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Welcome to Ocean Hunter III, the latest and most luxurious addition to the Ocean Hunter Fleet in Palau. The boat represents 25 years of knowledge in the liveaboard industry and like all of our liveaboards was designed by divers, for divers. Ocean Hunter III will be diving the reefs of Palau, plus special trips to places such as Yap.

As usual with our fleet, you also have the knowledge and hospitality of our very experienced local crew. Ocean Hunter III has 3 standard cabins, 3 deluxe cabins and 2 master staterooms all with private bath and a/c, and accommodates up to 16 guests with personal attention and plenty of space.

There is a large dining room and a comfortable salon with sofas and an entertainment system. The salon also contains a high quality espresso machine. Alternatively you can relax in the jacuzzis on the spacious sun deck. Furthermore, Ocean Hunter III is designed for professional underwater photography, TV and Film production, with a sizeable working area, 110, 220 and 415 volt electrical outlets and extra storage space.

Ocean Hunter III offers powerful PC's for movie and video editing with download, email and cd burning services.

Ocean Hunter 3 - schedule

Ocean Hunter 3 - prices and what's included

Prices are per person per trip and based on 2 persons sharing a cabin.
Exact pricing is available on the schedule here as prices vary dependant on the time of year, destination and the length of the trip and sometimes special offers are available.

The trip price includes:
Accommodation on board
Diving according to trip’s itinerary
3 gourmet meals a day, hot and cold drinks
Snacks (sunrise, morning, afternoon and late night)
Transportation to and from boat
Weights, weight belt and Scuba tanks.

The trip price does not include:
Koror Diving Permit $50 per person for 10 days
Jellyfish Lake Permit $50 per person for 10 days
Peleliu Diving Permit $30 per person for 10 days
Dive Equipment rental (see below)
Nitrox - Per Tank $15.50 - Unlimited Use (7 day trip) $199 per person, Unlimited Use (10 day trip) $285 per person
Alcohol and soft drinks
Dive insurance is mandatory as is your own personal dive computer (You can rent one for the trip if you do not have your own).
As well as the Mandatory Dive Insurance we highly recommend Trip and Travel Insurance on the off chance of missed or cancelled flights / lost baggage, documents, money or passport / Covid issues or any other unforeseen problems that could possibly occur.
Dive Assure Insurance offers cover for all these eventualities as well as complete Dive Insurance all in one package.

Booking and Cancellation Terms and Conditions.
Booking deposit: 30% of your invoice total is required within 7 days of booking to confirm your booking.
Final payment of 70% is due to 90 days prior to the departure date to complete your invoice payment.
Individual bookings made less than 90 days before the departure date will be payable in full upon booking to confirm your booking.
Cancellation at any stage involves forfeit of monies already payed.

Group discounts
For 7 full paying guests you receive one person free, pay 7 and bring 8
for 14 full paying guests you receive 2 persons free of charge, pay 14 and bring 16 (full charter)

Diving Equipment Rentals (USD) Per day
Full Set (regulator, octopus, BCD, wetsuit, mask, fins, dive computer) $ 75
Regulator with octopus $ 20
Computer $ 20
BCD $ 20
Wetsuit (shorty 3mm) $ 15
Mask and snorkel $ 7
Fins (+ booties $7 as required) $ 7
Torch $ 20
Personal pony tanks and SPARE AIR refills are free
20% discount for 7 days rental and more

Ocean Hunter III - Additional Costs (Extras)
Nitrox - Per Tank $15.50 - Unlimited Use (7 day trip) $199 - Unlimited Use (10 day trip) $285
Onboard Drinks
(Filtered Water, Tea and Coffee are all free of charge).
Soft Drinks, Bottled Mineral Water, Beer, Spirits, Wine.

Rental Gear prices
If you rent gear from Ocean Hunter trip for a period of 7 days or more, you will get a 20% discount off our normal per day prices.
Alternatively you can purchase any needed equipment from the Pro Shop - we are an Aqualung dealer and all rental equipment is fully serviced and less than one year old.
If you would like to rent something you don´t see on the list below, just ask us and we can arrange it!

Ocean Hunter 3 - cabins

Ocean Hunter III has 3 standard cabins, 3 deluxe cabins and 2 master staterooms all with private bath and a/c, and accommodates up to 16 guests with personal attention and plenty of space.

Upper Deck Master Cabin
Specially designed to Mega Yachts standards; the Master State Rooms boast a large living space, extra large double bed, private TV, DVD and Mini Bar, computer/toilette table and a sofa / bed. Large and spacious bathroom with ensuite shower and Microphor Toilet head providing silent and reliable operation. Large storage space and closets. Separately controlled A/C. 110/220 volts outlets.

