Welcome to Fish 'n Fins Palau, your go-to expert dive shop for exploring the breathtaking underwater world of Palau. One of the most stunning dive sites we offer is German Wall, located on the southwest side of Ngemelis Island and northwest of German Channel.
With a distance of 24 miles (39 km) from Koror, German Wall is easily accessible by speedboat, taking 40 to 50 minutes to reach. Novice divers can enjoy this site, as it offers a range of depths from 3 to 120 feet (1 to 40 meters) and moderate to no currents, making it a comfortable and safe experience.
The reef formation at German Wall is a sheer vertical wall that runs along the entire length of Ngemelis Island, dropping straight down to 900 feet (274 meters) at its edge. At extreme low tide, the top of the reef will be exposed, providing an awe-inspiring sight. The marine life at German Wall is abundant and diverse, offering a thrilling adventure for any underwater enthusiast.
Pyramid Butterflyfish, Square Anthias, Moorish Idols, Sargent Major's, and Yellowtail Fusiliers are among the myriad of fish found all along the edge and top of the reef. Blue Face, Regal, and Emperor Angelfish are easily spotted, and dwarf angelfish, such as Coral Beauty, Keyhole, and Gray's, dart in and around the coral heads at the top of the reef. Clarki and Blue Stripped Clownfish with their host anemones are also scattered along the reef. Hawksbill Turtles like to feed and rest at the top of the reef, and if approached slowly, they can be observed up close. White Tip and Nurse Sharks sleep on the sandy bottom, making for a truly unforgettable sight.
The dive at German Wall starts from one of two buoys, depending on which direction the current is flowing. It's best to dive in both directions to fully appreciate the stunning beauty of the site. As you drop down into the clear water, you'll find yourself drifting with the current at a depth of 40 to 60 feet (12 to 18 meters). Should the current change, simply pick another depth and continue back in the direction you started.
The sea fans that jut out from the wall make an excellent background for spectacular photo ops, and soft corals whose colors range from deep violet to hot pink are everywhere. Schools of Pyramid Butterflyfish and Square Anthias forage for plankton just a few feet from the wall, while Gray Reef, White Tip, and solitary Leopard sharks patrol back and forth along the drop-off. Leather corals are abundant, and in some areas, they hide the underlying reef substrate. With a keen eye, you may be able to spot Leaf fish, Stonefish, and the venomous Lionfish, so ornately camouflaged that they seem to melt into the rocks. As you do your 15-foot (3-meter) safety stop, drift along the top edge of the reef and marvel at all the colorful reef fish that dart in and out of the coral heads.
German Wall is not just a stunning dive site but also holds a fascinating history. Around 30 feet (10 meters) from the mooring buoy to the east, at a depth of 35 feet (12 meters), a large chain connected to a 6-foot (2-meter) steel sphere can be seen. This chain and ball were used during World War II to prevent the Japanese from entering the waterway leading to German Channel. Lieutenant Barnum from the US Navy conducted the operation, and the chain and ball on German Wall remained a mystery for 40 years until newly appointed Admiral Barnum returned to Palau in 1986 and told his story.