Seven Days in Paradise - A Couple's Palau Adventure
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When Sarah first suggested Palau for our holiday, I'll admit I had to Google it. A tiny island nation in the Pacific with world-class diving? It sounded almost too good to be true. But as someone who's more comfortable with a snorkel than scuba gear, I was curious how we'd both enjoy it. Spoiler alert - it exceeded every expectation we had.
Day 1 - Saturday - Arrival and First Impressions
Our Qantas flight from Brisbane landed at 3:30 PM, and stepping off the plane into Palau's warm, humid air felt like entering a different world. The Fish 'n Fins airport shuttle was waiting for us exactly as promised - no hunting around or confusion, just a friendly driver with our names on a sign. Within minutes, we were driving through lush tropical scenery toward our home base for the week.
The Sea Passion Hotel turned out to be perfectly positioned, literally 100 meters from Fish 'n Fins. Our ocean-view room was spacious with this enormous, incredibly comfortable bed that we both immediately appreciated after the 6-hour flight from Australia. The free Wi-Fi worked perfectly, and having unlimited drinking water was such a thoughtful touch - those little details matter when you're somewhere remote.
Since dinner wasn't included in our package, we explored the nearby dining options. We ended up at Barracuda, Fish 'n Fins' Mediterranean restaurant - a beautiful deck right by the sea where we caught a spectacular sunset. The setting was perfect for our first evening, and the Mediterranean cuisine was a nice contrast to what we expected would be a week of local flavors. The staff confirmed our breakfast was already arranged through Fish 'n Fins for every morning, which would become one of our favorite parts of each day.
Day 2 - Sunday - First Day on the Water
Sunday morning started with that promised breakfast overlooking the water - fresh tropical fruits, eggs, and surprisingly good coffee. Sarah was practically vibrating with excitement about her first dive, while I was eager to see what all the fuss was about from the surface.
Fish 'n Fins picked us up right on schedule. Their boat was impressive - spacious, well-equipped, and clearly maintained by people who know what they're doing. The crew introduced Sarah to Mark, her dive guide, who immediately put her at ease with his calm demeanor and obvious expertise. Meanwhile, I met my snorkeling guide Ray, who assured me I'd see plenty from the surface.
The moment we started cruising through the Rock Islands, I understood why Palau is on every diver's bucket list. These aren't just islands - they're these incredible mushroom-shaped limestone formations covered in dense jungle, rising straight out of crystal-clear water. It's like nature decided to create the most dramatic scenery possible.
Sarah's first dive was at a site called German Channel Palau, and when she surfaced, her face said everything.
"There were manta rays! Massive manta rays just gliding around like they owned the place!"
From my snorkeling perspective, I could see the shadows of these giants below, and even from the surface, it was magical.
After a delicious lunch on the boat, Sarah went for her second dive of the day at another stunning site while I explored a different snorkeling spot. The variety of marine life we saw was incredible, and we both agreed that this was just the beginning of an amazing week of underwater adventures.
Day 3 - Monday - Blue Corner and Falling in Love with Palau
Monday took us to Blue Corner Palau - Complete Guide 2025, apparently one of the most famous dive sites in the world. Sarah joined a group of eight divers with Mark as their guide - Fish 'n Fins keeps their groups small, which we really appreciated. No crowding, no rushing, just proper attention to safety and enjoyment.
While Sarah explored the underwater world at Blue Corner, I discovered that snorkeling in Palau is nothing like snorkeling anywhere else. The visibility was incredible - I could see straight down to the coral formations where the divers were exploring. My guide pointed out different species of fish, explained the coral types, and made sure I was positioned perfectly to see the best action.
After the first dive and snorkeling session, we moved to another site for the second round of the day. Sarah was raving about the sharks - grey reef sharks, she said, just hanging out in the current like it was the most natural thing in the world. From above, I'd watched the shadows and movements, feeling like I was getting a preview of something I needed to experience properly someday.
The scenery during our boat rides was consistently breathtaking. Every turn revealed another postcard-perfect view of these ancient limestone islands. We kept joking that our camera roll was going to be 90% identical photos, but we couldn't help ourselves.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Ulong Channel and Underwater Wonders
Tuesday brought us to Ulong Channel, which our guides described as one of the most beautiful channels in Palau. This shallow channel turned out to be absolutely perfect for both of us - Sarah could drift dive from the outside entrance following the gentle current, while I had the most incredible snorkeling experience of the trip.
The beauty of Ulong Channel is that it's not deep, which meant I could see everything clearly from the surface. Fish life was abundant - colorful reef fish, larger pelagics cruising through, and the coral formations were spectacular. Watching Sarah drift along below while I followed from above, both of us seeing the same amazing underwater landscape from different perspectives, was magical.
After a beach lunch, we headed to Chandelier Cave for Sarah's second dive of the day. She got to swim through underwater caverns with air pockets where you can surface and talk. My snorkeling at the cave site was equally impressive - the coral formations around the cave were some of the most colorful I'd ever seen.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Siaes Corner and Final Underwater Adventures
Our fourth and final day on the water had a bittersweet feeling. Sarah had two more dives, and I had two more snorkeling sessions. We'd both grown attached to our daily routine - the early morning pickup, the boat ride through the Rock Islands, the incredible underwater experiences, and the perfectly timed lunches.
Sarah's final dives were at Siaes Corner in the Ulong area, where she encountered a school of barracuda so large she said it looked like a living tornado. My snorkeling at the same site was equally impressive - I could see the massive school from above, this swirling mass of silver fish that seemed to move with one mind.
