It takes two days to get there, but only one day back!
You will be arriving in Palau very late at night on Sat. You will get a lovely, friendly welcome by Dermot Keane and staff (from Sam’s Tours) and then you will be transferred to Palau Royal Resort. We will then get you checked in, and all of your luggage will be taken to your room. You will enjoy some well-needed rest and enjoy the incredible breakfast buffet each morning at Palau Royal Resort. The dive boat will pick you up at the Palau Royal Resort dock after breakfast.
We suggest that you travel with very comfy clothes. The kids can even wear their pajamas or sweatpants and slippers on flights, and most of the kids did this last year. Bring a travel pillow and some games, books, etc. Also, please remember each family member gets one carry-on, and a purse or backpack so be sure to take advantage of this.
If you need any medications, pack those as well in your carry-on. We know the trip to Palau is a long journey, but remember that your carry-on should contain everything you need in the instance that your luggage gets lost or delayed. Take in your carry-on any items that you cannot live without for two days. The hotel has a spa and plenty of products there so don’t weigh yourself down with things you will have available to you at the resort.
Other suggestions for your carry-on: 2 bathing suits, rash guard, hairbrush, clean T-shirts, ziplock pair of shorts, swim trunks, under clothes, flip-flops, your dive computer, you certifications cards, toothbrush, rain jacket, hairbrush, etc. If you have a particular size wetsuit and won’t enjoy a rental suit, or have a specific regulator that only works with your computer, etc. then pack those in your carry-on to make sure you have everything you need to have with you. Remember liquids must be 3.4 oz or less and must be contained a clear ziplock baggie.
Getting to Palau: There are several options to fly to Palau, and you can fly out of either LAX or Honolulu with United Airlines. You will need to depart from either LAX or HNL on Friday, and you will arrive in Palau (ROR) on Sat or Sunday depending on your flight choices. If you fly out of LAX, you will have a layover in Honolulu and also in Guam. Flights no longer stop in Yap.
PASSPORTS & DOCUMENTATION
All travelers must have a current passport, adequate funds to support themselves, and a return airline ticket to travel out of the USA. Travelers must have a passport that is valid for 6 months from the date of entry to any foreign country.
It is the travelers’ responsibility to ensure they have the proper documentation to travel into each country on his or her itinerary as well as for re-entry and return to their country. Please check with the appropriate consulate as well as your chosen airline carrier to ensure you have the proper documentation. Always check your passport and visa requirements. US citizens may go to the US Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov for more information. The website also has information for consulates by country to assist with requirements.
There are special requirements for children leaving the US and many countries have adopted special requirements for the protection of children. If you are traveling with a child that is not your own, a single parent with a child, a child with a different last name, or traveling without both natural parents of the child, you will require documentation proving your right to travel with children. Since regulations vary by country, contact your consulate or embassy of your country and visit the immigration site of the country you are traveling to for the requirements. Kids Sea Camp Reservation Office and staff will not assume responsibility for passengers not having the correct documentation.
Banking & Currency: U.S. dollar is the official currency of Palau. Traveler’s checks and all major credit cards are accepted at most businesses, including Sam’s Tours. There are several banks (Bank of Hawaii, Bank of Guam, and Bank Pacific) and plenty of automated teller machines around town.
Health & Medical Services: Palau National Hospital is a well-equipped and professionally staffed facility with an experienced Barotrauma Team. Besides, there are excellent private clinics, out-patient surgeries, and pharmacies on the island. Local supermarkets carry the most common over-the-counter medications.
Dress Code: The dress code in Palau makes it great for Kids, casual is in! Palau is a tropical island, so when it comes to attire it's: T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops (rubber slippers) are appropriate with very few exceptions (thankfully, ties haven’t become a hit here)! For those who want to dress up, a polo shirt, aloha shirt or blouse will usually suffice. Parents can leave the slacks and dresses at home! Short shorts and swimsuits are okay at the beach, pool and around the dive shop but not appropriate around town. Please keep in mind that many restaurants and the resort are heavily air-conditioned so if you get cold easily you might want to bring something to keep you warm!
