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Overview

A snorkel and diving adventure

Travel to one of the most sustainable destinations in the world with Stanford and gain valuable insights to the natural world we’ll explore. Nearly every day brings snorkel or diving excursions in waters that boast more than 1,500 species of fish, more than 700 species of coral, and a variety of pelagic organisms.

Swim along barrier reefs, inner lagoons, and seagrass beds, and kayak in awe-inspiring mangrove forests. Additionally, we'll learn about Palau's cultural heritage and the impacts of World War II on the island, visiting remnants of WWII battles and aircraft wrecks. Opt to join the post-trip extension to the captivating island of Yap and experience one of the most unique and best-preserved cultures within Micronesia.

Dates

March 8–18, 2026

Duration

11 days

Price

From $11,595

Trip size

23 participants

Minimum age

14 years
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Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Steve Palumbi

Oceans and Biology

Professor Palumbi has worked extensively on the genomics of marine organisms, focusing on basic evolutionary questions but also on practical solutions to questions about how to preserve and protect the diverse life in the sea.

We would rate Steve as one the best faculty leaders we have experienced. Not only were his lectures engaging, relevant, and informative, but he was truly engaged and added immensely to our trip.

—Allen Lauer

Itinerary

Chart your course of discovery

In addition to daily water activities at some of the world’s most incredible snorkel and dive sites, we connect with the local communities to learn about their ancient culture as well as modern-day life on these remote islands. On the island of Peleliu, we explore the history and impacts of WWII.

  • Koror, Palau

    Arrive to Palau in the evening and transfer to the Palau Pacific Hotel, our home for the next 10 nights.

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

  • Intro to Snorkeling

    After a morning briefing and breakfast, grab a bento box and depart for a day of snorkeling. Our snorkel sites will be shallow and calm, allowing us to test our snorkel gear and brush up on skills. After a full day in the water with two snorkel excursions, return to the hotel for dinner.

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Risong Bay and Babeldaob Island

    Divide into two groups today for kayaking and snorkeling in Risong Bay—with the potential to see the dugong marine mammal—and experiencing the culture and natural beauty of Babeldaob Island. (The groups swap excursions later in the program.)

    Risong Bay
    Hidden within Risong Bay's walls, six secretive pockets of bays and lagoons allow kayaks to easily pass through tunnel entrances to shallow lakes and bays where speed boats can't reach. For millennia, these bays have served as nurseries for baby sharks, stingrays, and eagle rays. Pristine coral gardens, undisturbed by divers or fisherman, are rich marine biodiversity centers bursting with baby butterfly fish, honeycomb groupers, and the unusual crocodile fish.

    Babeldaob Island
    Heading to Babeldaob Island, we visit a traditional bai house. Learn about the role the Council of Chiefs plays in Palau society as we stand in one of the iconic structures that serves as their sacred gathering place. Time permitting, stop to see the terraces that were built by ancient Palauans and have led researchers to call this the area of the green pyramids. After a lunch of traditional dishes, take a short hike to the Ngchesar Waterfalls for a dip in the upper pools.

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • to

    Excursions around Palau

    In the true spirit of exploration, daily activities are determined based on current weather and tide conditions to ensure we visit the best sites at the most ideal times. The following is a sampling of locations we hope to experience over the course of our time in Palau:

    Rock Islands
    Board a covered speedboat and enjoy gorgeous tropical scenery en route to Palau’s geologically fascinating Rock Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    German Channel
    During the German occupation of Palau, this channel was blasted and dredged to connect the inner lagoon of Angur Island to the open ocean. Explore these nutrient-rich waters that flow into the channel with the tide as they attract manta rays, schools of sharks, jacks, barracudas, trevallies, and snappers. The sandy bottom is home to garden eels and blind gobies.

    Ngemelis Conservation Area
    A sheer vertical wall runs along the length of Ngemelis Island, providing a habitat for soft, leather, and fan corals. Watch for colorful anemones and an abundance of reef fish on the reef's upper layers. Sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, Moorish idols, sergeant majors, and a variety of butterflyfish and angelfish patrol the reef edge.

    Cemetery Reef
    Named for an artificial structure in the shape of a cross that was placed on top of the reef, Cemetery Reef is a great snorkel site with many hard and soft corals at shallow depth. The area abounds with small reef fish such as fusiliers, anthias, and rainbow runners.

    Giant Clam Beach
    Hundreds of giant tridacna clams, some weighing up to 500 pounds, line the beach here. With an amazing variation of color and patterns within the clams' iridescent mantles, these beautiful living pieces of art make fantastic subjects for photographers.

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Risong Bay and Babeldaob Island

    Today, the group that previously visited Risong Bay ventures to Babeldaob Island, while those that enjoyed the cultural visit spend the day kayaking and snorkeling. 

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • to

    Snorkeling and Diving

    Continue our underwater exploration of Palau with full days snorkeling and diving.

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Peleliu

    During WWII, Palau was the site of a fierce battle between the United States and Japan. The longest battle took place in Peleliu, where the Japanese built a small landing strip. This was the site of one of the Pacific's bloodiest battles as U.S. Marines made an amphibious assault on the beaches in 1944 in an attempt to liberate the island from Japanese forces. Visit the infamous Thousand Man Cave and see remnants of Japanese buildings, gun emplacements, tanks, planes, and weapons. This evening, gather to toast our journey at a farewell dinner.

    Accommodations:

    Palau Pacific Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Palau / Home

    After resting in hotel rooms that have been reserved for the night, depart shortly after midnight for Koror Airport to board homeward flights.

Make the most of your trip

Want more time to explore? Get the most out of your stay in this region when you sign up for an optional trip extension.

Post-trip Extension: Yap

Northeast of Palau, Yap is a captivating island where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with breathtaking natural beauty. Learn from our guides about daily life on a small island and spend time with the large population of manta rays that swim in the surrounding pristine coral reef.

Dates

March 18–22, 2026

Duration

5 days
  • Koror, Palau / Colonia, Yap

    After breakfast at the Palau Pacific Resort, we'll board our charter flight to Yap. Experience breathtaking aerial views of the island surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters as we depart Palau. Upon arrival in Yap, we'll transfer to our hotel for lunch, followed by an afternoon of water activities.

    Accommodations:

    Manta Ray Bay Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Manta Ridge

    After breakfast, take a speed boat to Manta Ridge, a 30-foot ridge of coral that straddles Mi'l Channel. Conditions permitting, enjoy a drift snorkel as the tidal current allows easy access for mantas to glide in and out of the lagoon and for a variety of small reef fish to set up shop providing cleaning stations for the mantas. Additionally, the area is popular with white-tip and gray reef sharks, schools of jacks, and black snappers.

    Accommodations:

    Manta Ray Bay Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Blue Holes

    In the morning, depart for Blue Holes where large hard coral bommies are often surrounded by staghorn coral fields. Keep an eye out for resting stingrays in some of the shallower holes. After lunch, enjoy some free time before embarking on another water activity.

    Accommodations:

    Manta Ray Bay Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Yap Island

    Enjoy another snorkel in the morning. Choose free time in the afternoon or opt to join a cultural excursion to learn how the Yapese have surpassed the rest of Micronesia in preserving their ancient culture. Later, we gather to celebrate our experience in Yap with a sunset barbecue. After resting in our rooms that have been reserved for the night, depart shortly before midnight for the airport.

    Accommodations:

    Manta Ray Bay Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Yap / Home

    Depart in the early hours for flights home via Guam.

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Pricing

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The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

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