Upper Deck Deluxe Cabin
Specially designed to Mega Yachts standards; the Upper deck Deluxe State Rooms boast a large living space, extra large double bed, private TV, DVD and Mini Bar, computer/toilette table and a sofa / bed. Large and spacious bathroom with ensuite shower and Microphor Toilet head providing silent and reliable operation. Large storage space and closets. Separately controlled A/C. 110/220 volts outlets.

Lower Deck Deluxe Cabin
Our 4 deluxe cabins contain a large living space with king size double bed with single bunk above. The ensuite bathroom holds a shower, basin and a Microphor toilet head providing silent and reliable operation. Large storage space and closets. Separately controlled Air Conditioning and 110/220 volt outlets.

Lower Deck Standard Cabin
The 2 standard cabins on Ocean Hunter contain a queen size double bed along with a single bunk. As always there is a private ensuite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet. Large storage space and closets, separately controlled Air Conditioning and 110/220 volt outlets.

Ocean Hunter 3 - itineraries

Typical Itinerary for 7 day trip: Total 32 dives

Day 1 is 3 dives, day 2-6 is 5 dives a day (5x5) and day 7 is 4 dives.
The actual schedule may vary as all the trips are based around sea conditions, tides, currents and moon cycles.
We want you to dive the right site at the right time so you see the best of Palau.

Day 1:
We will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30 a.m.
You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.
12:30-1 p.m.: First dive on Helmet Wreck (WWII Japanese ship which is easy to dive and you can check your gear and weights)
2:00-4:30 p.m.- Ocean Hunter will cross the lagoon to German Channel
4:30 p.m.- Second dive at German Channel or Big Drop Off.
7 p.m. Night dive Dinner (can be moved before night dive at customer request on any day)

Days 2, 3, 4:
Wake up at 6:00-6:30 a.m. with coffee, tea and sweet rolls
The diving on these days will be at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German wall, Barnum wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus coral gardens, Ngedebus wall, Fairyland, etc…
7 a.m. First dive
8:30 a.m.- Full breakfast
10:00 a.m.- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m.- Third dive
4:00 p.m.- Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive
Dinner

Day 5:
Ocean Hunter moves to the Peleliu area and we dive at the following divesites:Peleliu Wall, Peleliu Corner, Peleliu Coral Garden, Orange Wall, Peleliu Expressway, White Beach, Yellow Wall, Peleliu Cut, etcFor those who are interested we can offer a land tour on the island of Peleliu which was a major battlefield during WWII.
7 a.m. First dive
8:30 a.m.- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m.- Third dive
4:00 p.m.- Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive
Dinner

Day 6:
Return to Ngemelis area for another dive and then make our way to Jellyfish Lake (snorkelling and hiking) and then to on Ulong.Places that we dive there are: Ulong Channel, Siaes Tunnel, Siaes Corner and Shark City.
7 a.m. First dive
8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00-1:30 p.m. - Third dive
4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive + Dinner

Day 7:
A dive in the Ulong area and then as we approach Koror, a shipwreck dive (Iro or Chuyo Maru) and then Chandelier Cave. If time permits we can also offer a trip to Mandarinfish Lake. Arrive at the dock in the late afternoon. Guests can rinse their gear and start packing.
7 a.m. First dive
8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Third dive
4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive
Dinner

Day 8:
Guests have breakfast at 7:00 AM and disembark Ocean Hunter at 8:00 a.m…
We provide the transportation to the hotel or the airport.

Typical Itinerary for 10 day trip:

Your actual schedule may vary as all our trips are based around sea conditions, tides, currents and moon cycles.
We want to dive the right site at the right time!

Day 1:
We will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30 a.m. You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.
12:30-1 p.m. : First dive on Helmet Wreck (WWII Japanese ship which is easy to dive and you can check your gear and weights)
2:00-4:30 p.m. - Ocean Hunter will cross the lagoon to German Channel4:30- Second dive at German Channel or Big Drop Off.
7 p.m. Night dive
Dinner

Days 2, 3, 4:
Wake up at 6:00-6:30 a.m. with coffee, tea and sweet rollsThe diving on these days will be at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German wall, Barnum wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus coral gardens, Ngedebus wall, Fairyland, etc…
7 a.m. First dive
8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast
10 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Third dive
4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive,
Dinner

