Vessels
Palau Siren
Palau Siren (Worldwide Dive and Sail)
The 40-metre SY Palau Siren is a handcrafted Indonesian phinisi constructed in ironwood and teak and sailing under seven sails. She is purpose-built and designed by Worldwide Dive and Sail especially for divers, with superb facilities for the underwater photographers as well as for the watersport enthusiast or the adventurous sailor. The boat takes up to 16 guests. There are eight large, en-suite, air-conditioned cabins each with its own computer and audio-visual entertainment system complete with 20-inch flat screen, high definition monitor integrated into the yacht’s network server in the saloon. Each cabin has a lavish array of luxury facilities, including hairdryers, towels and individually-controlled lighting and air-conditioning. The boat has three decks; the lower deck has all the cabins, the main deck has the dining area and the dive area, and the upper deck has the lovely sun lounge area.
Delicious international and Asian cuisine is offered, with individual requirements happily catered for. Imagine enjoying a superb meal while looking out across the incredible rock islands from the covered outdoor dining area near the stern of the boat on the main deck.
The spacious and modern air-conditioned saloon has a cocktail bar, 42-inch flat-screen TV and a computer supporting the inter-cabin network. There is plenty of space to relax on the comfortable sofas while enjoying a post-diving drink.
The boat offers satellite phone facilities. Other facilities on board include a small boutique shop selling books, tee-shirts, hats and souvenirs. For those in the mood for some serious self-indulgence, why not try the massage service.
The dive area is on the main deck with space for twenty divers and further space for the dive crew. With a maximum of 16 divers on most trips, it means that the area is very spacious and allows for each diver to suit up in comfort. Each diver has his or her own place to store equipment. Divers set up their dive kit once only, at the start of the cruise. For the rest of the trip the crew will prepare your dive kit for you for every dive. Cylinders are filled in situ with air or with Nitrox (which is provided at no additional cost). The dive platform provides easy access to the two dive tenders, one of which is 5.8 metres and the other is 5.2 metres in length. Divers usually enter the water from one of the tender boats and dives are usually ‘go with the flow’ drifts with an easy climb up one of the ladders on return. The tenders are staffed by very experienced crew and they will be there to greet you at the end of the dive. The crew comprises the most experienced, multi-lingual instructors who are available to teach PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Nitrox courses. They are fully trained to look after your dive and photography gear, either as much or as little as you wish. Thorough dive briefings are given before every dive, and you may elect to dive with the dive crew or with your buddy. There is a fresh water shower on the dive platform and another two showers on the same deck for post-dive rinses. Photographers and videographers have their own large rinse tank with fresh water, which is changed on a regular basis. There is a further rinse tank for computer, mask and dive light rinsing.
Palau Siren offers a series of 7 and 10 nights cruises from year round, departing from Koror. Each year a number of combined Philippines and Palau itineraries are offered, taking advantage of the easy link between Manila and Koror. Please ask us for details.
Price: about $3264 for 7 nights and about $4474 for 10 nights.
Includes: airport transfers; 7 or 10 nights cruise on Palau Siren on a twin/share basis with full board, plus coffee, tea, fruit juice, soft drinks, fresh fruit and beer; 5 full days of diving (up to 4 dives a day) plus one or two dives on the last day; air or Nitrox fills; dive gear including wetsuit, regulator, BCD and fins; escorted shore excursions where appropriate. Reduction for non-divers. A marine Park and Port fee of €135 (subject to change) is payable locally.