Palau Aggressor II Liveaboard overview

By
Sarah Turnbull
Contributor at DIVEIN.com
Sarah is a writer, PADI instructor and underwater photographer based in Mauritius. Diving across 5 continents, she has a love of all things ocean-related and an...
Rebecca Strauss
Editor at DIVEIN.com
Rebecca has been an avid traveler and scuba diver for many years. She began her editorial career by updating travel guides, which took her all over...

Famed for its incredible biodiversity, crystal-clear waters, and stunning dive sites, Palau offers drop-offs, walls, reefs, wrecks, and caves. Divers can expect to see a huge diversity of marine life, including sharks, mantas, rays, turtles, dolphins, and an array of fish and coral species. Some of the standout dives sites include Blue Corner, German Channel, Chandelier Caves, Jellyfish Lake, and Iro Maru wreck.

The Palau Aggressor II is a 106-foot (32.3 m) liveaboard yacht that offers world-class diving and easy access to dive sites. Itineraries typically start and finish in Koror, which is the largest island in Palau and home to the main international airport.

This comfortable vessel was built in 1994 and refurbished in 2014. It has nine individually climate-controlled cabins that can accommodate up to 18 guests. The crew consists of seven experienced and knowledgeable staff. Onboard, there’s a comfortable salon, dining area, and sundeck where guests can relax and socialize.

Let’s dive into our review of the Palau Aggressor II.

About this review

To help you find a that will fit your needs, we’ve tested, researched, and reviewed the best ones available today.
We test both in the water, diving in various conditions - and in our lab - so we can give you accurate answers on quality, performance, and the overall value.

Read about our test of s

Things we like:

  • Friendly and professional crew
  • Chef-prepared meals with complimentary beer and wine
  • Up to five dives a day
  • All diving done from a skiff

Things we don't like:

  • Port fees not included: $240 per trip

Diving on the Palau Aggressor II

The Palau Aggressor II typically offers a 7-night “Best of Palau” itinerary. Guests can expect up to five dives a day, including night dives.

Palau has some of the best diving conditions in the world, with warm water, clear visibility, and a wide variety of dive sites, including world-class wall dives where divers may see large pelagics, shallow reefs with an abundance of hard and soft coral, drift dives, and wrecks.

Palau is a very well-managed marine environment, with strict regulations in place to protect the coral reefs and marine life. The Palau Aggressor II has access to remote dives sites because of its small size and highly experienced crew. Large pelagics are common depending on the time of year and dive site. Divers are more likely to see them at dive sites with strong currents, such as Blue Corner and German Channel.

Palau is a great destination for underwater photographers thanks to clear water and abundant marine life. The best type of photography for Palau is wide-angle photography, as it allows enthusiasts to capture the scale and beauty of the dive sites. Macro photography is also popular, as there are many small and interesting creatures to find.

The Palau Aggressor II is most suited for experienced divers who are comfortable with drift dives and strong currents. All dives are made from the 18-passenger dive skiff, and the minimum qualification required is Advanced Open Water Diver.

Rental equipment is available on board the Palau Aggressor II and must be booked in advance.

Highlights:

  • Unlimited nitrox available for an extra fee depending on length of trip
  • Large pelagics are common at sites with stronger currents
  • Spectacular array of hard and soft corals
  • Up to five dives a day including night dives
  • World War II wrecks

Onboard the Palau Aggressor II

The Palau Aggressor II has nine en-suite, air-conditioned cabins. Eight cabins are on the lower deck, with one on dive deck level. All are comfortable and each cabin has a double bed or twin beds, a safe, and plenty of storage space.

The roomy salon and dining area are located on the main deck. In the salon, you’ll find a large TV, DVD player, stereo system, and a selection of books and games. Guests are welcome to bring their own movies and entertainment. The dining area is located next to the salon.

The décor of the Palau Aggressor II is simple and functional. The cabins are decorated in a traditional style, while the salon and dining area are decorated with wood in abundance.

Outside, the sundeck offers a large, open space with loungers and hammocks on which to relax and take in the views. Grab a seat at one of the tables and chairs for a drink, meal, or snack. There is also a covered area on the main deck with seating, a wet bar, and BBQ area.

Detailed dive briefings take place on the spacious dive deck, which includes individual dive stations with plenty of storage, two powerful freshwater showers, and a camera table where you can prepare equipment before dives. All dives take place from a skiff.

Highlights:

  • Intimate atmosphere with a maximum of 18 guests
  • Dedicated camera table
  • Comfortable cabins with plenty of storage
  • Large sundeck with loungers and hammocks for relaxation

Dining onboard the Palau Aggressor II

The Palau Aggressor II serves three excellent meals per day. All meals are chef-prepared and accompanied by a homemade dessert. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks are also available and include cakes and light bites.

The food on the Palau Aggressor II is a mixture of local and Western cuisine with a variety of American feasts and barbecues. Special dietary requirements are catered for, and guests should notify the yacht in advance of their trip.

Wine, beer, fruit juices, soft drinks and tea and coffee are complimentary on the Palau Aggressor II, but there are some limitations on how much is included each meal. Additional drinks can be purchased at the bar. Palau charges high duty on liquor, so guests are invited to bring their preferred brand if desired.

Highlights:

  • Great variety of meals including barbecues and American feasts
  • Alcohol included with meals (excludes liquor/spirits)
  • Excellent quality food and service

Things we like:

  • Friendly and professional crew
  • Chef-prepared meals with complimentary beer and wine
  • Up to five dives a day
  • All diving done from a skiff

Things we don't like:

  • Port fees not included: $240 per trip
Key Facts
Year Built 1994
Max Divers 18
Price Range Budget
Trip Length < 5 Nights
Internet No
Nitrox Yes ($)
Equipment Rental Yes ($)
Camera Station Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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