This versatile corner dive connects the famous Siaes reef chain, offering something for every diver with depths ranging from shallow coral gardens to deep wall sections. Whether you're a novice exploring the upper reef or an advanced diver pushing deeper, Siaes Corner delivers world-class diving without the extreme conditions of its neighboring sites.
Palau Dive Sites - Ulong Island
Discover the underwater paradise of Palau
Siaes Corner
Multi-level corner diving for all experience levels
Location
North-northwest of Ulong Island and west of Koror
Distance
17 miles (27 km) from Koror
Travel Time
40-50 minutes by speedboat
Experience Level
All Levels
About Siaes Corner
Siaes Corner offers one of Palau's most versatile diving experiences, accommodating divers from novice to advanced levels on a single site. This spectacular corner dive features a vertical drop-off that begins in shallow water and provides multiple depth options for different experience levels, making it perfect for mixed groups and diverse diving preferences.
Reef System Connection
Siaes Corner forms part of an extensive reef system that starts at Ulong Channel, runs north toward Siaes Tunnel, and culminates with Siaes Wall and Corner. This interconnected system creates a diverse underwater landscape with unique characteristics at each section, making the entire area a premier diving destination.
Extended Reef System
The reef system spans from Ulong Channel in the south, through Siaes Corner, to Siaes Tunnel in the north, ending with Siaes Wall. This extensive formation creates diverse diving opportunities and serves as a marine highway for large pelagic species moving between sites.
Fire Coral & Stinging Hydroids Warning
It's not uncommon to encounter fire corals and stinging hydroids along the top of the reef. Maintain good buoyancy control and avoid contact with reef surfaces. Protective gloves are recommended, and divers should be aware of these hazards, especially in shallow areas.
Multi-Level Diving Opportunity
The vertical drop-off starting at 10-15 feet and extending to 120-160 feet allows divers of all experience levels to enjoy the same site safely. Novices can explore the shallow reef top while advanced divers can venture deeper along the wall.
Corner Action Central
During incoming tides, the current at the corner creates perfect conditions for observing large schools of gray reef sharks and massive aggregations of reef fish. The corner's geography concentrates marine life, creating spectacular underwater viewing opportunities.
Diving Depths & Visibility
10-15 feet (3-5 m)
Vertical drop-off start - perfect for novice divers and safety stops
30-60 feet (10-20 m)
Optimal depth for marine life action and reef exploration
120-160 feet (40-50 m)
Wall base before merging with sandy/broken coral slope
Visibility Conditions
Range: 50-120 feet (17-40 m)
Incoming Tides: Better visibility with clearer water
Outgoing Tides: Reduced visibility conditions
Optimal Conditions: Strong incoming tide for marine life activity
Perfect Multi-Level Profile
The shallow start at 10-15 feet makes this site accessible to new divers, while the wall extending to 160 feet provides opportunities for advanced divers. This depth range allows for excellent multi-level diving profiles and extended bottom times.
Tidal Visibility Patterns
Visibility varies significantly with tidal conditions. Incoming tides bring clear ocean water and attract marine life, while outgoing tides may reduce visibility. Plan dive timing around incoming tides for optimal conditions and marine encounters.
Wall to Slope Transition
The wall drops to 120-160 feet before merging with a moderate sandy/broken coral slope. This transition zone often hosts different marine life and provides interesting topographical variety for deeper exploration.
Current Management & Safety
Strong Current Potential
Currents can get strong at Siaes Corner, especially during incoming tides when marine life activity is at its peak. Reef hooks are highly recommended and will make the dive significantly more enjoyable by allowing stationary observation of the action.
Current Characteristics
Strength: Variable - can become strong during tidal changes
Direction: Depends on tidal flow and reef orientation
Best Conditions: Incoming tide for marine life aggregations
Equipment: Reef hooks recommended for comfortable observation
Reef Hook Benefits
Reef hooks make the dive significantly more enjoyable by allowing you to maintain position during strong currents. This enables comfortable observation of shark schools and feeding aggregations without fighting the current or missing the action.
Fire Coral & Hydroid Hazards
Fire corals and stinging hydroids are commonly encountered along the reef top. These organisms can cause painful stings and skin irritation. Maintain excellent buoyancy control, avoid touching reef surfaces, and consider protective gear for shallow areas.
Current-Dependent Entry Strategy
Dive entry typically starts on either side of the corner depending on current direction. Your dive guide will assess conditions and choose the optimal starting point to maximize marine life encounters while working with the natural water flow.
Multi-Level Current Management
Different depths may experience varying current strengths. Shallow areas near the reef top may have different flow patterns than deeper sections along the wall, allowing divers to find comfortable positions regardless of experience level.
Spectacular Corner Marine Life
Siaes Corner's position as a current-swept corner creates ideal conditions for marine life aggregations, from large shark schools to colorful reef fish communities and regular turtle encounters.
Gray Reef Sharks
Large schools during incoming tide at the corner
Tropical Fish Clouds
Pyramid butterflyfish, Square Anthias, Moorish Idols, Sergeant Majors
Schooling Fusiliers
Yellowtail fusiliers in massive feeding aggregations
Large Angelfish
Blue face, Regal, and Emperor Angelfish common sightings
Clownfish Communities
Clarkii and blue-striped clownfish with host anemones
Sea Turtles
Hawksbill and green turtles - frequent visitors, not camera shy
Plankton Feeders
Anthias, fusiliers feeding on plankton in current
Reef Sharks
Gray and whitetip reef sharks maintaining constant patrol
Incoming Tide Shark Spectacle
During incoming tide, the current at the corner is strong and large schools of gray reef sharks can be seen. This concentration of apex predators creates one of Palau's most thrilling underwater encounters, especially when observed from a reef hook position.
