The South Pacific’s tiny island republic of Palau might not be on many travellers’ must-visit lists for 2024, but that may soon change with the help of a luxury catamaran sailing into view.
Swapping the tropical waters of the Maldives for the lush greens and crystal blues of Palau, the Four Seasons Explorer will ferry passengers around more than 340 islands and some 500,000 square metres of marine territory to showcase one of the seven underwater wonders of the world.
Setting sail daily, guests will have the opportunity to dive into Palau’s waters that are packed with more than 1,400 species of fish, 500 types of coral and even underwater caves and shipwrecks (sadly with no treasure). You can even go for a midday retreat at the Milky Way, a shallow lake with a seabed of volcanic ash, perfect for relaxing mud baths. But we do have to warn you, Palau is the world’s first shark sanctuary so make sure to climb back aboard when instructed to do so.
But it’s not all about what’s happening under the sea. The voyage will also take you ashore to see Micronesia’s answer to Easter Island, the Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, explore jungle where you can tick off some of the rarest birds on the planet from your bird-watching list, and admire The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History buffs will enjoy a visit to Peleliu Island where you can take a cycle to see several military ruins, including an old airstrip and memorials to American and Japanese soldiers who fought on the island during WWII. Or, simply take it easy with a BBQ on the beach.
On board, the 39-metre luxury catamaran features three decks, 10 staterooms, a spa corner and a PADI five-star Dive Centre where you can learn the proper technique before going for a dip. When it comes to food, you can try a castaway style picnic from the restaurant or enjoy dinner à deux under the stars, before rounding off the evening with a drink at the top deck bar.
Sleeping up to 26 guests, the Four Seasons Explorer’s rates include three meals a day, alongside all water activities and shore excursions.
