Палау

[petko 610]

Да поддържа темата активна, ето какво ми отговориха от paddling palau във връзка с каяците:

 

Thank you for your e-mail and interest in our services! We will be very happy to accommodate you during your visit to our tiny island nation. Our company is a complete kayak outfitter and we do have open topped & closed shell kayaks available for rent.  We additionally rent out customized camping gear, designed to fit into the hatches & hulls of our rental boats.  Our rental services also include waterproof topographical maps, carefully marked with campsites, snorkel locations, ancient villages, and points of interest.  Before launching our guests on an overnight rental, we additionally include professional assistance in itinerary choreography as well as advice on winds and tides. For guests interested in this independent experience we do require previous paddling, camping, and orienteering experience.

 

Here's a look at our rental rates:

Open Topped Single @ $45.00/day

Closed Shell Single @ $65.00/day

Closed Shell Double @ $80.00/day

Double Camp Kit @ $45.00/night

 

Here’s a sample 7 day itinerary:

DAY 1:  NIKKO BAY:  Launching from the quiet shores of Ngermid, we’ll paddle into the calm secluded waters of Nikko Bay.  The giant cathedral-like walls surrounding Nikko Bay create not only calm water paddle conditions, but additionally a perfect habitat for Old Growth Corals.  Without winds, waves, surf, or surge to disturb these mega-diverse coral gardens, the coral colonies have grown into absurdly large and fragile multi-color baskets.  The corals continue growing until they collide with their nearest neighbor which results in tentacle waving warfare between the stony combatants.  These ancient coral forests also provide ideal nursery grounds for juvenile fishes including baby harlequin sweet-lips and tiny eight-banded butterflyfish.  Our favorite sites include Lettuce Coral Wall, Rembrandt’s Cove, Disney Lake, and Calvin’s Corner.

   Nikko Bay is also famous for its geological formations including natural archways, limestone caverns, and current swept siphon tunnels.  Bristling with crystal stalactites, there’s no better way to access these natural wonders than with the unobtrusive kayak.

   Some of the best-kept secrets from WWII also lie hidden in the jungles and reefs of Nikko Bay, including forgotten bunkers filled with helmets, bottles & bullets, sunken Japanese supply ships, and downed American aircraft.

 

DAY 2:  RISONG BAY:  This natural semi-enclosed bay hides six distinctive bays and two completely enclosed marine lakes.  Accessible only by kayak each of these locations creates a unique habitat for delicate corals, rare & endangered fishes, as well as nurseries for baby sharks & rays.  Black-Tip Lake for example is accessible via a tunnel entrance and protects a precious nursery for newborn Black-Tip Reef Sharks.  The shallow waters with overhanging mangroves provide the young predators the protection they need to get a head start on life. 

   Mandarin Fish Lake is a turquoise oasis hiding in a remote corner of the bay and is accessible via a narrow winding channel lined with thriving colonies of pink sea fans.  This protected paradise is connected to an enclosed lake with a series of fissure-like tunnels.  On extreme outgoing tides, water from the enclosed lake spills into the bay as a cascading salt-water waterfall.  The additional nutrient flow feeds countless species of jewel like fish including the namesake, the precious Mandarin Fish. 

 

   Risong Bay also includes the species rich Blue Devil Garden, the colorful bird life of Kingfisher Bay, and the pristine snorkeling inside Sunken City Lake.

 

DAY 3:  GERMAN LIGHT HOUSE:  The paddle distance from your campsite to Ngeruktabel Island is approximately one & a half hours.  Along the way, you’ll be treated to the sight of stunning corals, deep-water channels, sea grass beds, and the possibility of a close encounter with Palau’s only inner lagoon Marine Mammal, the Dugong.  The first stop on Ngeruktabel Island is Fantasy Lake.  Surrounded by 500’ vertical walls this protected natural amphitheater is home to soaring white tailed tropicbirds, screaming Sulfur Crested Cockatoos, and courting Fairy Terns gliding in graceful duets.  The Channel leading into Fantasy Lake provides a refreshing snorkel stop and is home to Baby Yellow Box Fish, Giant Pin Cushion Starfish, and the elusive Sea Horse.

   After a short paddle to a century old dock, we’ll embark on a hike up an abandoned canopy covered road.  This gentle trail yields spectacular views of Palau’s jungle flora & fauna.  Endemic birds such as Palauan Fantails, Palauan Bush Warblers, and Palauan Flycatchers are common sites under the canopy-covered walk.  The Road itself is an engineering marvel, created by the Japanese at the height of WWII.  Their defensive cannons, headquarters, subterranean bunkers, and even the commanding officer’s swimming pool can still be seen along the trail.  From the top of the lighthouse, we’ll enjoy a commanding view of the stunning rock island scenery below.

   The grand finale of the German Lighthouse Tour is a swim at Lolita’s Coral Gardens.  This current swept sun-loving coral garden is home to a multitude of Damselfish, Angelfish, and Butterfly Fish in addition to the stunning formations of table corals, branching corals, sea fans, and crinoids.  Giant Manta Rays with 12’ wingspans use this channel as a cleaning station, where tiny wrasses congregate to remove parasites from the world’s largest rays.

 

DAY 4:  LONG LAKE:  After spending the night on a spectacular stretch of sand with swaying palm trees, we’ll paddle off to the unforgettable Milky Way.  This natural “milk bowl” has completely opaque waters and zero feet of visibility.  The serene setting is surrounded by vertical walls and the haunting call of Palau’s own Bush Warbler.

