Overview

Welcome to Ocean Hunter III, the latest and most luxurious addition to the Ocean Hunter Fleet in Palau. The boat represents 25 years of knowledge in the liveaboard industry and like all of their liveaboards was designed by divers, for divers. Ocean Hunter III will be diving the reefs of Palau, plus special trips to places such as Yap. As usual with their fleet, you also enjoy the knowledge and hospitality of their very experienced local crew.

Description

Ocean Hunter III has 3 standard cabins, 3 deluxe cabins and 2 master staterooms all with private bathroom and a/c, and accommodates up to 16 guests with personal attention and plenty of space. There is a large dining room and a comfortable salon with sofas and an entertainment system. The salon also contains a high quality espresso machine. Alternatively you can relax in the jacuzzis on the spacious sun deck. Furthermore, Ocean Hunter III is designed for professional underwater photography, TV and Film production, with a sizeable working area, 110, 220 and 415 volt electrical outlets and extra storage space. Ocean Hunter III offers powerful PC's for movie and video editing with download, email and cd burning services.

Deluxe cabins
These cabins are equipped with air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom and a bunk bed with one double and one single bed. Deluxe cabins are ideal for the individual diver on a willing to share basis or a couple of friends who want to share a cabin. Cabin numbers 3,4,6 & 9.

Standard Inclusions

• Deluxe twin share cabin air-conditioned accommodation on board Ocean Hunter III
• If you book a single space you will be roomed with another diver.
• Diving according to trip's itinerary
• 3 gourmet meals a day
• Hot and cold drinks
• Snacks (sunrise, morning, afternoon and late night)
• Transportation to and from boat
• Weights, weight belt and Scuba tanks
• Not included
• Diving Permits & Government Fees:
• Koror State Diving Permit including Jellyfish Lake $35 for 10 days
• Koror State Diving Permit excluding Jellyfish Lake $25 for 10 days
• Peleliu Diving Permit $20 for 14 days
• Koror Airport Departure Tax $20
• Nitrox
• Per Tank $10.50
• Unlimited Use (7 day trip) $199
• Unlimited Use (10 day trip) $285
• Onboard Drinks
• (Filtered Water, Tea and Coffee are all free of charge).

Trip Info

Boat Specifications, daily itineraries and other info

Length: 96 feet (29m)
Beam: 26.25 feet (8m)
Draft: 9ft (2.75m)
Speed: 11 knots
Displacement: 226 tons
Construction: Steel
Engines: Twin 375 hp each
Guest Accommodations: For 16 guests. 2 Standard cabins (Cabins 2 & 5: one queen size bed, one single), 4 Deluxe cabins (Cabins 3, 4, 6 & 9: one king size bed, one single) and 2 upper deck Master Staterooms (one king size bed, one single), all with private head, shower and a/c.
Crew Accommodations: 2 double cabins, private heads.
Leisure areas: Dining room seats 18. Cozy salon with couches, entertainment systems, Espresso machine, Icemaker, Mini-bar. Computer room with email and photo / video editing services. Washing machine / dryer facility.
Fun in the Sun:2 Jacuzzis on top deck.
Generators: 2 by 60 KW
Available Voltage: 110/240/415 VAC 12/24 VDC
Water Tanks: 4000 gals (16000 liters)
Twin 1200 gals/day water makers
Fuel Tanks: 6000 gals (24000 liters)
Electronics: GPS x 3, Satellite Phone, Cellular Phone, 72 mile radar, Depth sounder x 2, Fish finder, VHF, HF Radio, CD, DVD, VCD. TV and VCR with support for European PAL, SECAM and American NTSC.
Chase boat: 35 ft Rigid Hull with 2 x 225 HP Yamaha 4 stroke.
Dive compressors: 2 X Bauer Compressors. NITROX and TRIMIX onboard. Rebreather support available.
Safety: Full safety equipment for USCG requirements, Emergency O2 Kit.


