Peleliu Corner - Adrenaline Rush of Reef Hook Diving

Peleliu Corner is where Peleliu Expressway and Peleliu Cut merge and the ocean currents converge into the most extreme ripping current you will encounter as a diver. There is a reason they call part of this dive Expressway and that is because if you cannot hook in you are most definitely taking an expressway out to open ocean. U.S. Coast Guard approved transponders and safety sausage were required on this dive for good reason.

We had descended along Peleliu Wall down to about 104 feet. Our plan was to follow the wall for part of the dive slowly ascending to the top of the reef. Once we were given the signal by the dive guide we were to pop over the top of the wall as a group and hook in. When it was time to end the dive the dive guide would give us another signal and then, as a group, we would unhook and sail down the plateau out to open ocean where our boat would be waiting.

The signal was given to ascend the wall and hook in. With hook in hand and all air out of our BC’s we popped over the top of the wall staying low looking for rocks to hook onto. Mary tried to hook in but was having difficulty getting the hook to find purchase. I grabbed her arm and kicked against the current until she found a good hold with the hook. I grabbed a rock with my hand and felt the rock tearing flesh in my fingers. Mary released her line and immediately floated backward like a kite in a strong wind, a huge smile on her face.


Mary Reef Hook Diving

I pulled myself forward hand over hand kicking with all my might, hooked onto a rock and let go of the line. The current caught me and I floated back with such force that the rock broke and I was swiftly carried away from the group. Having no interest in visiting the Philippines, at that specific moment, I descending to the bottom and kicked furiously until I was able to grab hold of a rock with the finger tips of both hands, I could see greenish colored liquid flowing from my fingertips but could not let go. I looked up and the dive guide gave me the questioning okay sign. I shook my head no but there was nothing he could do and there was no way that I could return an “are you seriously asking me that?” signal without letting go.

Pulling my way slowly against the current I finally found a good rock to hook onto, released the line, snapped back like a kite, and enjoyed the parade of gray reef sharks, snappers and jacks effortlessly swim against the current that I had mightily struggled against just moments before.



At the given signal to unhook you release all air in your BC, pull yourself down to the hook, and release it. At that moment you are whisked by the current at a speed you cannot imagine. We sped down the plateau filled with Moorish idols, surgeonfish, parrotfish, and anthias until we came to the bitter end of the plateau and an elevator ride into the deep blue for our safety stop.