Helen Reef - Facts

Description:

This is one of the outer islands of Palau and lies some 350 miles SW of the main island. It is a National Park and just 3 rangers live there.

It is a mostly submerged atoll with just one classic desert island (Helen Island) only 8 feet above sea level and covered in trees. It is surrounded by a reef with one pass. The island is a sea bird sanctuary, breeding ground for green turtles and home to over 500 species of fish, as well as having an abundance of coral types (both soft and hard).

Rising sea levels are threatening the island's existence and erosion is a problem. The island is just a quarter of its original size and shrinking daily. Other threats include illegal fishing, coral bleaching, ship grounding and fuel spills. The reef is now under the care of the Hatohobei State Helen Reef Management Plan and at the start of 2020 Palau banned fishing in 80% of its waters (as well as the use of suncreens).

Cruisers Highlights:

One of the Pacific's most outstanding atolls; convenient stopover between Borneo and PNG; remote and isolated (only a handful of yachts visit every year); abundance of wildlife.

Entrance Notes and Cautions:

The pass into the lagoon is located approximately half way down the western side of the reef. There is shoal in the pass of 4.6m. Immediately south of the pass is Round Rock, which dries. Exercise caution approaching the pass at HW in smooth seas, as breakers won't be seen on the submerged reef.

The lagoon is scattered with patch and pinnacle reefs.

Tidal currents over Helen Reef are strong. On a falling tide water flows out of the lagoon over the reef in all directions until the reef is exposed, and then flows out of the pass. The reverse happens on a rising tide. Consequently tidal currents are at their strongest in the pass near the end of the ebb and at the start of the flood.

Position:

02°52.48'N, 131°43.13'E (pass entrance)