Days 5,6:
Ocean Hunter sails to the Peleliu area and we dive some of the following divesites:Peleliu Wall, Peleliu Corner, Peleliu Coral Garden, Orange Wall, Peleliu Expressway, White Beach, Yellow Wall, Peleliu Cut, etc For those who are interested we can offer a land tour on the island of Peleliu which was a major battlefield during WWII.
7 a.m. First dive
8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Third dive
4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive,
Dinner

Day 7:
Return to the Blue Corner/Ngemelis area for another day of diving. The diving on these days will be done at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German Wall, Barnum Wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus Coral Gardens, Ngedebus Wall, Fairyland, etc…
7 a.m. First dive
8 a.m. - Full breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Third dive
4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive,
Dinner

Day 8:
Diving in the area of Ngerechong Island and visit to Jellyfish lake
7 a.m. First dive
8 a.m. - Full breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Visit to Jellyfish lake (instead of third dive)
4:00 p.m. - Fourth dive
7 p.m. - Night dive, Dinner

Day 9:
Diving at the Ulong Island area. Among the Dive sites that we will explore are: Ulong Channel, Ulong wall, Siaes Tunnel, Siaes Corner, Ulong Coral Garden
7 p.m. First dive
8:30 a.m. - Full breakfast
10:00 a.m. - Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00-1:30 p.m. - Third dive
4:00 - Fourth dive
7 p.m - Night dive,
Dinner

Day 10
7 a.m. First dive on one of the WWII wrecks (Iro or Chuyo Maru)
8 a.m. - Full breakfast
10 a.m. - Second dive (dive on Jake Seaplane, a WWII airplane)
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Third dive at Chandelier Cave
4:00-5:00 p.m. - Return to dock. Divers can wash your gear and will have dinner on board
Day 11:
7:00 a.m. - Breakfast
8 a.m. - Disembark the Ocean Hunter to airport or your hotel (transportation provided)

What are the arrival procedures on this trip?
At the Palau airport, you will be picked up by your hotel and transported to your accommodations. Please check with your hotel if they charge additional cost for the transfers.
The boat will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30 a.m. on the day of departure. You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.
What time is the embarkation, boarding and departure?
Check in time is after 10:30 a.m. on first day of the trip. Lunch will be provided on board.
On the final day guests have breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and disembark Ocean Hunter at 8:00 a.m… The boat will provide the transportation to the hotel or the airport.

Ocean Hunter 3 - specs

Food

Ocean Hunter owner and reknowned chef and cookery writer Tova Har-El has developed our delicious gourmet menu.
She has not only had extensive experience as a chef, but specifically as a liveaboard chef!
She cooked on the first Palau liveaboard for more than a year and went out on the Ocean Hunter for the first six months in Palau, closely analyzing the tastes of hungry divers after exiting the water and learning to cater to their every taste whim.
As a dedicated diver herself who knows the importance of low-fat, fiber rich meals, Tova designed our menu with international cuisines such as Palauan, Italian, Mediterranean, French and Japanese (with fresh sashimi and sushi), and with a bit of her own style as well. She has worked extensively with our cook Arlee. Below is a sample timetable for the food that Arlee will woo you with on a typical Ocean Hunter day.
Fresh vegetables and fruits are in abundance and will be served with every meal. We will gladly cater to vegetarian or any other dietary request. Snacks will be served in between meals.

Sample Food and Times

06:00 AM: Gourmet coffee and tea are served with fresh sweet rolls and cakes.

08:00 AM: After the first dive of the day, we serve a full breakfast.

12:30 PM: After the third dive of the day, it’s time for a buffet lunch.

Afternoon: Daily fresh fruit smoothies will be served (papaya, pineapple, soursop, and many other local exotic fruits).

7:30 PM: On a white tablecloth with chinaware, dinner will be served after the night dive, with a different gourmet soup every night to warm you up, followed by fresh salad and the international dinner of the day. Dinner can be served before the night dive if preferred.

Upper Deck

Wheelhouse

Ocean Hunter III will be heading out on some very exciting trips, so we needed to make sure she was fully kitted out for safe long-range, open water sailing. With that in mind we’ve equipped the bridge to American Bureau of Shipping specifications - with 3 separate GPS systems, gyro compass and autopilot, multiple radios, vertical and 3D bottom scanners and a satellite phone.

Sun Deck

As always on the Ocean Hunter fleet we’ve given you as much room to relax in as we can. The Sun Deck on Ocean Hunter III is very spacious indeed, with ample loungers, chairs and tables for you to while away the lazy hours between dives. Or enjoy yourself in our two heated jacuzzis!