Technical diving support:
Nitrox, TRIMIX and Rebreather support
Nitrox certification available onboard
Twin Bauer compressors, Nitrox membrane
Production support:


Twin generators for high voltage equipment demand.
1.6 tons hydraulic crane offers lifting capacity for most ROV's, underwater cameras and Mini-subs.
Enclosed and Air conditioned lab for scientific research and film productions.

The Crew
The Ocean Hunter liveaboard fleet is one big family. Unlike the larger liveaboards who change crews and captains every season, their family-run business gives you the same famous service presented by the same friendly faces since 1993. They have added new discoveries year after year and are here waiting to share it with you! They are also fortunate to count among our family several local, experienced Palauan guides who have grown up on the reefs and act as ambassadors of good will between the visitors and Palauan culture and environment. Many of the crew members aboard Ocean Hunter III have families and children and we chose them because they are very responsible and have a broad view of life.

Underwater Scooter
1200 Watt HMI lights to back-light corals, UV Filters, caves and wrecks.
Ocean Hunter III offers the very latest of high quality liveaboard experiences.
Our chefs serve fresh, low-fat gourmet cuisine.

A sample schedule of a day onboard the Ocean Hunter III:

06:30 - Gourmet coffee / tea and sweet rolls. Coffee is available throughout the day from our espresso machine.
07:00 - First morning dive
08:30 - Full Breakfast
10:00 - Second morning dive
11:30 - Snacks
11:45 - Third dive
13:00 - Lunch,
14:30 - Fourth dive
16:00 - Fruit smoothies and cake
17:00 - Dusk dive
19:00 - Night dive
20:15 - Dinner (can be served before night dive if requested)

Example itineraries

Below is a typical schedule for your trip onboard Ocean Hunter III. Your actual schedule may vary as all our trips are based around sea conditions, tides, currents and moon cycles. We want to dive the right site at the right time!

Typical Itinerary for 7 day trip:

Day 1
We will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30AM. You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.
12:30-1PM: First dive on Helmet Wreck (WWII Japanese ship which is easy to dive and you can check your gear and weights)
2:00-4:30PM- Ocean Hunter III will cross the lagoon to German Channel
4:30PM- Second dive at German Channel or Big Drop Off.
7PM Night dive
Dinner (can be moved before night dive at customer request on any day)

Days 2, 3, 4:
Wake up at 6:00-6:30AM with coffee, tea and sweet rolls
The diving on these days will be at some of the following dive sites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German wall, Barnum wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus coral gardens, Ngedebus wall, Fairyland, etc..
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 PM- Third dive
4:00 PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 5:
Ocean Hunter III moves to the Peleliu area and you dive at the following dive sites:
Peleliu Wall, Peleliu Corner, Peleliu Coral Garden, Orange Wall, Peleliu Expressway, White Beach, Yellow Wall, Peleliu Cut, etc
For those who are interested we can offer a land tour on the island of Peleliu which was a major battlefield during WWII.
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 PM- Third dive
4:00 PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 6:
Return to Ngemelis area for another dive and then make our way to Jellyfish Lake (snorkelling and hiking) and then to on Ulong.
Places that we dive there are: Ulong Channel, Siaes Tunnel, Siaes Corner and Shark City.
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00-1:30PM- Third dive
4:00 PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 7:
A dive in the Ulong area and then as we approach Koror, a shipwreck dive (Iro or Chuyo Maru) and then Chandelier Cave. If time permits they can also offer a trip to Mandarinfish Lake. Arrive at the dock in the late afternoon. Guests can rinse their gear and start packing.
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00PM- Third dive
4:00 PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 8- Guests have breakfast at 7:00 AM and disembark Ocean Hunter III at 8:00 AM. We provide the transportation to the hotel or the airport.

