In June of 2005 I lead of group of 14 divers to Palau  and  Yap which are located  in the Caroline group islands of the Western Pacific.  Our adventure began in Yap, Micronesia, is most famous for its abundant mantas and unique culture.  The mantas are seen “up close and personal” and, if your camera is functioning, you can snap a few good shots of them.  The visibility often times is over 100 feet. Yap’s culture is one of the most fascinating because of its unique traditions. Today it still uses ancient stone money, which can be as large as 10 feet tall.  The natives’ traditional dress includes a brightly colored parau, or loincloth, for men. The women are decked in grass or woven skirts only. Both men and women wear beautiful tropical flower headdresses and leis. The ceremonial dances are right out of the pages of a National Geographic!

Palau ranks numero uno in my list of best dive areas of the world.  It is home to over 1300 species of fish and 700 species of coral. Because Palau is a junction of three major ocean currents, there is a abundance of large pelagics, such as turtles, dolphins and sharks.  Phenomenal coral formations, unspoiled reefs, gigantic blue holes, spectacular caverns and World War II wrecks  of its Rock Islands offer views of the underwater world that linger in your daydreams forever! It is also the home of several land-locked marine bodies of water called Jellyfish Lakes.  There you can snorkel in a saltwater lake filled with millions of jellyfish that have lost their ability to sting. It is quite a sensation!