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Products
/ Liveaboards
/ Micronesia
/ Ocean Hunter 1
The intimate alternative to the big live-aboard vessels
The Ocean Hunter I has been specifically designed by divers,
for divers. Unlimited diving is conducted off a spacious
diving platform at the stern of the boat and hardly ever
off a chaseboat (so you can climb right back onto the boat
when youre done and take a warm freshwater shower!).
Ocean Hunter I has three cabins with private bath and a/c,
and accommodates up to 6 guests, which means uncrowded reefs,
ease of entry into the water, personal attention and maximized
bottom time.
Furthermore, the vessel is designed for professional underwater
photography, with a big working area and more than 60 electrical
outlets (110 and 220 volt), extra storage space, and E-6
processing available overnight.
NITROX tanks and certification are available onboard. The
chef serves fresh low-fat gourmet cuisine. Built by the
pioneer divers of Palau for others to explore Palau's waters,
reefs, caves and wrecks for themselves in comfort and intimate
luxury, Ocean Hunter I provides a high-class, unrivalled
liveaboard experience for diving the true Palau.
The Ocean Hunter staff is a family. Unlike the bigger
liveaboard boats who change crews and captains often, this
family-run business gives you the same famous service and
knowledge. A maximum number of 6 divers only get spoiled
on those excursions.
About the diving
Explore Palau's famous reefs, wrecks, lakes and rock islands,
with only six guests on board and a shallow draft that allows
for uncrowded dive sites and maximum flexibility. The best
dives of Palau, crown jewel of Micronesia diving, and among
the top dive sites in the world for unrivaled marine biodiversity
and pristine diving.
Click
here for more information about the diving in Palau.
Vessel
The 60 foot beamy, steel motor sailer's hull was built in
Holland in 1979. Ocean Hunter's small size means uncrowded
reefs, ease of entry, maximized dive time, and personalized
attention.
Sun Deck: A large sun tanning area forward for
those of you who want to sunbathe and comfortable covered
seating aft to protect you from overexposure.
Salon and Dining Room: Magnificently built of varnished
teak, the salon of the Ocean Hunter is very homey and comfortable.
It is separately air-conditioned and has a sophisticated
entertainment centre and a bar.
A few words about the food - The chef, Solomon, has been
on board since August 1994. Their gourmet menu was developed
by Tova, who went out on the boat for the first six months
in Palau, learning what their guests liked. As a dedicated
diver who knows the importance of low-fat, fibre-rich meals,
she has designed a menu with foods from around the world:
Palauan, Italian, Mediterranean, French, Japanese (with
fresh sashimi, sushi, and deliciously cooked fresh seafood)
and much more. Numerous snacks will be served in between
meals. Fresh vegetables and fruits are in abundance and
will be served with every meal. Solomon will gladly cater
to vegetarian or any other dietary request.
- Length: 60 ft
- Beam: 15.5 ft
- Draft: 5.5 ft
- Displacement: 30 tons
- Construction: Steel
- Engines: Twin 175 hp
- Speed: 7 knots
- Fuel: 750 gallons allows 1500 nautical mile range
- Electricity: Very quiet generators supply 24 hour electricity
in 110 and 220 volts. All outlets regulated and surge
protected.
- Fresh Water: 500 gallons (2000 litres) a day water maker
supplies unlimited fresh water.
- Electronics: GPS, SatNav,Weatherfax, 48 mile radar,
Depth sounder, Fishfinder, VHF, HF radio, TV, VCR, CD
Stereo
- Dinghys: 15 ft inflatable, 21 ft fibreglass
- Dive compressors: Bauer 5; 3.5 c.f.m., 12 scuba tanks
- Safety: Full safety equipment in compliance with USCG
requirements, Emergency Oxygen kit
- Library: A fantastic scientific marine library,with
books about marine life, Palau, Micronesia, and underwater
photography.
- Entertainment: CD player with a great collection of
over 100 music CDs (and weInvite you to bring your own).
TV and VCR (American and European Systems PAL, SECAM,
NTSC). Rich video library with underwater movies, dive
destinations, and fun movies (you are most welcome to
bring your own).
Accommodation
Three separately air-conditioned cabins can accommodate
up to six divers.
- Cabin 1: Two single, extra-wide beds; private
bathroom and shower.
- Cabin 2: Two single, extra-wide beds; private
bathroom and shower.
- Cabin 3: Master stateroom. King-size bed and
a single bed will sleep a couple or two singles. Private,
spacious bathroom and shower.
Itinerary
The beauty of live-aboard diving around Palau is that
distances between dive sites are very short compared
to some other destinations. This allows the itinerary
to be very flexible as the only restrictions are tidal
patterns and the general weather conditions. Ocean Hunter
offers 7 day and extended 10 or 12 day cruises
You can dive as much as you like or take it easy and
explore some of the beautiful lagoons and caves in the
Rock Islands area. With only six people on board your
personal wishes and interest will be catered for. Of
course the crew also does has a number of dive sites
that they
want to show you!
Special
Interests:
When weather permits, Ocean Hunter can sail down
to the southernmost
islands of the Palau chain, Peleliu and Anguar. Both
islands have deserted, shallow harbours, which were
the sites of major WW2 battles. On these expeditions,
there is an optional land tour with a local history
guide. So if WWII or special critters are your interest,
please let us know early.
Features
The Ocean Hunter was designed to accommodate divers and
offer some special considerations:
- Unlimited
diving - Many boats advertise this, but only a few will
truly let you dive as much as you want.
- Unlimited
dive time - As long as you and your buddy have enough
bottom time and air, you can continue the underwater exploration.
- Freedom
underwater - The dive masters and captain will assist
you and accompany every dive, but if you want to explore
on your own, they will not hassle you.
- No
tender rides - Because of its size and shallow draft,
the Ocean Hunter will take you above the dive site and
you will jump off the main boat from our comfortable dive
platform. When the dive is over, you'll climb aboard and
take a warm, freshwater shower right on the dive deck.
No 30-minute rides on dive tenders like the bigger liveaboards
in Palau!
- Night
dives on every night - OH offer great night diving on
every night. The small size allows you to spend the night
right on Palau's dive sites.
- Nitrox
- a nitrox blending facility is on board. Nitrox certification
courses available. For a small additional fee you can
use the benefits of Nitrox.
- Ocean
Hunter is a photography-friendly vessel. Most guests are
keen photographers. Knowing the importance and value of
your camera gear, they have put an extra effort into designing
a big working area and more than 60 electrical outlets
(110 volt and 220 volt) throughout the boat. The Ocean
Hunter is connected with Palau's leading photo shop, where
you can rent or buy anything you need. E-6 processing
is also available overnight. PCs for downloading images
are available.
Departures
& prices
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