If you’ve ever flicked through a dive mag or scrolled Instagram and seen a pic of a diver reef-hooked into a current, surrounded by swirling fish and cruising sharks, chances are, you were looking at Blue Corner in Palau. Palau diving doesn’t get much more iconic than this. It’s the dive that tops bucket lists, wins awards (yep, it’s been voted “Best Dive Site in the World”), and leaves even the most seasoned divers speechless. The combo of adrenaline, beauty, and raw marine power is something you won’t find just anywhere, and Palau delivers it in spades.
What makes Blue Corner so special isn’t just the sharks (though there are plenty) or the insane visibility (often 40m+). It’s the way everything comes together, the drop-off, the current, the coral, the critters, the sheer volume of life. You’re not just diving here; you’re plugging into the heartbeat of the Pacific. Whether you’re hanging on your reef hook watching grey reef sharks glide past like commuters on the subway, or unhooking to drift over coral gardens with Napoleon wrasse and turtles, Blue Corner gives you front-row seats to nature’s greatest show. And the best bit? You can dive it again and again, and it never gets old.
When you roll off the boat at Blue Corner, you’re not just dropping into another reef, you’re entering a marine superhighway. The site sits right where the open ocean meets the reef wall, and the current funnels nutrient-rich water through, bringing with it clouds of fish and predators on the hunt. You’ll typically descend along the wall to around 20–25m, find your spot, clip in with your reef hook, and then… just watch. Schools of jacks, snappers, and barracuda swirl like living tornadoes. Grey reef sharks patrol in packs. Eagle rays glide past like underwater kites. And if you’re lucky? A hammerhead, manta, or even a sailfish might cruise through, no promises, but it happens.
Don’t worry if you’re not a pro, guides know how to position you safely, and the dive is manageable for confident intermediates (though Advanced Open Water cert is highly recommended). You’ll usually spend 15–20 minutes hooked in, soaking it all in, before unhooking and drifting along the shallower reef for a gentler finish. The top of the reef is alive with colour, soft corals, anemones, clownfish, and turtles resting on ledges. It’s the perfect cool-down after the adrenaline rush below. Just remember: always carry a reef hook, always listen to your guide, and always keep an eye on your gauges, it’s easy to lose track of time (and air) when you’re mesmerised by the action.
Let’s be real, Palau is stacked with incredible dive sites. German Channel’s mantas? Unreal. Ulong Channel’s coral gardens? Stunning. Peleliu Wall’s shark action? Wild. But Blue Corner? It’s the one that defines Palau diving. It’s the poster child, the headline act, the reason people fly halfway across the world to dive here. What sets it apart is the sheer density and diversity of life, all concentrated in one relatively small area. You’re not trekking for miles hoping to spot something, you drop in, hook on, and boom, you’re surrounded. It’s marine life on steroids, served with a side of Pacific blue.
Another thing that makes Blue Corner unique is how accessible it is. Unlike some of Palau’s remote southern sites (looking at you, Helen Reef), Blue Corner is just a 45-minute boat ride from Koror. That means you can dive it multiple times during your trip, and you’ll want to. Conditions change with the tides and seasons, so one dive might be mellow with cruising sharks, while the next is a full-on current ride with schools so thick you can’t see through them. Plus, it’s often paired with nearby Blue Holes, a cavern dive that adds mystery and light beams to your day. One site, endless experiences.
Technically, you can dive Blue Corner any time of year, Palau’s water temps hover around 28-30°C, and the site is dived daily. But if you want the full cinematic experience, aim for December to April. That’s when the seas are calmest, the visibility is clearest (often 40m+), and big pelagics like mantas and whale sharks are most active. Currents are strong year-round (that’s what brings the fish!), but they’re more predictable in the dry season, making it easier for guides to position you perfectly in the action zone.
Avoid July to September if you can, that’s when visibility can dip to 15-20m due to rain and wind. Still diveable, still impressive, but not quite the crystal-clear spectacle you see in brochures. And while Palau sits outside the main typhoon belt, June to December is typhoon season, so there’s a small chance of trip disruptions. For the smoothest, most shark-filled experience, book your Palau diving trip between November and April. Pro tip: March is rumoured to be peak shark mating season, need we say more?
First things first, you'll want to be comfortable in currents. Blue Corner isn't a drift dive for beginners. If you've never used a reef hook before, ask your operator for a quick demo. It's simple: clip in, relax, and enjoy the show. Just remember to maintain neutral or slightly positive buoyancy to avoid hitting the reef. Unclip when your guide signals, and let the current carry you gently along the reef. Also, make sure your certification level is up to scratch; Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) is strongly recommended, as you'll likely be diving to 25–30m. Nitrox? Even better. It'll give you more bottom time to soak up every second.
Gear-wise, bring your own if you can, especially mask, fins, and reef hook. Rental gear works fine, but nothing beats the comfort of your own kit. A 3 mm wetsuit is plenty, maybe a hood if you’re diving in Feb/Mar. Don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen (Palau bans the toxic stuff) and a surface marker buoy, boats are often overhead, and safety first, yeah? Oh, and sort your dive insurance before you go. Palau’s hospital has a deco chamber, but serious cases get flown to Manila, so make sure you’re covered.
While Blue Corner deserves all the hype, don’t make it your only dive. Palau’s magic is in its variety. Pair it with German Channel for manta rays and macro critters, or Ulong Channel for shallow coral gardens and spawning groupers. Fancy history? Peleliu Wall offers WWII wrecks and even stronger shark action. And you can’t leave without snorkelling Jellyfish Lake, millions of stingless jellies pulsing around you. It’s surreal, serene, and the perfect palate cleanser after all that adrenaline.
Most liveaboards build their itineraries to include Palau's top highlights, so you'll hit the must-see sites without needing to request them. The exception? Spawning trips. Those are specialty departures scheduled around specific lunar cycles and marked clearly on Dive The World's schedules. A typical week includes 22-27 dives, with 2-3 dives to Blue Corner (because once is never enough).
Look, we’re biased, but for good reason. We’ve been guiding divers through Palau’s waters for years, and we know Blue Corner like the back of our hand. We don’t just drop you off and hope for the best, we position you where the action’s hottest, brief you on currents and critters, and make sure you’re safe, comfortable, and absolutely blown away. Our groups are small (max 10 divers), our boats are comfy, and our guides? Proper legends.
Whether you're a first-timer to Palau or a returning shark enthusiast, Dive The World will help you find the perfect liveaboard to experience Blue Corner and all of Palau's legendary dive sites. As an independent dive travel specialist, we work with handpicked liveaboard operators to match you with the trip that's best for your needs and budget. We'll handle the booking details so all you've got to do is pack your fins and sense of wonder.
So, are you ready to tick off the dive that defines Palau diving? To hang on your reef hook as sharks glide past and schools of fish swirl like living galaxies? To drift over coral walls glowing with colour, knowing you're experiencing one of the planet's most legendary underwater sites? We thought so.
Get in touch with us at Dive The World; drop us a line, give us a call, or fill out our contact form. We'll help you find the perfect Palau liveaboard, tailored to your skill level, interests, and bucket-list dreams. Whether you're after a week-long adventure hitting all the highlights or a specialised trip timed for spawning season, we've got you covered. Blue Corner's waiting. Let's get you in the water.
