Ulong Channel

Big Fishes Drift

This site is situated on the west coast of Palau, close to Siaes Tunnel and is regarded by many as being one of the best drift dives in the world. The best time to make the dive is on the incoming tide. The entrance is covered with coral gardens and the channel itself stretches some 500m - at an average width of 33m - to the lagoon. There is a sandy bottom at the entrance where shark congregate to feed on the fish that are swept inside. The numbers of them here quite often rival those at Blue Corner.

The bottom varies in depth from between 10-15m and is clear of coral, but the sides are festooned with soft coral and seafans. Of particular interest is a vast array of plate coral that houses squirrelfish, glasseyes and soldierfish. The whole journey should take about 20 minutes, depending on the current and as you emerge into the lagoon, you'll notice large numbers of grey reef sharks who are waiting to feed on all the fish that have made it through the channel unscathed.

All-in-all, this is a breathtaking drift dive with close encounters, on two occasions, with feeding sharks, their prey and wonderful coral formations.

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