Welcome to Ngerchong, a dive site located on the eastern reefs of the Palau Islands. This area is a popular destination for divers of all levels, offering a range of depths and marine life to explore. Whether you're a novice or intermediate diver, you'll find something to excite and challenge you at Ngerchong.
The dive begins with a descent down the mooring line, to the bottom at 18 feet (6m). From there, you'll swim east above the slope and toward open water for approximately 45 feet (15m) until you approach the reef wall. Keep the wall to your left as you continue along, exploring deep canyons and crevices that cut through the reef wall from the top of the reef at 15 feet (5m) down to over 100 feet (33m).
One of the most fascinating aspects of Ngerchong is the presence of cleaning stations along the face of the reef wall between the 50 and 70-foot (17 and 23m) level. These stations are easy to identify, with numerous fish waiting for cleaner wrasses to do their job. Take time to observe the action at the cleaning stations, as you'll find it fascinating.
Ngerchong Wall is covered with a diverse array of soft and hard corals, providing a stunning backdrop for your dive. Keep an eye out for a variety of marine life, including Gray Reef Sharks, Black Tip Sharks, and sleeping White Tip Sharks. You may also encounter turtles, rays, and on occasion, a migrating Whale Shark. During the months of September through November, Ngerchong Wall becomes a nursery for baby Gray Reef Sharks. At 40 to 80 feet (13 to 27m), look for large schools of juvenile sharks 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30cm) long, patrolling the water accompanied by an adult female. This is an excellent opportunity for photos and videos.
The reef formation at Ngerchong is a steep drop-off that runs south to north before turning northeast toward Chudel Reef. The reef wall is shallow and wide at the entrance to Denges Channel (also known as Ngerchong Channel), with a shallow area at the top of the reef to the south decorated with table corals. The shallow area to the north is a sandy plateau (channel entrance) littered with huge coral heads.
The currents around Ngerchong vary depending on the direction of the tide. During an incoming tide, visibility can reach 90 to 120 feet (30 to 40 meters), while during the outgoing tide, visibility drops to 30 to 90 feet (10 to 30 meters). The incoming tidal current around Ngerchong flows from south to north, pushing divers to the west if they approach the shallow entrance to Denges Channel during the incoming tide. During the outgoing tide, divers will be swept gently toward the open ocean. If you stay close to the reef wall, the outgoing current will not have any effect.
For those interested in optimizing their diving experience, Ngerchong is best visited when the wind shifts to the west. This dive site typically offers the best visibility in Palau.
In summary, Ngerchong is a must-see dive site for those visiting Palau. With its diverse marine life, stunning reef formation, and fascinating cleaning stations, it offers something for divers of all levels. Whether you're a beginner or experienced diver, Ngerchong is an excellent choice for your next dive.