Palau Sport Reviewed in 2026

Anilao, Apo Reef, and Tubbataha Reef—these three destinations will conjure up images of world-class diving for anyone familiar with Southeast Asia. If you haven’t dived this area of the Philippines, know that you’re in for a treat.

Anilao regularly tops lists of leading macro diving destinations. The reefs of Apo and Tubbataha not only offer some of the most colorful, picturesque coral reefs you could wish for, but they also deliver outstanding megafauna encounters. What’s more, these are not the only destinations the MY Palau Sport can reach.

This liveaboard may be named a little confusingly, but there is no doubt that it is an excellent platform for discovering Philippines diving. The Palau Sport offers 12 cabins and has space for 24 divers on a full charter. Aside from safety, the team has one priority for all of its trips—creating a comfortable experience in the middle of the Philippine Sea.

Read on for our detailed overview of Palau Sport.

Where to book

Palau Sport liveaboard yacht anchored in calm hazy water

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Diving on the MY Palau Sport

dugong swimming close to two small yellow fish over a sandy seabed

translucent shrimp perched on a vivid red soft coral colony

large humphead wrasse swimming close to the camera in blue water

manta ray silhouetted against sunlight filtering through the water

Depending on the destination you choose for your Philippine adventure, you can complete up to four dives a day. Dive preparations start from the dive deck, with plenty of space to allow all 24 divers to get ready at the same time and store their dive gear in between dives.

The MY Palau Sport has two dedicated chase boats, ready to take divers right to the best drop points for each dive. Whether you’re getting ready to dive with dugongs in Tubbataha or exploring a wreck in Coron, the experienced crew will take you to the right place. This liveaboard has one of the most experienced crews in the area, which helps make trips run smoothly.

What to expect from the diving itself depends entirely on the itinerary you choose. It’s easy to say that the Philippines offers outstanding tropical diving, but aside from that, itineraries are extremely varied. Tubbataha Reef Natural Park has a short season, lasting only a few months, allowing these outstanding reefs and biodiversity to recover in between seasons.

Places like Malapascua are world-renowned for thresher shark encounters and incredible underwater landscapes. Thresher shark sightings happen almost daily here at the Monad Shoal pinnacle, but the reefs have much more to offer.

There are also macro dive sites in the area, and you may have a chance to dive shipwrecks, too. Dyed-in-the-wool wreck divers may enjoy a liveaboard trip to Coron even more.

Destinations like Verde Island are an excellent choice for fans of adrenaline diving with sometimes strong currents, and macro photographers can count on Anilao liveaboards for outstanding shots of some of the smallest critters around.

Highlights:

Large dive deck and dedicated chase boats
Chances for thresher shark and dugong encounters
Great choice of destinations for year-round diving

Onboard the MY Palau Sport

outdoor dining tables set for dinner on the boat's upper deck at night

indoor dining room with wicker chairs and portholes along the wall

cabin bunk bed and desk with a porthole window

wooden bar counter stocked with drinks and a beverage fridge

rows of scuba tanks lined up on the boat's dive deck

Step onboard the 125-foot (38 m) steel-hulled liveaboard for your first look at this newly renovated vessel. The MY Palau Sport accommodates 24 divers comfortably in 12 cabins. All cabins feature ensuite bathrooms, equipped with bath towels, hot and cold water showers, and basic toiletries.

For budget-conscious travelers, the nine twin bunk cabins are an excellent option. They may be a little on the small side, but still offer comfortable twin beds and ample storage space for your belongings.

If you’d prefer even more comfort, take a look at the three queen suite cabins. The queen suite cabins are not only larger than the twin cabins, but they also benefit from plenty of natural light and sea views. Plus, if you do need to do some work during your trip, each queen suite cabin has a workstation allowing you to maximize your time onboard. These three cabins have queen-size double beds.

Outside of passenger cabins, the MY Palau Sport has a choice of functional and comfortable communal areas. The sundeck is a great place to relax and soak up the views, while the bar lounge not only serves drinks but also offers a cooler, air-conditioned space to spend your time in between dives.

To keep divers safe, the boat has a dedicated charging station for lights, cameras, and other equipment. Designed specifically to avoid guests charging batteries in rooms, this centralized charging station on the second level of the MY Palau Sport has adequate power and universal sockets, so you’ll never be stuck for a plug socket or an adapter.

Highlights:

Queen suite cabins with dedicated workstations
Separate charging station for appliances

Dining on the MY Palau Sport

buffet trays of rice, vegetables, and grilled dishes laid out for dinner on deck

lounge area with bean bags near the boat's bar and portholes

long dining table set with wine glasses and place settings

With up to four dives a day, it’s no wonder that divers get hungry on their Philippines liveaboard trip. That’s why there is a dedicated kitchen team of two taking care of nothing else aside from keeping divers fed well throughout their journey.

The culinary experience on the MY Palau Sport starts with a welcome cocktail. Throughout the trip, the team serves main meals either in the indoor dining and lounge area or on the top deck in the alfresco dining area. Eating on the top deck is a great way to enjoy outstanding views while tucking in. Guests will dine on a combination of Western, Philippine, and Asian-inspired dishes.

The team is happy to cater to vegetarians and vegans, and they can also accommodate other dietary requirements. As always, we recommend advising the operator well ahead of visiting remote destinations.

In addition to main meals, divers can help themselves to snacks throughout the day. The boat’s team offers free soft drinks and free wine with dinner. Guests can also purchase a selection of fine wines and beer.