Palau Bumphead Spawning Trip 2028

Reefs
Jan 19, 2028 - Jan 26, 2028

Join Bluewater Travel for this brand new and unique itinerary offering the opportunity to photograph the amazing bumphead parrotfish spawning event in Palau.

$500 Early Booking Discount until 31st July 2026

Palau Bumphead Spawning Trip 2028 - image

Free Photo Workshops

Off the Beaten Track

Nitrox Included

Why Join This Trip

  • The trip is scheduled to target the expected Bumphead Parrotfish Spawning date over the new moon

  • Experience Palau's thrilling drift dives and abundance of pelagics

  • Enjoy one of Palau's newest high-end liveaboards with FREE NITROX!

  • Diver to Guide ratio is 6:1

  • 25% off rental photo gear from Bluewater Photo

  • Fully refundable deposit until 12 months from departure

Trip overview

This 7-night liveaboard adventure aboard the M/Y Black Pearl takes divers to the heart of Palau’s stunning Rock Islands and Southern Lagoon, offering a unique opportunity to witness the spectacular New Moon Bumphead Parrotfish spawning. Each day features 3–4 dives at some of the world’s most renowned sites, including the dramatic walls of Blue Corner, where strong currents bring schools of barracuda and reef sharks; the manta-rich waters of German Channel; and the narrow, coral-filled passage of Ulong Channel.

A bumphead parrotfishThe bumphead parrotfish spawning

For more information, check out Liveaboard Diving in Palau.

Sample Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to weather and other conditions.

  • Day 1 – Embarkation
    Guests are picked up from their hotel in Koror and transferred to Malakal Port for boarding. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed aboard the M/Y Black Pearl with a welcome drink and vessel orientation. A full safety briefing follows dinner. No diving is scheduled on the first day.
  • Days 2 – 3
    Daily diving begins with 3–4 dives per day at Palau’s signature sites, including Blue Corner and German Channel. Strong currents attract large schools of fish, reef sharks, and manta rays. Optional night dives are available, conditions permitting. Evenings are spent relaxing onboard and enjoying the yacht’s amenities.
  • Day 4
    Diving focuses on Ulong Channel and surrounding reef systems. Sites are selected based on tides, currents, and marine life activity, offering excellent drift diving and reef encounters. The day concludes with sunset views over the Rock Islands.
  • Days 5 – 6
    Special dives are timed with the New Moon to witness the Bumphead Parrotfish spawning in the Southern Lagoon. Additional dives may include Chandelier Cave and nearby coral walls, providing opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography.
  • Day 7
    Dives continue in surrounding lagoons, followed by additional dives at select sites chosen according to conditions and wildlife activity. Optional night dives and social activities onboard are available.
  • Last Day – Disembarkation
    A final morning dive is offered if time and conditions allow, followed by breakfast onboard. Guests disembark at Malakal Port with transfers back to their hotel or Koror Airport.


Marine Life to Photograph

Palau is a paradise for underwater photographers, offering a dazzling diversity of marine life across its reefs, channels, and lagoons. Divers can capture schools of barracuda and trevally swirling in strong currents at Blue Corner, graceful manta rays gliding through German Channel, and the unique spectacle of Bumphead Parrotfish spawning in the Southern Lagoon. The rock walls of Ulong Channel and the coral gardens of the Rock Islands are alive with vibrant reef fish, including sweetlips, butterflyfish, and clownfish, alongside reef sharks, Napoleon wrasses, and occasional bull sharks. Macro enthusiasts will delight in colorful nudibranchs, shrimps, and seahorses. With such a range of species and behaviors, Palau provides endless creative possibilities for both wide-angle and macro underwater photography.

Diving Conditions

In January, diving in Palau offers warm water temperatures, though visibility can vary slightly due to seasonal currents. Weather-wise, January falls in the wetter season, bringing higher humidity and occasional rain showers, but conditions are generally stable, and diving remains very rewarding. 

  • Water temperature: 80–82°F (27–28°C) 
  • Visibility: 50–100 feet (15–30 m), with some variation depending on currents and rainfall 
  • Depth range: 15–100 ft (5–30 m)

Recommended Scuba Gear

Download our full scuba gear guide to Palau, Bluewater Travel guests receive 10% OFF!


Trip Inclusions

  • Full-board accommodation on the Black Pearl, twin share

  • 3 meals for every full day onboard

  • Free drinking water, tea, instant coffee

  • Two-way transfers only between the hotels in Koror area and Malakal Port

  • 3 guided dives each day (except 2nd last day), plus 1 night dive

  • 12-litre tanks, weights, and weight belts

  • Nitrox for EANx certified divers

  • WiFi

  • An array of activities such as beach BBQ, cocktail party, Jacuzzi pool, snorkelling, paddleboard, kayaking, etc.

  • Palau Goods & Services Tax (PGST)

  • Fuel surcharges

Trip Exclusions

  • Marine Park Fees and Taxes ($150 per person, paid on board)

  • Transfer between Koror (ROR) Airport (and islands outside of Koror area) and Malakal Port ($25 one-way)

  • International flights

  • Pre- or post-cruise accommodation

  • Specialty coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages

  • 15-litre tank rentals and dive gear rentals

  • Diving insurance (mandatory)

  • Crew gratuities

  • Travel Insurance - ask us about our preferred partner plan

  • *Onboard fees and charges are subject to change.

Accommodation

About the Black Pearl

For further details about the accommodation, visit our dedicated M/Y Black Pearl page. The Black Pearl is a luxury liveaboard offering exceptional diving adventures in Palau, featuring 11 stylish cabins for up to 22 guests. The upper-deck Master Seaview cabins and lower-deck Deluxe cabins all come equipped with ensuite bathrooms and modern amenities. Guests can enjoy 3 meals a day with light snacks, comfortable indoor and outdoor lounges, a sun deck, Jacuzzi, camera bay, and entertainment facilities. The vessel also provides expert dive guides, well-equipped tenders, and a large camera station for underwater photography.

Black Pearl exteriorShaded bar area

Indoor dining areaTwin bed accommodation

Black Pearl Deck Plan

Connectivity 

There is free Wi-Fi onboard, however, there may be limited or no access to internet once the yacht sails into a remote area or open sea. If you prefer a SIM card, M/Y Black Pearl offers SIM card free rentals during the cruise.

Trip Price

Trip starts from $4,080 per person.

Deluxe Cabin - image

$500 OFF

Deluxe Cabin

Air Conditioning (AC)

En Suite Bathroom

Wifi

Nitrox

Double-occupancy

$4,580

$4,080

per person

Seaview Cabin - image

$500 OFF

Seaview Cabin

Air Conditioning (AC)

En Suite Bathroom

Wifi

Nitrox

Double-occupancy

$4,860

$4,360

per person

Master Seaview Cabin - image

$500 OFF

Master Seaview Cabin

Air Conditioning (AC)

En Suite Bathroom

Wifi

Nitrox

Double-occupancy

$5,220

$4,720

per person

Payment Schedule

  • Deposit: $1,000 to book your spot 
  • Payment 2: $2,000 due 1 January 2027 
  • Balance: due 1 December 2027
Book this Trip

Extend your trip

Palau Trip Extensions

Want to extend your trip? We can also help with that. Contact us for ideas and recommendations for extending your time in Palau or the surrounding area:

Palau Trip Extensions

Inquire about this trip

Check availability
and start planning your perfect trip

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