Ngerechong North Coral Garden - Rock Islands

Ngerechong North Coral Garden is a site we keep coming back to, especially if we’re after a more relaxed dive after some of Palau’s stronger currents. What you get here is pure, unadulterated reef life in comfortable conditions. We've found it's usually calm, making it perfect for lingering over details. Glide over wide swathes of healthy hard corals, the kind that make you remember why you started diving in the first place. Look closely and you’ll spot a Messmate Pipefish trying to blend into the branching structures, or a bold Grammistes Blenny peering from its hole. The colours are fantastic, not just from the corals but from the fish too – think bright Candelamoa Parrotfish munching away, or a flash of a Clown Tang darting between the bommies. We often spend a good hour here just drifting, letting the gentle sway of the water carry us past the schools of Twobar Cardinalfish. It’s a great spot for photographers, or anyone who just wants to soak in the sheer abundance of a healthy reef without being rushed.

Location
Rock Islands, Palau, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
7.115911, 134.367080
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Ngerukewid Island Wildlife Preserve

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 Ngerechong North Coral Garden

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 Ngerechong North Coral Garden

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