How many wrecks are there in Palau?

Dozens of ships and aircraft are known in Palau's waters, most from the Second World War. Only some are dived regularly, and local guides know which are in good condition.

Do you need wreck certification to dive Palau's wrecks?

Not to dive around the outside of them. Going inside a wreck safely needs wreck diving training, the right equipment and a guide who knows the ship.

Can you take souvenirs from the wrecks?

No. Taking artefacts is illegal and disrespectful, and some munitions on the wrecks may still be dangerous.

Palau Wreck Diving: Second World War Wrecks of the Lagoon

Palau wreck diving takes you into the Second World War: Japanese cargo ships, tankers and aircraft that sank in the lagoon in 1944 and have spent eight decades turning into coral reefs. They're a world away from the current-swept walls of the outer reef, and a perfect counterpoint to them.

Why there are wrecks in Palau

Before and during the Second World War, Palau was a Japanese-administered territory and an important base for the Japanese navy, with ships anchored in the sheltered lagoon around Koror and Malakal. On 30 and 31 March 1944, aircraft from United States carriers attacked the anchorage during Operation Desecrate One, sinking or damaging many ships. Later that year came the battles for Peleliu and Angaur in the south.

Most of the ships lie in the lagoon west and south of Koror, in calmer, greener water than the outer reef. Some are close enough to Koror to dive on a short boat ride, which makes them good choices for an afternoon dive or a windy day.

Wrecks divers visit

Palau has dozens of known wrecks, and new ones are still identified from time to time. The names and histories of some are uncertain, so treat the details below as a starting point and ask your guide for the full story.

Iro Maru

Navy oiler · Upright · Intermediate

A large Japanese navy oiler that sits upright on the lagoon floor, with gun platforms at bow and stern still recognisable under coral and sponges. Schools of fish gather around the masts and superstructure.

Helmet Wreck

Cargo ship · Artefacts · Intermediate

Named for the stacks of helmets found in its hold, this wreck also carries depth charges, bottles and other cargo. Look but never touch or take anything: wartime munitions may still be dangerous, and removing artefacts is illegal.

Jake Seaplane

Floatplane · Shallow · All levels

A Japanese reconnaissance floatplane resting in fairly shallow water near Koror, with its wings, floats and propeller intact. It's easy to dive and popular with photographers.

Chuyo Maru and Teshio Maru

Cargo ships · Coral-covered · Intermediate

Two of the many freighters sunk in the 1944 raid, now heavily covered in hard and soft coral and home to lionfish, glassfish and resident groupers.

What wreck diving in Palau is like

Lagoon water is usually calm, with lower visibility than the outer reef because of runoff and plankton. Some wrecks are within recreational limits, while others lie deeper and are better suited to experienced divers. Penetrating the inside of a wreck needs proper wreck training, a guide who knows the ship, a reliable torch and a plan for silt; never follow someone inside without it. A wreck dive pairs well with a morning at Blue Corner or German Channel.

Respecting the wrecks

These ships are war graves for many sailors. Dive them with respect.
Don't touch, move or take anything. Unexploded ordnance can still be dangerous.
Watch your fins and buoyancy so you don't stir up silt or damage coral growing on the hull.
Ask your operator which wrecks need a separate permit or local guide.

Wrecks on land, too

Palau's war history is just as visible above water. On Peleliu, tours visit bunkers, tanks, aircraft and memorials from the 1944 battle, and around Koror you'll pass old Japanese buildings and gun emplacements. If you're diving Peleliu Wall, a land tour makes a good surface-interval day. Find more lagoon dives in the guide to Palau dive sites, and see how to fit them into your schedule in the dive trip planning guide.

Palau Wreck Diving: WWII Wrecks of the Lagoon