BELAU MEDICAL CLINIC: bmc@palaunet.com
Tel. No: + 680-488-2688 / Fax No: + 680-488-1087
FAMILY SURGICAL CLINIC:
Tel. No: + 680-488-6920 / Fax No: + 680-488-6922
Postal Service: Palau is served by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), so you will be able to send as many postcards back as you would like. Mail only 6-9 days to get mail back to the U.S. mainland via first-class or priority mail.
Telecommunications: Kids Sea Camp guests will be able to call home whenever necessary. International direct dialing is readily available using Calling Cards from Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC). Cards are available at Sam’s Tours and many other business establishments. Internet access is non-essential at Sam’s Tours and Palau Royal Resort.
Mobile phone service (GSM 900) is available on the island. However, international roaming is not possible, and phones will not operate without a SIM card purchased (or rented) locally.
Time Zone: Palau is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) + 9 hours or the same as Japan. At present we are 13 hours ahead of New York and 16 hours ahead of LA. An hour is added to daylight savings time.
Tipping: Tipping is not required but is a common practice for all service personnel, dive guides, and boat captains.
Transportation: There is no public transportation system in Palau. Sam’s Tours will provide Kids Sea Camp guests with complimentary roundtrip hotel and downtown shuttle service for things outside KSC activities. Taxi service is also readily available up until 10:00 pm and fares are very reasonable. Arrangements are easily made in advance for taxi service after 10:00 pm. For all Kids Sea Camp activities transportation is provided as needed.
Quarantine Restrictions: As Palau’s unique island eco-system is very susceptible to invasive specifies there are tight restrictions on fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, meats and other possible sources of contamination. Do not bring these items to Palau as they are subject to immediate confiscation.
Drugs: Anti-drug laws are enforced. Prescriptions should be carried for any particular medicines or drugs in your possession.
PPEF: Palau Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee is new as of 2018. This is a $100 fee per person that is included in your airline ticket.
Departure Tax: Palau has a departure tax of $50.00 USD which is included in all Kids Sea Camp package pricing, and a representative from Sam’s Tours will be on hand during departure to organize this.
Travel notes: It is essential that you remember to bring your certification cards, Passports and your copy of your forms & waivers. I also highly recommend that you have both Dive and Trip insurance. We support DAN as our provider of choice.
Palau point person:
Marc Bauman or Dermot Keane, Sam’s Tours Palau, P.O. Box 7076
Koror, Palau 96940 Office: 680.488.1062 Email: marc@samstours.com (Marc Bauman)
If there are any special considerations for meals, boat assignments or anything else that you would like us to request for you, please let us know. Our Sasy and Seal Team treasure hunt is sponsored by PADI and ScubaPro.
Where is Palau?
The Republic of Palau is 900 miles southwest of Guam and 400 miles south of Yap at the western-most edge of Micronesia. Palau is north of New Guinea and east of the Philippines. We fly from LAX or HNL to Guam and then a quick stop in YAP and onto Palau. It's a long way to go, but well worth it when you get there. My suggestion would be to extend your stay by a few days if you can.
Are there any taxes or fees not included in the price? Yes. The airport departure tax is $35 US and is paid upon departure. These fees are levied by the Palau Government and are subject to change without notice. They are not included in the charter rate.
Do I need a passport? U.S. citizens are required to have a passport for international travel. For details on travel requirements for U.S. citizens, please visit the U.S. State Department’s website. Non-U.S. citizens should check with the appropriate consulate.
If I book diving with Sam’s Tours through Family Dive Adventures and Kids Sea Camp will I pay more? No. There is no surcharge for booking our services through our professional travel partner. Booking through Kids Sea Camp can save you money on air/hotel/diving packages and help you plan a good itinerary.
Is there a store in town? Yes. There are two large and very well stocked supermarkets and department stores in the center of town. There are also lots of convenience stores all around town. The stores stay open until 9:00 pm.
What type of electrical power do you have? Palau uses 110 Volt electricity with the same type of outlets as the U.S. At the dive center, we also have 220 Volt service.