Typical Itinerary for 10 day trip:

Day 1:
We will pick you up from your hotel at 10:30AM. You can get your gear ready and have lunch on board.
12:30-1PM: First dive on Helmet Wreck (WWII Japanese ship which is easy to dive and you can check your gear and weights)
2:00-4:30PM- Ocean Hunter III will cross the lagoon to German Channel
4:30- Second dive at German Channel or Big Drop Off.
7PM Night dive
Dinner

Days 2, 3, 4:
Wake up at 6:00-6:30AM with coffee, tea and sweet rolls
The diving on these days will be at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German wall, Barnum wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus coral gardens, Ngedebus wall, Fairyland, etc..
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00PM- Third dive
4:00PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive, Dinner

Days 5 & 6:
Ocean Hunter III sails to the Peleliu area and you dive some of the following divesites:
Peleliu Wall, Peleliu Corner, Peleliu Coral Garden, Orange Wall, Peleliu Expressway, White Beach, Yellow Wall, Peleliu Cut, etc
For those who are interested they can offer a land tour on the island of Peleliu which was a major battlefield during WWII.
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00 PM- Third dive
4:00 PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 7:
Return to the Blue Corner/Ngemelis area for another day of diving
The diving on these days will be done at some of the following divesites: German Channel, Big Drop Off, New Drop Off, Blue Holes, German Wall, Barnum Wall, Blue Corner, Virgin blue hole, Turtle Cove, Ngedebus Coral Gardens, Ngedebus Wall, Fairyland, etc..
7AM First dive
8AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00PM- Third dive
4:00PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 8:
Diving in the area of Ngerechong Island and visit to Jellyfish lake
7AM First dive
8AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00PM- Visit to Jellyfish lake (instead of third dive)
4:00PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 9:
Diving at the Ulong Island area. Among the Dive sites that we will explore are: Ulong Channel, Ulong wall, Siaes Tunnel, Siaes Corner, Ulong Coral Garden
7AM First dive
8:30AM- Full breakfast
10:00AM- Second dive
12 noon- Lunch
1:00-1:30PM- Third dive
4:00 PM- Fourth dive
7PM - Night dive
Dinner

Day 10
7AM First dive on one of the WWII wrecks (Iro or Chuyo Maru)
8AM- Full breakfast
10AM- Second dive (dive on Jake Seaplane, a WWII airplane)
12 noon- Lunch
1:00PM- Third dive at Chandelier Cave
4:00-5:00 PM - Return to dock. Divers can wash your gear and will have dinner on board

Day 11:
7:00- Breakfast
8AM- Disembark the Ocean Hunter III to airport or your hotel (transportation provided).

Safety onboard

Safety remains a top priority at all times aboard the Ocean Hunter III. She has full safety equipment for all US Coast Guard requirements as well as an Emergency Oxygen Kit. A VHF marine radio and a cell phone maintain constant contact with land. Upon arrival, the crew will thoroughly brief you on safety aboard Ocean Hunter III, including use of life jackets, fire extinguishers and emergency exits. The crew has been specially trained in Emergency First Response, and all boating and diving emergencies.

Activity Info

Diving onboard

Ocean Hunter III will be travelling to all the usual spots and more! Not only will you be diving all the world-famous spots of Palau such as the fabled Blue Corner, we'll be taking her further afield too. At the moment they have trips planned to the Southwest Islands of Palau / Northern Papua New Guinea, Yap and the Outer Islands of Yap, The Northern Marianas and more. These virtually un-dived reefs are in pristine condition and represent a once-in-a-lifetime diving experience.

Maximizing your dives
The Ocean Hunter III crew will use their knowledge and experience to bring you to the right dive site at the right moment. Diving off the Ocean Hunter means you get personal attention, reefs without a crowd, easy entry into the water and a maximum bottom time! Instead of waiting for 25 other divers to surface or have them wait for you, you and your buddy can stay underwater as long as you like, without any pressure.

After giving you a briefing at least one divemaster will enter the water with you on every dive to guide, guard and assist.

Night dives are offered every night.

