Short Drop Off - Rock Islands

Short Drop Off in Palau’s Rock Islands gives you a chance to unwind after some of the area’s more adrenaline-fueled dives. It’s a pretty gentle wall, starting relatively shallow and letting you just drift along, taking it all in. We often suggest it for divers getting back into the swing of things or those who want to spend more time looking for the small stuff. There are always nudibranchs and flatworms tucked away in the crevices if you take your time, and it’s a great spot to really dial in your buoyancy without fighting a ripping current.

Location
Rock Islands, Palau, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
7.199722, 134.300000
Type
wall

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 Short 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 Short 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