as that’s when the mandarinfish emerge from the coral to perform their mating dance, a slow, deliberate ritual easy to observe from a respectful distance. It's a shallow dive, usually 5-7 metres, making it suitable for all experience levels, but patience is key to spotting these small, colourful fish. The lake itself is sheltered, so conditions are generally calm.
Typical Mandarinfish Lake Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Mandarinfish Lake
Dive shops near Mandarinfish Lake
Palau Sea World Dive Center
Palau Ocean Divers
Island Life Diving
Pacific Divers
Fish 'n Fins Palau
Fish 'n Fins
Reviews for Mandarinfish Lake
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Mandarinfish Lake
Mandarinfish Lake Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Mandarinfish Lake, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (7.2, 134.3) (4km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 28.5–31.2°C
Current Speed
10.05 cm/s
Direction: N (5.7°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.026 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
33.62 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
Plan & book
Ways to dive Rock Islands, from day trips to liveaboards.
Day trips & courses
via GetYourGuideGuided dives, courses and snorkel trips with instant booking.
Find dive trips in Rock IslandsPlaces to stay
via Booking.comHotels and dive resorts near Rock Islands.
Search stays in Rock IslandsDive insurance
Most travel insurance excludes or limits scuba. Check what you need before you go.
Dive insurance explainedPartner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
Where to Stay near Mandarinfish Lake
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.