Palau Escape’s founder, Joseph Millan Gugliemelli's journey started in Miami, a coastal city that kindled his love for the ocean. Despite having moved to upstate New York at a young age, the annual trips to Florida's Key West, guided by his adopted Mother & Father, ignited a lifelong fascination with the waters. At 14, a diving course unlocked the door to an underwater world, and by 24, he was diving in Korea. By 2015, he was already an IANTD (International Association of NITROX and Technical Divers) & a IART (International Association of Rebreather Trainers) Instructor, roles that occupied all of his weekends in Okinawa, Japan. 

But Palau's allure was irresistible. Introduced by a Palauan friend, Joe was captivated by this paradise in 2012. Amid the turquoise waters, he found more than adventure - he found family. By 2016, he knew he had to make a choice: a life of obligations or a life immersed in his passion. Palau won.

Supported by his Palauan family, business partner Asailee, and diving legend Francis Toribiong, Joe left the military world to embrace Palau's depths. Toribiong's legacy became Joe's torch, igniting a passion to share Palau's treasures with others seeking escape, connection, and authenticity. 

With a heart fueled by his personal journey, Joe channels his passion into crafting personalized tour experiences for small groups of divers and snorkelers so you too can explore and embrace the genuine essence of Palau through the perspective of a local deeply immersed in the welcoming embrace of Palauan untainted hospitality.