Turtle Feeding Encounters
Hawksbill and green turtles are frequent visitors to this site and can be easily approached - they're not camera shy! Keep an eye out for them feeding along the top and edges of the reef during your drift to the corner.
Angelfish Diversity
Blue face, Regal, and Emperor Angelfish are fairly common at Siaes Corner, providing excellent opportunities to observe and photograph these spectacular large reef fish. Their presence indicates the healthy condition of the reef ecosystem.
Plankton Feeding Spectacle
Swarms of anthias, yellowtail and blue fusiliers, along with yellow and white Pyramid butterflyfish, hover just off the reef feeding on plankton. This feeding behavior creates dynamic, constantly moving displays of color and activity.
Multi-Level Corner Diving
Siaes Corner diving follows a flexible approach that accommodates all experience levels while maximizing encounters with the spectacular marine life that congregates at this current-swept corner.
Current-Dependent Entry
Flexible Starting Strategy
The dive usually starts on either side of the corner depending on current direction. This adaptive approach ensures optimal positioning for the drift to the corner while working with natural water movement rather than against it.
Turtle Encounter Drift
Turtle Watching Technique
During your drift to the corner, keep an eye out for hawksbill and green turtles feeding along the top and edges of the reef. They can be easily approached and are not camera shy, providing excellent photo opportunities during the drift phase.
Optimal Viewing Depth
Best Action Zone: 30-60 feet (10-20 m)
Novice Areas: 10-30 feet for comfortable exploration
Advanced Options: Deeper wall sections to 120+ feet
Safety Stop Zone: Shallow reef top perfect for extended stops
Corner Positioning Technique
Reef Hook Deployment
As you reach the corner, slowly ascend to the top of the plateau and attach your reef hook to a rock, being careful not to damage any live corals. This position provides the best vantage point for observing shark schools and feeding aggregations.
Safety Stop Drift
Timing: When bottom time gets short, unhook and continue drifting
Depth: Drift along top of reef during safety stop
Observations: Continue marine life viewing during ascent
Hazards: Watch for fire corals and stinging hydroids in shallow areas
Shallow Area Precautions
During safety stops and shallow exploration, be especially cautious of fire corals and stinging hydroids along the reef top. Maintain excellent buoyancy control and avoid contact with reef surfaces to prevent painful stings.
Why Siaes Corner is Special
- Accommodates all diving experience levels on single site
- Large schools of gray reef sharks during incoming tides
- Frequent turtle encounters - not camera shy
- Diverse angelfish populations including Regal and Emperor
- Part of extensive Siaes reef system
- Spectacular plankton feeding aggregations
- Perfect corner geography concentrating marine life
- Multi-level diving opportunities from 10-160 feet
Perfect Group Diving
Siaes Corner represents the ideal site for mixed-experience groups, allowing novice and advanced divers to enjoy the same location safely while sharing incredible marine life encounters. The flexible depth options ensure everyone can participate comfortably.
Clownfish Behavior & Biology
Siaes Corner provides excellent opportunities to observe clownfish communities and learn about their fascinating social behaviors and biological adaptations.
Clownfish Social Structure
Next time you spot an anemone with its clownfish, take a minute to compare the size of the clownfish. You will find that there is always one larger compared to the rest of them. With clownfish, it is the female who is the dominant individual and she is always the largest fish in the group.
Size Hierarchy System
Dominant Female: Largest fish in the anemone
Breeding Male: Second largest, primary mate
Subordinate Males: Smaller individuals in hierarchical order
Social Structure: Strict size-based dominance system
Sexual Transformation Ability
The male clownfish is much smaller in stature than the female. If you remove the female from the anemone, then the dominant male will change sex and become the female! This remarkable adaptation ensures the survival of the breeding pair and continuation of the species.
Species at Siaes Corner
Clarkii Clownfish: Common species with distinctive markings
Blue-striped Clownfish: Beautiful blue and white striped species
Host Anemones: Various anemone species provide homes
Distribution: Scattered along the shallow reef areas
Observing Clownfish Communities
When observing clownfish at Siaes Corner, look for the size differences within each anemone group. The social hierarchy is clearly visible, and patient observation may reveal territorial behaviors, cleaning activities, and the protective relationship with their host anemone.
Symbiotic Relationship
The relationship between clownfish and their host anemones is one of nature's perfect partnerships. The anemone provides protection with its stinging tentacles, while the clownfish provides nutrients through waste and defends the anemone from predators.
Nature's Flexibility
The clownfish's ability to change sex demonstrates nature's remarkable adaptability. This sequential hermaphroditism ensures that breeding pairs can always be maintained even if the dominant female is lost. And you think you have problems adapting to life changes!
Photography Tips for Clownfish
When photographing clownfish communities at Siaes Corner, look for behavioral interactions that show the size hierarchy. The larger female often occupies the center of the anemone, while smaller males position themselves around the edges. Patience often reveals fascinating social dynamics.