Main Deck

Salon

After your last dive of the day what better place to relax than in our luxurious salon. There are 4 large sofas to sit back on while watching a DVD on the 48" wallmounted flatscreen TV. A computer station has a high-spec machine ready for you to burn your photos and videos to disc. Alternatively take it easy with a book from our library, or by playing board games until it’s time for bed.

Galley

A large, hygenic galley that produces a never-ending flow of fresh gourmet food. Industrial refrigerator and freezer units keep food fresh until needed, even on a long trip. Enough storage space that we never have to run out of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dining Room

The beautiful wood finish to the interior means the dining and living area on Ocean Hunter III is a warm and homely area to relax in. 4 separate tables allow all our guests to eat together without inconvenience, on very comfortable padded seating. Also in the dining area you will find an icemaker, coffee machine 32" plasma tv and minibar / refrigerator.

Gear Room

Lots of room for everyone here. This semi-dry area has ample storage space for each individual diver, along with 415/220/110V outlets for charging cameras and batteries

Dive Deck

Designed by divers for divers, Ocean Hunter III’s dive deck is both spacious and efficient. It boasts individual storage bins, plenty of room for Nitrox and air tanks up to 100 cubic feet (15 litres) and a filling station that can provide gas mixing for Trimix, Nitrox and blends up to 100% oxygen. Plus enough room for you to move around in comfort at both the start and end of your dives.

Ocean Hunter 3 - diving

The Top 10 reasons to go to Palau:

1. Stunning Coral Reefs: Palau has some of the most beautiful and diverse coral reefs in the world, with over 700 species of coral and 1,500 species of fish.
2. World-Class Wrecks: Palau is home to some of the most impressive wreck dives in the world, including the famous Japanese supply ship, the Iro Maru.
3. Manta Rays: Palau is one of the few places in the world where you can consistently see manta rays year-round.
4. Shark Action: Palau is famous for its shark diving, with opportunities to see a variety of species, including grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and even hammerhead sharks.
5. Jellyfish Lake: Palau is home to Jellyfish Lake, where you can swim with millions of non-stinging jellyfish.
6. World Heritage Site: Palau's Rock Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 due to their natural beauty and ecological significance.
7. Unique Dive Sites: Palau has a range of unique dive sites, including Blue Corner, which offers the opportunity to dive in a strong current and see large schools of fish.
8. Underwater Caves: Palau has a number of underwater caves and swim-throughs that offer a unique and exciting diving experience.
9. Conservation Efforts: Palau is committed to marine conservation and has created a number of marine protected areas to ensure the sustainability of its diving industry.
10. Diverse Marine Life: Palau's diverse marine life includes not only coral and fish, but also a variety of invertebrates, reptiles, and mammals, such as sea turtles and dugongs.

These are just a few of the reasons why Palau is a world-class diving destination that should be on every diver's bucket list.

Palau liveaboard diving is consistently chosen as one of the world's premiere diving destinations by several international diving publications, Palau features enchanting topside topography as well as breathtaking underwater landscapes. Experience big fish action at the Blue corner and New drop off. Shafts of light cutting through deep shadows create a near-religious experience at the Blue holes, German channel, Chandelier cave, Pelieu, Siaes tunnel, Ulong channel, Wrecks and many more Palau offers some of the most unique holiday possibilities: its natural beauty and untouched wilderness, intact culture, remoteness and stability combine to offer a fantastic destination for adventure seekers.

The spectacular walls along the barrier reef, including such favorites as Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Big drop-off and many other sensational offer dive sites yet to be charted. You can expect mostly wall and drift diving with visibility ranging from 20m / 70 feet to 50m / 150 feet depending on prevailing conditions. All our boats are liveaboards for people enthusiastic or serious about their diving but also welcome snorkellers and non-divers who will have their own separate itinerary.

It is located between Guam, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. Palau is a 400-mile long archipelago, which hosts one of the world's most unique phenomena - " Rock Island". These mushroom like islets are uninhabited and located in a large lagoon that has a vast concentration of corals, fish and other marine life. White sand beaches, lush jungle and remote waterfalls are just among the highlights of Palau.

The islands of Micronesia are scattered over three million square miles of the North Pacific. Palau is the Pacific’s newest nation, a Mecca for divers and home of the exquisite Jellyfish Lake. The Republic of Palau lies east of the Philippines and comprises of some 350 islands. They are grouped in six clusters stretching to 400miles from North to South, Kayangel Atoll to Tobi Islands.

Palau is world renowned as an unsurpassed dive destination that also offers the sublime Rock Islands, dramatic waterfalls, pristine white sand beaches and some of the most intriguing native flora and fauna found anywhere in the Pacific Ocean. Explore the beauty of Palau with the Big Blue explorer.