   As the day warms up, we’ll paddle over to our first snorkel stop of the day at Einstein’s Coral Gardens.  Bathed in the flowing waters from the “tunnels of doom” these green, red, gold, and lavender boulders lie in only a few feet of water and are a one of a kind attraction in Palau.

   Long Lake is perhaps Palau’s premier paddling attraction.  As the tide rises, we slip through a clear water channel surrounded by an overhanging mangrove forests.  The trees themselves are covered in epiphytic ferns, lichens, and orchids and the habitat is home to a multitude of nesting birds.  The 200-yard channel spills into a mile long marine lake, which serves as a nursery to Baby Spotted Eagle Rays, Whiptail Rays, and Feather-Tail Stingrays.  The trusting juvenile rays will swim innocently below the unobtrusive kayaks.

   Long Lake is also home to the finest collection of ancient Cycads in Palau. Contemporaries of the dinosaurs, these ancient Gymnosperms reproduce with cones rather than flowers.   The grand finale of Long Lake is a swim with a collection of mega-enormous Giant Clams.  With weights of over 700lbs, these century old Bivalves live by basking in the sunlit waters of the protected lake.

 

DAY 5:  JELLYFISH LAKE:  One of the best-kept secrets of Palau’s marine eco-system is the inner lagoon patch reefs.  Ignored by SCUBA divers because of the shallow depths, the patch reefs are teaming with swirling masses of damsels, wrasses, sardines, and the predators that feast on them like Blue Fin Trevallys.  Honeymoon Reef & Rainbow Reef provide unforgettable coral growth and drama on the island hopping paddle towards Jellyfish Lake.

   Jellyfish Lake is one of over 70 completely enclosed salt-water lakes trapped within the limestone rock islands.  For the last 10,000 years, harmless Mastigias Jellyfish have been trapped inside this enclosed amphitheater.  Having lost their stinging cells (cnidoblasts) through a process of regressive evolution, the Mastigias now make their living from the sun.  Harboring single celled algae (zooxanthellae) within their tissues the jellyfish simply sunbath all day and reap the benefits of a sugar high produced by their convenient symbionts.  Swimming carefully with mask & snorkel only, we surround ourselves with millions of harmless Jellyfish, allowing them to bounce off our bodies in peaceful harmony.

   Our campsite for the night will be Giant Clam Beach.  Seeded with giant clam youngsters over 30 years ago, this coral garden is now packed with hundreds of the shallow water leviathans.  Giant clam beach makes for great night snorkeling with frequent sightings of lobster, lionfish, and moon snails.

 

DAY 6:  PALAU’S OUTER REEF:  Our morning journey begins with a 45-minute paddle to wonder channel.  This current swept channel is home to baby butterfly fish and delicate pipefish.  We’ll next search for baby turtles within the protected waters and Cycad Lake.  After lunch at 2 Dog Beach, we’ll paddle on to Palau’s grandest attraction:  The Vertical Drop-Offs of Palau’s outer reef.  A shallow water reef teaming with fish and coral disappears into a 3000’ vertical abyss.  The soft coral covered walls boast the highest per site species diversity on planet earth.  Turtles, Sharks, & Rays dance along these walls adding drama to an already unforgettable scene. 

   After a full day of “Drama Snorkeling”, we’ll paddle through the open sand flats to Palau’s most spectacular beach on Ngemelis Island.  Long stretches of powder white sand give way to the shallow blues of Palau’s protected lagoon.

 

DAY 7:  OUTER REEF TO KOROR:  Our grand finale day will include more of the outer reef’s greatest hits.  Paddling to blue corner, we’ll add swirling schools of Barracuda, Black Snapper, and Big Eye Trevally to this once in a lifetime “Fish Soup.”  The Blue Holes are another spectacular site as the dark caverns disappear below the sunlit reef top.  The Ngemelis biosphere is a protected sanctuary, which not only increases fish populations but also insures that the creatures fear no man.  Thus, Napoleon Wrasse will swim within a few feet of awe struck snorkelers.  Colorful Sweet-lips will stare back as we drift by on gentle currents.  Both Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles can be photographed as they come to the surface to fill their lungs with fresh air.

 

I have attached a map for your reference.

 

For this itinerary you will need at least 2 boat shuttles. The 1st on the third day to get around Skoki Reef and its deadly surf and the 2nd on the last day to return to Koror. These shuttles are $250.00 and $600.00 respectively. For an additional $200.00 we can take you out on a private snorkeling trip on the last day. Included in this private tour is drinks, snacks, lunch, guide, and speedboat support. Additionally, we won’t charge you for the kayaks on this day.

 

In regards to the situation with Koror State requiring a guide to be present, we're presently working with the Rangers to resolve the issue of unguided rentals.  For the moment, its business as usual.

 

Please bear in mind that upon arrival to Palau, you will be required to purchase Koror State Government issued permits. These permits are $100.00/person and are payable in cash. They are valid for ten consecutive days, and will not only allow you to visit and camp in the Rock Islands, but also to perform any and all water-based activities. I hope you find all of this information helpful in your planning. I am at your service so if you have anything further, please contact me again.

 

и на другото писмо, като го питах за по-евтини варианти с водното такси:

 

We certainly have other budget friendly itineraries, where we can cut out either one or both of the shuttles. These types of itineraries, however, must be prepared 48 hours before your trip at the soonest. Where you will go will be largely dependent on wind and tidal conditions at the time. What I would suggest is to reserve the kayaks now and join an expedition guide in a pre-arranged briefing where you can go over all of your options the day before you launch. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions/concerns.