Embark

They say the best things in life don’t come easily, and Palau is no exception, but that’s largely why the Micronesian archipelago is one of the world’s last remaining frontiers. Fly to Palau’s main city, Koror (pop. 10,000), via Taipei, Honolulu, Guam, Manila or Brisbane. From Palau’s Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, Four Seasons Explorer is usually accessible within 60 minutes via speedboat. Please note that international night-time arrivals may require an overnight stay in Koror.

Cambodia Angkor Air from Hong Kong and Macau; United Airlines from Honolulu, Guam and Manila; China Airlines from Taipei; Palau Paradise Express and Nauru Airlines from Brisbane; and seasonal flights from Japan and Korea.

Flight availability may change. Please contact Reservations for assistance and further information.

Four Seasons Explorer offers daily embarkation and disembarkation, and its regular cruising area is 60 to 90 minutes by speedboat from Koror. Transfers from Koror to Explorer are operated by speedboat.

• Embarkation: Daily at 1:00 pm from Koror Marina; speedboat transfer to Four Seasons Explorer
• Disembarkation: Daily at 11:00 am from Four Seasons Explorer; speedboat transfer to Koror Marina

Four Seasons representatives meet all guests upon arrival at Palau International Airport and assist with transfers to Explorer or accommodation in Koror.

Koror Marina is a 20-minute car journey from Palau International Airport. From the marina, guests are transferred to Four Seasons Explorer via speedboat, with a journey length typically between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the boat’s location on that day. Your speedboat transfer to Four Seasons Explorer will be arranged according to the timing of your international flight arrival. Guests staying in Koror prior to embarking will need to travel to Koror Marina to catch the speedboat. Options include taxis or a Four Seasons private car, bookable through our reservations team. Four Seasons transfers from Koror Marina to Palau International Airport or a hotel in town are also available post-cruise. Transfer charges apply.

Koror is Palau’s main town and commercial hub. Home to the majority of the country’s population and key amenities, the town is the starting point for exploration of the beautiful surrounding waters and islands.

Depending on international flight times, guests of Four Seasons Explorer may wish to overnight in Koror prior to embarkation or following disembarkation. Should a Koror stay be required, our Reservations team can assist with accommodation and transfer recommendations.

Bringing you the very best of Palau, the cruising area of Four Seasons Explorer adapts to varying seasons and weather conditions, while our daily activities are curated for divers and explorers. The boat typically calls at Koror once a week, covering a cruising area 60 to 90 minutes of the town, allowing for daily embarkations and disembarkations with the greatest convenience.

See the cruising area here.

See a typical day on Four Seasons Explorer here.

A valid passport with an expiry date that is no less than six months after the date of entry into Palau (with a minimum of one empty page) and a return air ticket are required for admission to Palau. Thirty-day extendable tourist visas are issued on arrival. Visitors will be asked to sign the Palau Pledge to protect the environment for Palau’s children. Please enquire about the latest travel restrictions.

All guests on board Four Seasons Explorer are required to fill out an online Cruise Registration Form and acknowledge the General Conditions and Liability Release Agreement prior to embarkation. Our Reservations Team will be pleased to assist.

Divers who have not dived within the last three months or have logged less than 30 dives are required to participate in an orientation dive prior to engaging in diving activities. A certification card and logbook are required to be presented during the dive registration process.

Please refrain from participating in diving activities 12 hours after international flights and 24 hours before air travel.

Learn more here.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Firearms and ammunitions
• Prohibited drugs
• Endangered species on the CITES list

Learn more here.

Palau has one hospital, the Belau National Hospital (BNH), for outpatient and emergency cases. For diving emergencies, there is an operational hyperbaric chamber at the BNH.

Population of Palau: Approx. 20,000

Time Zone: GMT +9

Climate: Annual mean temperature of 27°C (82°F). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, more frequently between July and October. The water temperature ranges from 28 to 30°C (82 to 86°F).

Official Currency: US dollar

Four Seasons Explorer accommodates guests eight years of age and older.