Ulong Channel & Coral Garden

Ulong Channel is a very long cut that ends on a shallow reef. Because it is one of only a few channels on the western side of Palau, large quantities of water moves into and out of the channel during tide changes.

Big schools of sharks, Black Snappers, Jacks and Rays cruise the mouth of the channel. Occasionally, the very strong currents take you on a ride (it is very safe and a lot of fun) that will be as close as you get to flying. The coral gardens are located one mile south of the channel.
During the Ice Age, the sea level was 100-160' (35-55 meters) lower than today. The ocean curved its way around the Palauan islands and left many caves, caverns and tunnels. The most beautiful is Sieas Tunnel.

Sieas Tunnel is a huge horizontal tunnel under the reef, the upper ceiling of the entrance is at 100' (35 meters), and the sandy bottom is at 240’ (80 meters). Three windows are decorated with many sea fans and soft corals facing the open sea allowing a lot of ambient light to penetrate the tunnel.

The tunnel slopes up to 80' (27m). Many sharks swim through this tunnel and big schools of Jacks patrol the entrance. On the way out, divers follow a colorful vertical mile. One mile to the north is Sieas Corner, home to many sharks, barracuda and Marble Rays.