Level of diving experience
Ocean Hunters welcomes all levels of divers, from experienced to beginner. Their experienced instructors and divemasters will give you all the assistance and guidance you need. When your dive is over, you can climb back onboard and take a warm, freshwater shower right on the spacious dive deck before being offered a delicious snack such as cake or a fresh fruit smoothie. Where you live and where you dive is only a jump away.

The chase-boat is a purpose-built 35ft rigid hull boat designed specifically for divers, with ample room and dry storage areas. The chase-boat is always prepared to bring you to the dive sites when weather conditions require it. It is a rigid hull, semi-covered chase-boat, 35 feet long, with VHF marine radio and equipped with twin 225 HP Yamaha four stroke engines.

Picture yourself on a dive off the Ocean Hunter III at the always stunning Blue Corner. You are hooked into the reef corner at 60 feet/18 metres as uncountable sharks loom around you, and two huge eagle rays hover effortlessly in the current against a backdrop of blackbar barracuda. All too soon, you have to ascend to a shallower depth to remain within the no-decompression diving limits. As you longingly look back down at the corner, you see two other divers still down there, and they started the dive at the same time as you! They have bright yellow and green Nitrox labels on their tanks. How does this work?

Nitrox, or Enriched Air, is a mixture of air with less nitrogen and more oxygen than the normal air we breathe from our scuba tanks. Normal air contains approximately 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen. NITROX is available in mixtures of 32% oxygen, 36% oxygen and 40% oxygen. This higher oxygen percentage and lower nitrogen percentage in the air means that there is less nitrogen to dissolved into the bloodstream of a Nitrox user at the same time and depth as someone breathing normal air. Therefore, Nitrox lets you stay down for longer. You also benefit by shorter surface intervals due to less outgasing required, and at the end of the day you'll feel less fatigued from the reduced physiological effort of outgasing nitrogen. And perhaps the greatest advantage of NITROX is its enhancement of safe diving. NITROX reduces risks for decompression illness and will help you make the most of your unlimited diving aboard Ocean Hunter III.

Nitrox Course Onboard

You can get certified in using NITROX right aboard Ocean Hunter III! The course is divided into 4 hours of theory, 2 NITROX dives with the Instructor, and the final exam. If you plan to arrive in Palau a few days before boarding the Ocean Hunter, their dive shop Fish 'n Fins can certify you in NITROX.

Nitrox Dives Onboard

Ocean Hunter III has two separate filling stations enabling both silver air tanks and yellow NITROX tanks to be filled at the same time. Their IANTD certified gas-blender crew will pump your tank to the required O2 content and then analyze it. Before the dive, you?ll analyze your own tank with a second analyzer and sign a sheet stating the O2% in your tank and your maximum depth. Then you?ll slip into the water with all the benefits of NITROX.

Nitrox Costs
Pricing for Nitrox onboard Ocean Hunter depends on your requirements.

Diving safety
The nearest hyperbaric chamber is in Koror, the main town of Palau. However, we maintain safe diving practices aboard the Ocean Hunter at all times. A divemaster will give a thorough briefing and get in the water with you on every dive. Our crew is highly trained and experienced in maintaining dive safety and handling diving emergencies. An Emergency Oxygen Kit is onboard the boat. We do require all guests to dive with a safety sausage, which can be purchased from their shop before boarding the boat. NITROX diving, available onboard, greatly enhances safety, increasing bottom time as well.

Kayaking and Snorkeling

There is more to Palau than just diving! If you've got a day to fill before flying home, or just fancy a day out of the water, we can offer guided kayak excursions through the stunning Rock Islands, land tours to the sights and history of the 'Big Island', Babeldaob, or fishing trips to catch the denizens of the deep.

Kayak Trips

Is there any better way to see the Rock Islands than by gliding silently through Palau's clear waters on a kayak? Their kayak tours are lead by naturalists. All tours include food, drink, swimming and hiking. Your kayak glides silently through the Rock Islands, mangroves and marine lakes. Visit the remains of ancient Palauan villages where stone paths and ceremonial stone podiums tell us the story of the past. Explore caves, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, within the rock islands. Learn the WWII history through Japanese forts, lighthouses, and military and civilian installations.

