Press Release
Received from: Explorer Ventures

Explorer Ventures Goes BIG: Up to 50% off Select Trips

Explorer Ventures

Explorer Ventures is offering 30-50%off select liveaboard dive trips in Turks & Caicos and Palau. This limited-time offer is only available for 48 hours—July 15–16, 2025—with spots expected to go fast. 

When to book: 

On Tuesday, July 15 at 8:00 AM EDT, Explorer Ventures will begin accepting bookings. Specials are first come, first served, and all trips must be paid in full by the end of the same calendar day to confirm the reservation. 

How to book: 

Corals' Survival Hinges on Proximity to One Another

Researchers have discovered an important factor that improves the reproduction of corals.

Ecology & Science

In a new study, researchers have discovered that corals need to be within a few metres apart to successfully reproduce. 

“In what came as a surprise, we saw that corals needed to be within 10 metres of one another, and preferably closer than that for fertilisation to take place,” Professor Peter Mumby, from The University of Queensland, said.

This proximity requirement is much closer than previously thought.

Press Release
Received from: Explorer Ventures

Dive Palau with Explorer Ventures, a new addition to the Fleet!

Explorer Ventures

Set sail in the oasis of Palau, now with Explorer Ventures Fleet! This May, the state-of-the-art Black Pearl Explorer joined the world-renowned liveaboard company, in partnership with Pearl Fleet.

Black Pearl Explorer offers three incredible itineraries, including Palau Classic visiting all the famous dive sites. Plus, two Spawning Special itineraries for divers to see the rare spawning aggregations of bumphead parrot fish and red snappers.

University of Delaware help find WW2 plane wrecks

Oceanographers at the University of Delaware revealed that they have located two lost World War II planes, using underwater robots, near Palau.

Wrecks & Archaeology

During bloody battles in 1944 between American and Japanese almost two dozen aircraft had fallen into waters around Palau, leaving around 70 airmen missing in action.

The Japanese wanted to use the islands for battle preparation and refuelling grounds — and so did the Allies. Numerous aircraft were lost in the waters of Palau, submerged for decades with little closure for the families of fallen airmen.

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Palau: A Diver’s Addiction

Palau—prior to a few years ago—was just a name that meant a distant dive destination on my list of places to go. I had seen the periodical article written with its crystal blue water emerald green rock islands and sea life and coral combinations like no other place diving. A dive site called Blue Corner, sounded like fantasy land, almost as if it were thought up by Walt Disney himself, if he were a diver. In the back of my mind I knew that I would get there one day. I just never thought it would make the impression it did and change my life.

Words:
Todd Essick
Images:
Todd Essick
Download the full article as pdf ⬇︎
Travel & Trips

I am not a diver first. I am an artist/photographer, but as I was fortunate enough to move to Florida in the United States as a teenager, diving has been a part of my life for 30 years. Most of my diving for well over 20 years was primarily in Florida and the Caribbean.

During that time in Florida, diving became second nature. I did it so often, sometimes while looking for lobster, I honestly forgot I was diving. I had grown a little complacent, which as we know as divers, is not a good idea; but Palau changed that, and it brings me to this question.

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Palau Pleasures: A Photographer's Playground

Appearing like nebulous emeralds adrift over an expanse of a deep blue ocean, Palau is richly endowed with some of the world’s most stunning and unique terrain above and below the sea. Geologically, the islands are pinnacles of an undersea ridge of volcanic mountains, part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire” known for its violent subterranean activity. Its vast lagoon is sheltered by a 105-km-long barrier reef, which extends down the west from Kossol to Peleliu sheltering over 200 mushroom shaped islets—these Rock Islands are significant of Palau’s natural wonder.

Words:
Michael Aw
Images:
Michael Aw
Download the full article as pdf ⬇︎
Travel & Trips

These Rock Islands are significant of Palau’s natural wonder. The bases of these rounded limestone isles have been undercut by eons of water and biological process, creating an optical illusion of them being afloat on the turquoise lagoon. Among the labyrinth of twisting channels, white sand beaches, underwater caves and secluded marine lakes are nurseries for juvenile animals.

 

Subscribe to Palau