 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ADVISORY FOR GUESTS DEPARTING FROM MANILA:
Effective Oct 2, 2007
Departures from Manila to Koror, Palau, which used to be a Saturday to Saturday are now Friday to Friday, as Continental Airlines has changed their schedule.
The flight from Manila will arrive in Koror on Saturday, at 1:50 am! (the flight actually leaves Manila on a Friday, but arrives in Koror on Saturday early morning). Koror-Manila is 7:35 pm on a Friday.
If there are no other guests on the vessel (flights from Guam are still Saturday to Saturday) we can transfer the guests directly to the Big Blue Explorer/Eco Explorer.
However, if there are still guests on board we will have to transfer guests that flew into Koror from Manila to a hotel, which will probably be one of the West Plaza Chain.
Later in the morning (still Saturday) the guests will be picked up at their hotel, taken to our land base office/ dive shop where they will board the chase boats for dives to be conducted in the immediate area (Helmet Wreck, Fishing Boat Wreck, Chandelier Cave, etc.).
If there are guests on the Big Blue Explorer/Eco Explorer that flew in from Guam, they will depart the vessel around lunchtime on Saturday to catch their flight back to Guam. By then it would be possible to bring the guests that flew in from Manila to the Big Blue Explorer/Eco Explorer.
As the return flight to Manila leaves on a Friday, there will obviously be no diving on this day. However, we have scheduled Jellyfish Lake and a Rock Island Tour on this day as well.
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1. Where is Palau?
Palau is located in the north of the equator in western Pacific Ocean. 2. How do I get to Palau?
Cruise Island Adventure can give special fares for guests going to Palau (Manila/Koror/Manila). Most visitors to Palau arrive on Continental Airlines by the way of Guam, the international air service hub for the Micronesia region. Two weekly flights from Manila and charter flights also currently connect Palau with other metropolitan Asian cities. *** For guests entering via Guam a US Visa is required.
3. What is the Continental Airlines Flight Schedules from Manila?
Effective January 1, 2008, Flight Schedules are as follows: Wednesday/Friday | Manila/ Koror | CO892 | 2210 | 0150 | Wednesday/Friday | Koror/Manila | CO893 | 1935 | 2110 |
*** Note: Above flight schedules are subject to change without prior notice. 4. What is included in the Palau Saturday to Saturday package? Accommodations on board, unlimited no decompression diving, tanks, weights, weight belt, boat, services of a divemaster roundtrip transfers from Koror airport to BBE boat, meals, and complimentary tea, coffee, juice. 5. How many days is the Saturday to Saturday package? The Palau Saturday to Saturday Packages is eight days/ seven nights. First Dive is on Sunday morning and ends on Friday afternoon. 6. How many dives can be done in one day? Guests can do maximum of 4 Dives a Day with 1 Night Dive. 7. When is check in and check-out time on the vessel? For Guests Arriving via Guam: Embarkation is no earlier than 3pm and disembarkation is on Saturday following week no later than 10 am. For Guests Arriving via Manila: Embarkation time is 0300am, Saturday and disembarkation time is 0300PM, Friday. 8. What are the taxes or fees not included in the package? The taxes that are not included in the package are the Koror State Diving Permit which is US $35.00/ person, Peleliu tax at US $20.00/person, Airport departure tax $ 20, Cabin Tax of $10 per pax PER NIGHT, gear Rentals, Courses, Alcoholic Beverages and Souvenir Items on board.
9. Do I need a Visa and Passport?
Proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate) by US citizens’ id required. Visas are not required. Non-US citizens must have a valid passport. All visitors must have return travel arrangements or approval by the Chief of Immigration for an extended stay. 10. How will I go onboard the Eco Explorer? Upon arrival in Koror, our Expedition Fleet Staff will welcome you in their uniform with a banner. Palau is a small island; no one is reported to be lost. 11. What is the weather in Palau? And when is the best time to go to Palau? Palau enjoys a pleasantly warm climate all year round. Palau enjoys an annual mean temperature of 82 degrees F (27 C). Rain showers starts on the month of June, but the rainy season starts September to November. Although rain falls during these months, most of the dive sites are sheltered by the island and there is still much sunshine. Then, thru December to February, trade winds start to blow. Typhoons are rare as Palau is located outside the typhoon zone. 12. Are tender boats used? We have two ten meter chase boat with a maximum capacity of 18 persons. 13. Is there night diving? Yes there is, starting on the second day of diving. Please take a look of our sample itinerary. 14. Should I be an advanced diver? Diving in Palau is open to all Open Water Divers. An Advanced Open Water Diver Certification is a plus. 15. What wetsuit should I use in diving? You could use a 3mm wetsuit all year round but during the months of December, January and February, you have to bring a vest and overlapping wetsuit. 16. How can we contact Eco Explorer? During the one week trip, you can only contact Big Blue Explorer/Eco Explorer at their satellite mobile no. And during Saturday’s thru our Boat Manager mobile no . 17. In case of emergency where is the nearest medical and recompression facilities? Here are the medical and recompression contact: BELAU NATIONAL HOSPITAL & RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER
Ngerekebesang Island
Tel. No: 680-488-2558
DR. YANO’S BELAU MEDICAL CLINIC
Koror Center Tel.No: 680-488-2688
SDA Clinic
Behind the post office in Koror
Tel.No: 680-488-1911
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