Chandelier Cave
Diving Chandelier Cave Palau
At Fish ’n Fins, Palau’s premium dive shop, we like to bring all our qualified divers to Chandelier Cave Palau, a fantastic cave dive. We usually offer this great cave dive as a third tank dive and include it in our Best Price Hotel & Dive Packages. In this blog, we explain how to dive this site and give you interesting facts and information about the cave’s formation. Our divemasters are the best in Palau and will introduce you to their favorite cave dive - enjoy the following read and diving Chandelier Cave with Fish ’n Fins Palau.
Location and Distance from Koror
Chandelier Cave is located in Malakal Harbor, Palau Less than One (1) mile (1.6 kilometers) from most dive shops in Koror.
Visibility and Diving Depth Summary
Excellent visibility if the bottom is undisturbed. The entrance to the cave is 12 feet (4 meters) from the surface to the top of the entrance. The bottom is in 36 feet (12 meters), there is no current inside the cave.
Fascinating Facts
There are numerous stories of how Chandelier Cave was first discovered. The most believable story goes back to the post WWII era. Ordinance teams were combing the island looking for unexploded bombs and ammunition. The team found three (3) depth charges, they can still be seen to the left of the entrance. These are the same type and shape that can be found on the Helmet Wreck. While trying to remove the depth charges the entrance to the cave was discovered. Another story tells of a fisherman, who was out catching dinner one day. The fisherman saw a large fish and tried to catch it, but the fish swam toward the island and disappeared into the entrance to the cave.
General Information about Chandelier Cave Palau
Chandelier Cave is a cave system made up of five (5) separate chambers. Each chamber is connected to the other and each can be entered. Important Notice: Divers, who are claustrophobic and/or have concerns about caves or diving in darkness, should avoid this dive.
Reef Formation of Chandelier Cave Palau
The mushroom-shaped rock islands of Palau were formed from limestone reefs pushed upwards, in ancient times, by underlying volcanic activity. The islands get their distinctive shape from wave and tidal action as well as that from invertebrates scraping away tiny bits of the island as they graze on algae. Over the millennium's rainwater, percolating down through the limestone eroded the interior of the islands forming, in some cases, vast cave systems. At one time, Chandelier Cave was an open-air cave not water-filled as it is today. Over time, the stalactites (limestone pinnacles hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (limestone pinnacles growing from the floor) slowly grew into magnificent formations resembling priceless glittering chandeliers. After the last ice age, the water level slowly rose, completely concealing the cave's entrance. The cave is comprised of five (5) chambers, four (4) are water-filled chambers (each with an air pocket) and the fifth is completely above water and connected to the last two water chambers.
Marine life at Chandelier Cave Palau
Look for soldierfish and cardinal fish hanging around the opening to the cave as well as small shrimp and crabs that cling to the sponges found along the walls. The elusive Mandarin Fish, found only in a few locations, can also reward the patient diver.
Diving Chandelier Cave Palau
The entrance to the cave is through a 10-foot (3 meters) diameter opening in the rock island approximately 12 feet (4 meters) from the surface. Underwater lights are a must and the brighter the better. The bottom of the cave is sand and silt that can easily be disturbed. Do your best to stay off the bottom. As you enter the cave system, the first thing you can see is darkness followed by even more darkness. If you look back toward the entrance, you will see a bluish light; this light is visible no matter where you are in the cave system. As you enter the first chamber and your eyes adapt, you will start to make out the shapes that appear to be hanging magically from the water surface. These will emerge as enormous stalactites hanging down into the water. Start your ascent slowly, with one arm raised above your head so you do not accidentally hit one of the stalactites and damage it (or your head). In the first chamber, as you shine your light above, you can see the marvelous colors and shapes that nature has provided. From here you can work your way on into the other 4 chambers. If you want to enter the 5th chamber you will have to remove your dive gear. Be forewarned, you will have to crawl and slide through some very tight places lined with slippery black mud, but the reward will be worth the trip. While still in the cave system it is fun to turn off all dive lights; you will begin to understand the real meaning of black. In a few minutes, the light from the cave entrance will become visible and soon you will see an eerie green glow. Take time to re-explore each chamber, with your eyes adjusted to the dark everything will look a little bit different.
Booking your personal Chandelier Cave Dive with Fish 'n Fins Palau
Book one of our Best Price Hotel & Dive Packages, which include Chandelier Cave Palau, or send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., respectively call us on WhatsApp +680 775 5416.