Relaxed Trip
A relaxed tour to Nikko Bay and the Bat Cave.

Full Moon Tour
An excursion under the full moon. Celebrate the night with wine and cheese.

Rock Island Tour
Navigate the labyrinth of the Rock Islands. Explore the Bat Cave and the Mandarin Fish Lake. Full day.

A Night Under the Stars
Cruise to Ulong Island, home to one of the most beautiful Rock Island beaches. Trek to the top and rediscover the ancient Palauan caves. Listen to Palauan legends over the fire. Spend the night under the bright stars. Overnight tour.

Indiana Jones Trail
Jouney to hidden mangrove channels and limestone caves. Snorkel the sunken WWII seaplanes. Visit the Yapese Stone Money Quarry. Full day.

Snorkeling: Most reefs of Palau starts very shallow (1'-3') which allows non-divers to explore the reef and experience almost the same marine life encounters as our divers do. It is common for us to have divers and non-divers boarding the same boat. They can also offer trips dedicated to non-divers. We provide life jackets and floating devices to all snorkelers for your safety and protection.

Dining onboard

Dining onboard
Ocean Hunter owner and renowned chef and cookery writer Tova Har-El has developed our delicious gourmet menu. She has not only had extensive experience as a chef, but specifically as a liveaboard chef! She cooked on the first Palau liveaboard for more than a year and went out on the Ocean Hunter for the first six months in Palau, closely analyzing the tastes of hungry divers after exiting the water and learning to cater to their every taste whim. As a dedicated diver herself who knows the importance of low-fat, fiber rich meals, Tova designed our menu with international cuisines such as Palauan, Italian, Mediterranean, French and Japanese (with fresh sashimi and sushi), and with a bit of her own style as well. She has worked extensively with our cook Arlee. Below is a sample timetable for the food that Arlee will woo you with on a typical Ocean Hunter day.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are in abundance and will be served with every meal.

We will gladly cater to vegetarian or any other dietary request.
Snacks will be served in between meals.

06:00 AM: Gourmet coffee and tea are served with fresh sweet rolls and cakes.
08:00 AM: After the first dive of the day, we serve a full breakfast.
12:30 PM: After the third dive of the day, it's time for a buffet lunch.
Afternoon: Daily fresh fruit smoothies will be served (papaya, pineapple, soursop, and many other local exotic fruits).
7:30 PM: On a white tablecloth with chinaware, dinner will be served after the night dive, with a different gourmet soup every night to warm you up, followed by fresh salad and the international dinner of the day. Dinner can be served before the night dive if preferred.

Testimonials

Ocean Hunter III - History

Following 14 years of successfully operating Ocean Hunters I and II in the waters of Palau, owners Navot and Tova Bornovski had an urge to expand. Since then they have been looking for a suitable vessel to add to the fleet, one suitable not only for the waters around Palau, but also capable of longer distance trips around the unspoilt islands that scatter the Western Pacific Ocean.

Following the success of transforming the Harry Messel into Ocean Hunter II in 2003, the Bornovski's returned to the same source to find the latest addition to the fleet. Once again our latest ship was originally built and operated as a research vessel by the Australian Institute of Maritime Science (AIMS).

The RV Lady Basten was launched in 1978, intended primarily for operation in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Since then she went gone on to become the workhorse of the AIMS fleet, travelling all over from Ningaloo to Fraser Island, Timor to Papua New Guinea. During her life with AIMS she travelled over a million kilometres during over 7,500 days at sea.

In September 2007 the Lady Basten gained her new name, Ocean Hunter III and started her journey to Cebu, there to undergo a complete refit and renovation prior to her return to Palau in March 2008 as the newest and most luxurious liveaboard in town.