SPAWNING RITUALS IN PALAU
sea breams and bumphead parrotfish
March 2 - 16, 2024 a guided small group trip

Sam’s Tours & Unique Dive Expeditions are experts in diving during full & new moon cycles when different fish species gather in huge numbers to spawn. Wild excitement. This small group trip within the Dive Advice Network is led by two colleagues from Behind the Mask. Only 6 guests per trip. 

  NEW MOON EXPEDITION

So, during the full moon, it’s the snappers who put on the show ... but when it’s time for the new moon, it’s the bumphead parrotfish. And, oh, what a show it is ! Often seen patrolling the reefs in schools of up to 20 or more, these encounters are favorites for many divers, but imagine being in the water with nearly a thousand of these uniquely weird but beautiful creatures!

The New Moon Expedition takes you to a remote dive site, where the bumpheads begin forming groups early in the morning. Awaiting the exact time for spawning, hundreds of bumphead parrot fish from all around the area come together for an unforgettable event.

In the build-up, you’ll observe the behavior of the males, as they begin their display of dominance, attempting to attract as many mating partners as possible.  As the females continue to gather, the school spills out into the blue where the tension erupts into a climatic mating dance.

IS UNIQUE DIVING FOR YOU?

Sam's Tours has partnered with Unique Dive Expeditions the past couple of years to offer some of the full moon and new moon trips.

Due to the nature of the strong currents affected by the moon phase, which also brings aggregations of fish together to spawn at dawn, Unique Dive Expeditions is not for everyone.

Unique Dive Expeditions is only open to experienced divers (over 50 dives) who are thoroughly comfortable in the water.  Divers must be able to swim against strong currents and deploy their own surface marker buoy in case they separate from the group.

PALAU CENTRAL HOTEL

SAMS TOURS

The friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff at this PADI 5-Star National Geographic Center lead daily trips for divers of all skill levels to Palau's world-class dive sites and WWII wrecks.

RELAXED ATMOSPHERE, PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

Sam's Tours is located in Koror, Palau. You can stay at any hotel in Koror and Dive with Sam's.

You will have complimentary NITROX up to 36% (with proof of certification), full-day or half-day trips and customized private charters, for individuals, families and groups.

The Digital Photo Center offers digital camera rentals, download services, Apple iMACs with Aperture, and high-speed DSL internet access.

For non-diving guests, there's a selection of breath-taking tours - both on and off the water - that include rock island tours, snorkel tours, Jellyfish Lake tours, Palau's top rated kayak trips with Planet Blue Kayak Tours, big island sight-seeing tours, waterfall tours, cultural tours and "around the town" shopping shuttles.

At day's end, Bottom Time Bar & Grill - home port of the Royal Belau Yacht Club - offers relaxed casual dining and tropical sunset cocktails right on the water at Sam's Tours overlooking the beautiful rock islands. It's the best place in town for fresh sashimi and ice cold Red Rooster Beer, Palau's only micro-brewed beer!