Big Drop-off (Ngemelis Wall)

Ngemelis Wall

Rated “the best wall dive in the world” by Jacques Cousteau. The wall drops from a reef flat less than 1 m deep to a 300 m abyss, and snorkelers can float at the edge and see the entire soft-coral wall.

The Big Drop-off lies south of Ngemelis Island. It is a vertical underwater cliff that plunges from a coral reef flat less than 1 m deep to 300 m below, about 1 km long. French ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau once called it “the best wall dive in the world.” The wall is covered with vividly colored soft corals, giant sea fans, barrel sponges, and hard corals. Schools of butterflyfish, damselfish, and surgeonfish gather on the reef flat, while grey reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, and tuna patrol the depths, and Napoleon wrasse can occasionally be spotted. Something of interest appears at every depth from 5 m to 30 m, and currents are generally mild, making it a classic site suitable for divers of every level in Palau. For snorkelers, this is Palau's most breathtaking spot. Jump from the boat onto the 1 m reef flat, swim to the edge, and look down. The contrast between the deep blue abyss and the colorful wall is dizzying, and when visibility is good you can even see divers' bubbles rising along the wall. New Drop-off, German Channel, and Blue Corner are all within a 15-minute boat ride. Dive operators often combine Blue Corner with Big Drop-off, or German Channel with Big Drop-off, as two-dive trips. Snorkel tours add this site to Long Beach and Milky Way Lagoon. The fee is included in boat and dive tours, and a Koror State permit is required. Getting there: about 50 minutes from Koror by speedboat. Lunch on boat tours is often served at the nearby Ngemelis Island beach. Note: the reef flat is very shallow, so do not stand or step on the coral while snorkeling. Downward currents sometimes occur at the cliff edge, so control your buoyancy while diving. Wear a life vest or stinger suit when snorkeling, and keep a safe distance from boats.

Big Drop-off (Ngemelis Wall)

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