New Drop-Off - Rock Islands

New Drop-Off. Now, this is a site we’ve always enjoyed, even if it sometimes plays second fiddle to its more famous neighbours. You’re looking at a truly impressive wall here, dropping from a relatively shallow reef top down into the deep blue. We like to drift it slowly, letting the current carry us past the gorgonian fans that cling to the wall, feeling that gentle pull on our fins. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff nestled in the cracks. We’ve spotted Denise's pygmy seahorses here a few times, tucked into their usual fan corals, and the Latticed Butterflyfish seem to love this section of reef. But it’s the pelagic action that really makes New Drop-Off sing when the conditions are right. We've seen schools of Blackspot Surgeonfish moving like a single organism, and you’ll often find Longface Emperors cruising by. If you hit it around slack high tide, the visibility can be truly spectacular, giving you clear views down into the abyss. It’s a great drift dive for anyone comfortable with a bit of current and a good way to see a different side of Palau’s famous walls.

Location
Rock Islands, Palau, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
7.106011, 134.239500
Type
wall

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 New 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 New 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