Siaes Corner
Location: West of Koror, northwest of Ulong Island.
Distance from Koror: 17 miles (27 kilometers). 30-40 minutes by speedboat.
Visibility: 45 -120 feet (15 to 40 m) depending on outgoing/incoming tides.
Level of Diving Experience: Novice to Intermediate.
Diving Depth Summary: Surface to the top of the reef: 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 meters). Best diving depth: 30 to 60 feet (10 to 20 m). Bottom: 120 to 160 feet (40 to 53 m).
Currents: Can be very strong, especially during the incoming tide.
General Information: The western reef system of Palau runs unbroken from the West Channel to German Channel. The proper name for the reef where Siaes Corner is located is Rebotel Reef. There are many excellent dive sites along this extensive reef. Siaes Corner is not visited very often and makes a great drift dive when the tide is running.
Reef Formation: Siaes Corner is a vertical drop that starts about 10-15 feet (3 to 5 m) below the surface. Rebotel Reef is part of the western reef, which starts at Ulong Channel, runs to the north toward Siaes Tunnel and ends at Siaes Corner. The reef wall drops vertically 120 to160 feet (40 to 53 m) where it merges with a plateau of broken coral and sand, then slopes off hundreds of feet to the open ocean floor.
Marine life: During the incoming tide, large schools of Gray Reef Sharks, barracuda and jacks can be seen patrolling the edge of the reef. Pyramid Butterflyfish, Square Anthias, Moorish Idols, Sergeant Majors, and Yellowtail Fusiliers are found in abundance along the edge and top of the reef. Blueface, Regal, and Emperor Angelfish are generally seen along the wall. Clarki, and 'Blue Stripped' Clownfish with their host anemones are scattered along the shallow reef. During your drift to the corner keep an eye out for Hawksbill and Green turtles feeding along the top and edges of the reef. They can be easily approached and are not camera shy.
Diving: The dive usually starts on either side of the corner depending on the direction of the current. The best depth to see the most activity on this reef is between 30 to 60 feet (10 to 20 meters). As you reach the corner slowly ascend to the top of the plateau. Important Notice: Currents on this reef can get very strong. Reef hooks will make the dive a lot more enjoyable. Be careful that you do not hook into living coral, find a rock or patch of dead coral.
Fascinating Facts: When watching Anemone fish, have you ever wondered which one was male or female? You will find that there is one fish larger fish than the rest of those inhabiting the anemone. That is the female. If you remove the female from the anemone then the dominant male will change sex and become the female. The marvels of nature!!