Palau has been described as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, with 700 species of coral and 1,200 species of identified fish. Palau provides some of the best diving to be found in Micronesia and ideally is suited for advanced divers.

The spectacular walls along the barrier reef, including such favorites as Blue Corner, Ulong Channel, Big drop-off and many other sensational offer dive sites yet to be charted. You can expect mostly wall and drift diving with visibility ranging from 20m / 70 feet to 50m / 150 feet depending on prevailing conditions.

Ocean Hunter 3 - faqs

Standard Palau FAQS

Please note these are generic FAQs about Palau in general and not always boat specific.
If you are unsure about something please ask us to get confirmation.

Getting to Palau
We recommend that you arrive one night prior to the boat’s departure date to avoid any issues.
United Airlines currently holds flights to Palau via Guam (daily) or Manila on certain days.
Guam can be reached from Hawaii, Western USA, Australia, Seoul and Tokyo.
Manila is a major hub serviced by flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, amongst others, however, check up-to-date fares and schedules on United Airlines website or any booking agency like Kayak for instance.
Also be sure to check the up-to-date baggage restrictions and requirements for your flight.
Occasional direct flights to Palau are available from Taipei.
We recommend that you make reservations well ahead of time as well and purchase travel insurance also to cover any last-minute cancellations or health issues.

Entry requirements
U.S. citizens must show proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or passport). Non-U.S. citizens must show passport. There is a free 30-day visa issued upon arrival.

Upon arrival
At the Palau airport, you will be picked up by your hotel or the boat representative and transported to the boat dependant on when you arrive.

Clothing
Bring very casual and lightweight clothing. Quick-dry material or light cotton works well, with maybe one long-sleeved shirt or sweater for chilly nights.
We also recommend a waterproof jacket or windbreaker. On the island, dress is very casual, though beachwear in town is inappropriate. We recommend bringing hats,sunscreen and sunglasses.

Language
Palauan and Englishare both official languages. Both are widely spoken.

Currency
The U.S. dollar is used throughout Palau. Credit cards are widely accepted.
There are quite a few 24-hour ATMs in banks on the main road in Koror, The Bank of Hawaii and Bank of Guam are represented.

Electricity
24-hour electricity comes in 110 and 220/240 volts, with standard U.S. outlets for two/three prong plugs.

Health
There is no malaria.
We recommend drinking bottled water.
The hospital on Palau is the Belau National Hospital, located in Koror and there are also two private clinics.
There is a hyperbaric chamber at the Belau National Hospital.<

Time zone
Palau, Japan and Korea are 9 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, in London), Palau = GMT + 9.

Climate
Year round our climate is pretty uniform, at an average of 82 degrees F (27 C). Average humidity: 82 %. Rainfall, at 150 inches/year, can occur throughout the year.
Though sometimes it rains more during July through October, this “rainy season” doesn’t have a definitive start or end, and the weather is always changing and unpredictable.
However, it is always dive-worthy.
The warm tropical waters of Palau are pleasant throughout the year averaging 27°C (82 °F). Most guests will find a 3mm shortie or even a skin suit is appropriate, though if you feel the cold easily you may wish to opt for a 3-5mm long suit.

Hotel Reservations
Accommodations in Palau range from budget motels to very upscale resorts.

General and Diving Health
Health care is readily available in Palau. The Belau National Hospital is a professionally staffed hospital with an experienced barotraumas team. Follow normal precautions with food whilst travelling to prevent stomach upsets and be sure to drink bottled water only.
On board you will find a fully stocked first aid kit, AED and medical grade O2. Basic supplies will be made available to you, if you require medication please ask your cruise director. For diving related emergencies there is a recompression chamber in Koror.
Speedboat evacuation from the boat would be necessary thus diving specific insurance is a must on any liveaboard dive trip.
Dive insurance is mandatory as is your own personal dive computer (You can rent one for the trip if you do not have your own).
As well as the Mandatory Dive insurance we highly recommend trip cancellation and travel insurance on the off chance of cancelled flights / lost baggage / Covid issues or other unforeseen problems that hopefully will not occur.
Dive Assure offers covers for all these eventualities as well as complete Dive insurance all in one package.

What dive experience level is recommended for Palau Liveaboard trips?
Whilst most dives are suitable for divers of all levels, beginners may find some dives challenging and prefer to skip the dive.
Currents are to be expected at sites including Blue Corner and Ulong Channel. your cruise director and dive team will be on hand to advise so you may decided whether the dive is suitable for you.
Most Liveaboards require advanced experience or taking your PADI Advanced course whilst onboard to maximise your enjoyment from the trip.