Four Seasons Explorer Turns Palau Into a Moving Island Escape

The Four Seasons Explorer is one of the more unusual addresses in the Four Seasons portfolio.

Rather than checking into a resort and using it as a fixed base, guests board a small catamaran that moves through Palau’s islands, lagoons and dive sites.

It’s a format that makes particular sense in a country defined by water, with more than 300 islands, dramatic limestone formations and one of the Pacific’s most compelling marine environments.

At a glance

• Four Seasons Explorer is a luxury liveaboard catamaran operating in Palau with just 11 accommodations.
• The experience is built around diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding and excursions through Palau’s islands and lagoons.
• The vessel began operating in Palau in November 2023 after previously sailing in the Maldives.

Palau suits a floating Four Seasons

Palau sits in the western Pacific and is made up of hundreds of islands, many of them uninhabited.

Its landscape is as much marine as terrestrial, with clear water, coral reefs, underwater walls, caves, wrecks and the famous Rock Islands covered in dense vegetation.

That geography gives the Four Seasons Explorer its purpose.

Instead of returning to the same hotel each evening, guests travel with their accommodation, waking up closer to another reef, lagoon, beach or island.

The concept began in the Maldives, where the vessel operated as a luxury liveaboard for guests exploring several atolls.

It later moved to Palau and started operating there in November 2023, ahead of Four Seasons’ plans for a future land-based hotel in the country.

The result is closer to a private expedition yacht than a conventional cruise ship.

There are no large crowds or oversized public spaces, and the small scale allows the vessel to access parts of Palau that would be out of reach for a much larger ship.

Cabins dining and deck life

The Explorer carries 11 accommodations, including ten standard staterooms and one larger Explorer Suite.

The standard staterooms measure around 20 square metres and are designed for sleeping, changing and resting between excursions rather than spending long stretches indoors.

Depending on configuration, they offer either a king-size bed or twin beds, along with a small sitting area, private bathroom with shower, and refrigerated bar.

Storage is naturally more limited than in a typical resort room, so the experience rewards lighter, more practical packing.

The Explorer Suite is the vessel’s largest accommodation at 45 square metres.

It adds a daybed, dining area, walk-in wardrobe, private bar and outdoor terrace, making it the most comfortable option for travellers who want more space or a private place to sit outside.

The communal areas are arranged across three decks.

The lower deck houses most of the accommodation and the dive centre, while the middle deck includes the indoor dining area, living room, small library, bar and Explorer Suite.

The upper deck is the quieter retreat, with a lounge area, four sun loungers and an outdoor spa bed that can be screened with curtains for treatments.

Dining is included in the stay, while beverages are charged separately.

Breakfast is à la carte, lunch is served as a three-course meal and dinner as a four-course menu, with changing dishes that can range from seafood and pasta to Asian-influenced plates and fresh fruit desserts.

Beach barbecues may also be arranged at an additional cost.

A water-led itinerary with Palau beyond the reef

Diving and snorkeling are the core of the Four Seasons Explorer experience.

Palau is known for coral reefs, drop-offs, caves, wrecks and abundant marine life, and the daily rhythm can include multiple opportunities to get in the water.

For non-divers, the vessel carries snorkeling gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, making the lagoons and quieter waters accessible without scuba equipment.

Days tend to move between morning activities, lunch on board, afternoon excursions and time on deck.

Depending on conditions and the itinerary, sunset outings or night dives may also be part of the programme.

Land excursions add useful context to a destination often defined by its underwater world.

Guests may visit Ngardmau Waterfall, explore secluded lagoons and the Milky Way Lagoon, or spend time on Peleliu, where remnants of the Second World War remain in the jungle.

Cultural stops can include traditional bai meeting houses and ancient stone structures, offering a broader sense of Palau’s history.

The itinerary follows a broadly fixed route through Palau, travelling north to south and back again.

Guests can join at different points and stay for as little as one night or for a longer voyage, though that flexibility also means the exact sequence of places isn’t necessarily fixed far in advance.

Travellers particularly interested in the Rock Islands should raise that preference when booking, as this is one of the most distinctive parts of the archipelago.

Details & Specifications

Planning a Palau sailing

Reaching Palau takes more planning than many resort destinations, as only a limited number of airlines fly there.

Common options include China Airlines from Taipei and United Airlines from Tokyo, Manila or Guam.

On arrival at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, guests are met for a car transfer to the harbour, followed by a speedboat ride to the Explorer.

The length of that boat transfer depends on where the vessel is anchored, but it also serves as a first look at Palau’s turquoise water and island scenery.

The best time to visit is generally from December through April, when rainfall is lower, seas tend to be calmer and conditions are especially favourable for diving and snorkeling.

This is an experience best suited to travellers who want days shaped by the water rather than by a traditional resort routine.

For divers, snorkelers and island-hoppers, the Four Seasons Explorer offers a rare way to see Palau without constantly packing, transferring or doubling back to shore.