Welcome to Ngedbus Coral Garden, a stunning dive site located in the crystal-clear waters of Palau. As an expert dive shop, we highly recommend this dive site for novice divers due to its calm and easy conditions, but don't be fooled, it's also a popular spot for experienced divers looking for an unforgettable experience.
Located just 28 miles (45 kilometers) southwest of Koror, this dive site is easily accessible by speedboat from most dive shops in the area, taking approximately 50 minutes to reach. Once you arrive, you'll be greeted with breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and a vibrant coral garden that starts just a few feet from the surface.
The reef formation at Ngedbus Coral Garden runs from Turtle Cove's Blue Hole to Ngedbus Corner, offering divers an impressive range of marine life to discover. The gentle coral slope drops down to 70 feet (23 m) before transitioning into a run-off of broken corals and sand, making it the perfect spot for both novice and experienced divers.
Visibility at this dive site is remarkable, ranging from 40 to 80 feet (13 to 27 m) depending on the tides. The best time to experience the best visibility is during incoming tide, allowing you to fully appreciate the spectacular marine life that call this place home.
As you descend into the crystal-clear waters, you'll quickly realize that Ngedbus Coral Garden is a diver's paradise. The coral formations are breathtaking, and the deep canyons and crevices create an environment that attracts a vast range of marine life. This dive site is home to just about every variety of tropical fish you can imagine, making for a colorful and lively experience.
One of the many highlights of diving at Ngedbus Coral Garden is the opportunity to encounter some rare and unusual marine life. The well-camouflaged Crocodile fish, stingrays, and Cuttlefish are often spotted here, along with Blue Ribbon Eels, Snake Eels, Crocodile Eels, and a rare Scorpion fish (Rhinopius aphanes). Schools of Black Tip Reef Sharks usually greet approaching dive boats, but don't worry, they're very shy.
Diving at Ngedbus Coral Garden is an easy and accessible experience for beginner divers. It's often used by dive shops as a good place for a checkout dive. Start your dive from the shallow area and go down the slope to approximately 75 feet (25 m), where very large coral heads dominate the bottom. These large coral heads give shelter to many Lionfish of all sizes and colors. Follow the slope to the southwest, rising up to and keeping a depth of 30 to 45 feet (10 to 15 m). The area is large, and there are many canyons and cuts in the reef to explore. The patient and observant diver will find many surprises, from small and colorful nudibranchs to large schools of fish.
If you're looking for a place to relax and recharge, Ngedbus Coral Garden is also a great spot for snorkeling. The area is full of life, and you can easily spend hours exploring the stunning coral formations and encountering a wide variety of marine life.
Lastly, we can't mention Ngedbus Coral Garden without highlighting its fascinating history. This dive site is also known as Matthew's Place, named after one of Palau's pioneer dive guides, Matthew Elebelau. Matthew is an immigration officer at the Koror International Airport and has been an integral part of Palau's diving community for many years. Most likely, you'll have Matthew's signature in your passport, and it's an honor to dive in a place that holds such significant history and meaning.