During lunch on our final beach, we started talking about our next trip to Palau. Because there definitely will be a next trip. Sarah spent the entire week trying to convince me to get my Open Water certification, and honestly, after seeing what I was missing from the surface, I'm sold.
Day 6 - Thursday - Cultural Exploration
Thursday was deliberately different - we'd booked a land tour with Quincy from Fish 'n Fins. After four days of water activities with two dives and multiple snorkeling sites each day, we were ready to explore Palau's culture and interior.
The island tour took us around what locals call "the big island" - Babeldaob. Quincy was fantastic, adjusting the pace to our preferences and sharing stories about Palauan history and culture. The highlight was visiting a traditional bai (men's meeting house), where he explained the intricate carvings and their meanings. It was fascinating to learn about the social structures and traditions that have shaped Palau for centuries.
We hiked to Ngardmau Falls, which required a bit of effort through the rainforest, but the payoff was worth it. Standing next to this powerful waterfall, surrounded by lush jungle, felt like discovering a secret corner of the world. Quincy packed our lunch - a bento box that was somehow perfectly suited to eating beside a tropical waterfall.
That evening, we tried the Japanese restaurant near our hotel, the one with the terrace built right into the bay. Eating sushi at sunset was a fantastic experience- we loved it.
Day 7 - Friday - Nikko Bay and Kayaking Adventures
Friday brought our most adventurous day yet - kayaking through Nikko Bay. I'll be honest, we were a bit nervous about this one. Neither of us are particularly athletic, and the idea of kayaking through a maze of rock islands sounded potentially exhausting.
Quincy immediately put us at ease. He explained that this wasn't a race or an endurance test - it was about experiencing the incredible beauty of this labyrinth of limestone formations at a relaxed pace. And what a labyrinth it was! Paddling between these massive rocks, some with trees growing impossibly from their tops, felt like exploring a lost world.
The water was so clear we could see the bottom everywhere we went. Fish swam alongside our kayaks, and we even spotted a sea turtles lazily swimming beneath us. Quincy knew exactly when to pause for photos, when to explore side channels, and when to just sit quietly and take in the incredible scenery.
We stopped on a secluded beach for lunch, and I remember thinking this might be the most beautiful place I'd ever eaten a sandwich. Sarah and I kept looking at each other with these silly grins, both thinking the same thing - how did we get so lucky to experience this?
That evening, we decided to have a quiet dinner in Koror at their famous Indian Restaurant, Taj, reflecting on what had been an incredible week of adventures.
Day 8 - Saturday - Koror Exploration and Beach Relaxation
Saturday was our final full day, and we decided to take it easy. After five days of adventures, we wanted to explore Koror town and spend some time relaxing. We walked around the small capital, checking out local shops and getting a feel for everyday life in Palau.
The highlight of the day was discovering the gorgeous little beach right at Sea Passion Hotel. We'd been so busy with activities that we hadn't properly appreciated this hidden gem right on our doorstep. The beach was intimate and peaceful, with crystal-clear water perfect for a leisurely swim. We spent the afternoon here, reading, swimming, and just soaking up our final day in paradise.
It was the perfect way to wind down after such an action-packed week - sitting on this beautiful beach, watching the lagoon, and already missing Palau before we'd even left.
Day 9 - Sunday - Early Departure and Reflections
Sunday morning came too quickly - and very early. With our Qantas flight departing at 8:30 AM and needing to be at the airport three hours beforehand, we were up well before dawn. Our final breakfast at the Sea Passion Hotel's open-air restaurant was a quiet, predawn affair, but it gave us time to reflect on an incredible week. The Fish 'n Fins shuttle arrived exactly on time at 5:00 AM (they were punctual to the minute all week), and we found ourselves 25 minutes later back at the airport, trying to process everything we'd experienced.
Looking back on the week, what struck us most was how seamlessly everything flowed. Having Fish 'n Fins handle our transfers, diving, snorkeling, and tours meant we never had to worry about logistics or timing. Their staff's knowledge and passion for Palau was obvious in every interaction, and their equipment and safety standards were clearly top-notch.
The accommodation at Sea Passion Hotel was perfect for our needs - comfortable, well-located, and with that incredible beach, pool and restaurant setting. Having other dining options nearby, especially that Japanese restaurant with the water terrace, gave us variety without having to venture far.
But beyond the logistics, Palau itself is just extraordinary. The Rock Islands are unlike anything else on Earth. The marine life is abundant and approachable. The culture is fascinating and welcoming. And the overall experience of being somewhere so remote yet so accessible, so pristine yet so well-set-up for visitors, is rare.
Sarah's already researching dive sites for our return trip, and I'm looking into Open Water certification courses in Melbourne. Because after seeing Palau from the surface, I need to see it from below. The way Sarah's eyes lit up after every dive, the way she struggled to find words for what she'd seen down there - I want that experience too.
Palau isn't just a destination you visit - it's a place that changes how you think about the ocean, about travel, and about what's possible in this world. We're already planning our return, and this time, we'll both be diving into everything Palau has to offer underwater.
Seven days wasn't nearly enough, but it was the perfect introduction to what might become our favorite place on Earth.
What James & Sarah Spent on Their Palau Adventure
A complete breakdown of their tropical paradise getaway
Shared Expenses
Individual Adventures
Dining Notes
- Bento lunches included on all tour/dive days
- Dinners averaged $20/person (except Taj)
- Taj Restaurant was pricier but absolutely worth it!
Total Adventure Investment
For 9 unforgettable days in paradise
Every dollar spent on memories that will last a lifetime