Palau Siren 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...

Palau is a world-renowned diving destination, characterized by its excellent visibility, warm water, and abundant marine life. Divers can expect to see a wide variety of hard and soft corals and diverse marine life including sharks, rays, turtles, and other marine creatures. Large pelagics are common on dives. And liveaboard yachts offer the best way to experience Palau’s diving, allowing divers to access remote areas and spend more time underwater.

The Palau Siren is a traditional phinisi schooner, handcrafted from ironwood and teak. Built in Sulawesi, this luxurious liveaboard has eight spacious cabins and can accommodate up to 16 guests. It features a spacious dive deck, individual dive stations, and plenty of storage for dive gear. Perfect for underwater photography and videography, there’s also a camera room where divers can edit the day’s captures.

Let’s dive into our review of the Palau Siren.

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:

  • Camera room is great for photographers and videographers
  • Luxurious, comfortable, and spacious cabins
  • Huge deck with shaded areas for relaxing
  • Professional, helpful, and knowledgeable team

Things we don't like:

  • Nitrox costs extra
  • Alcohol is available but not included
  • Marine park and port fees not included

Diving on the Palau Siren liveaboard

Offering trips ranging from three to 10 nights, most itineraries include a mix of dive sites, including walls, reefs, wrecks, and drift dives. All diving is done from good-sized tenders with no need to fight for space. The dive crew transports all equipment to the tender, where divers can gear up and start their dive.

With up to four guided dives a day, including night dives, divers can also take in Chandelier Cave. Filled with stalactites and stalagmites, the cave is home to a variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, and turtles.

Other standout highlights include the diversity of coral on some of the healthiest reefs in the world, frequent encounters with manta rays, sharks, and other pelagic creatures, and the opportunity to dive the Japanese World War II wreck, the Iro Maru.

The minimum qualification required is an Advanced Open Water. The diving conditions in Palau are excellent, with warm water temperatures, clear visibility, and abundant marine life. The boat is luxurious, comfortable and well-maintained, and the crew of 12 is experienced, helpful, and extremely friendly. All dives are guided and there are three guides on board.

Highlights:

  • Regular encounters with mantas, eagle rays, and reef sharks
  • Excellent macro and wide-angle photography opportunities
  • Diverse range of dive sites
  • Nitrox is available for an additional cost

Onboard the Palau Siren

This lovely sailing yacht, measuring 131 feet (40 m), was built by divers for divers. The Palau Siren has eight double-occupancy cabins, accommodating up to 16 guests. All the cabins are ensuite and have individually controlled air conditioning. Fitted out in rich woods, the cabins have comfortable beds, are quite spacious, and have good storage facilities.

The air conditioned salon is spectacular and located on the main deck. Spacious, luxurious and comfortable, common areas are dressed in rich teak with comfortable chairs. Here, guests can relax and socialize. The Palau Siren has a number of entertainment options on board, including a large flatscreen TV, DVD player, and a sound system. There is also a small library and a games room.

Outside, guests can unwind on the huge sundeck while taking in the sunshine and the views. A shaded aft deck offers a place to relax in the shade.

The dive deck is located toward the bow, in front of the salon. It’s well-designed, well-organized, and spacious. There are individual stations, gear racks, and plenty of storage space. The dive deck also features two hot showers and rinse tanks for gear and camera equipment. Crew will transport all equipment from the dive deck to tenders, which transfer guests to the dive site. Divers kit up on the tenders before jumping in.

Highlights:

  • Luxurious and comfortable with wood fittings throughout
  • Cocktail bar in the salon
  • Well-designed dive deck with lots of storage
  • Dedicated camera area

Dining onboard the Palau Siren

Dining onboard the Palau Siren is exceptional. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served in the covered outdoor dining area, which offers spectacular views. Most meals are served buffet-style, with a mix of local and Western cuisine, and there is also a sit-down dinner on one night of the trip.

A light breakfast is served before the first dive with a full breakfast served between the first and second dives. Mid-morning and afternoon snacks are also available.

Special diets can be catered for and two weeks’ notice is requested for special requirements. Wine, beer, and alcohol are not included in the price of the trip, however, guests can purchase drinks from the onboard bar. Tea, coffee, water, fruit juices and soft drinks are all included.

Highlights:

  • Excellent quality food with lots of choice
  • Alcohol is available though not included

Things we like:

  • Camera room is great for photographers and videographers
  • Luxurious, comfortable, and spacious cabins
  • Huge deck with shaded areas for relaxing
  • Professional, helpful, and knowledgeable team

Things we don't like:

  • Nitrox costs extra
  • Alcohol is available but not included
  • Marine park and port fees not included
Key Facts
Year Built 2012
Max Divers 16
Price Range Mid-range
Trip Length < 5 Nights
Internet Yes ($)
Nitrox Yes ($)
Equipment Rental Yes ($)
Camera Station Yes
Air Conditioning Yes
Min. Logged Dives No minimum
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