Palau Attractions
Welcome to the mesmerizing paradise of Palau, a South Pacific gem with 500+ emerald islands nestled within azure seas and thriving marine life.
From the awe-inspiring Rock Island South Lagoon, home to 445 uninhabited limestone islands with turquoise lagoons and diverse marine life, to the enchanting Jellyfish Lake, where you can swim among millions of jellyfish, Palau offers one-of-a-kind underwater wonders.
Adventure awaits at Ngardmau Falls, where a challenging hike leads to a breathtaking waterfall and rejuvenating pool. Milky Way Beach beckons with its therapeutic mud, while Long Beach invites you to stroll on a sandbar during low tide. And for divers, Blue Corner is a must, featuring strong currents and an abundance of schooling fish and sharks. Come and discover Palau’s aquatic wonders, where every dive is a magical journey into the vibrant and mesmerizing world beneath the waves.
Rock Island
South Lagoon
Welcome to the awe-inspiring Rock Islands South Lagoon, a mesmerizing paradise that beckons experience its captivating beauty firsthand. This enchanting sanctuary boasts 445 uninhabited limestone islands, each adorned with unique mushroom-like shapes, set amidst turquoise lagoons fringed by coral reefs.
The intricate reef system boasts over 385 coral species, teeming with diverse marine life, including dugongs and thirteen shark species. Marvel at the highest concentration of marine lakes, creating isolated bodies of crystal-clear seawater.
With its pristine sandy beaches and azure waters, it feels like snorkeling in an opulent, private aquarium. These islands are not just picturesque; they hold the secrets of ancient civilizations, evident through stonework villages, burial sites, and captivating rock art. Embrace the call of adventure and witness a paradise where nature’s grandeur and history intertwine.
Jellyfish Lake
Embark on an unforgettable aquatic adventure at Jellyfish Lake, a marine wonder located on Eil Malk Island in Palau’s Rock Islands. As you dive into the crystal-clear waters, you’ll be greeted by millions of golden jellyfish migrating across the lake in a magical display of nature’s beauty. Don’t worry about getting stung, as these unique jellyfish have evolved without their stingers, making swimming with them a safe and awe-inspiring experience.
Jellyfish Lake is a 12,000-year-old relic of the last ice age, its isolation allowing the jellyfish species to develop independently and become a distinct subspecies found nowhere else in the world. Witness their fascinating migratory pattern, as they follow the sun’s path to stay in the sunlit seawater, creating mesmerizing “walls” of jellyfish on sunny days. This enchanting phenomenon showcases the lake’s unique ecosystem, where the jellyfish thrive on algae, rendering their stingers unnecessary.
Be one of the fortunate few to experience this extraordinary aquatic sanctuary and where every moment feels like a dreamlike journey surrounded by gentle, glowing creatures.
Ngardmau Falls
Visit to the captivating Ngardmau Falls, a treasure nestled in the heart of Babeldaob, beckoning adventurers to embrace its allure.
As Palau’s tallest waterfall, it cascades from the majestic 217-meter-high Mt Ngerchelchuus, creating an awe-inspiring sight worth every moment of the challenging 20-30 minute hike. The jungle path leads you through lush rainforest vegetation, immersing you in nature’s grandeur.
As you stand in awe of the 20-meter-high falls, the invigorating pool invites you to take a dip in the cool, crystal-clear waters. Shoes with grip are essential as the rocks can be slippery, but the exhilaration of swimming in the cool, pristine pool after the hike will leave you enchanted.
Milky Way Beach
Visit the Milky Way Beach, nestled amidst the enchanting rock islands of Palau, where a rejuvenating experience awaits you. Locals believe that bathing in the therapeutic white limestone mud found on the water’s floor will unveil a youthful glow, making you look ten years younger.
Milky Way is no ordinary lake; it’s a unique sea area surrounded by small islands, creating a surreal topographical illusion.
The azure waters blend with the white volcanic mud beneath, resembling a soft, milky hue. Not only is the Milky Way an oasis of beauty, but it’s also a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Immerse yourself in the soothing blue-green waters, where the volcanic mud creates an otherworldly ambiance.
Long Beach
Long Beach, nestled on Koror island, beckons you to a heavenly escape in the heart of Palau’s capital. Feel the soft, fine white sand beneath your feet as you step into the crystal-clear, warm waters that stretch endlessly before you.
During low tide, an enchanting sandbar emerges, offering a seemingly endless path to walk upon – a mesmerizing experience with waves gently crashing from both sides.
Bask in the beauty of paradise with turquoise to emerald-colored waters, swaying palm trees, and a sense of being out of this world. Just remember, time your visit for low tide to witness Long Beach’s awe-inspiring magic.
Blue Corner
Diving Palau isn’t complete without diving the world-famous dive site Blue Corner. A dive ranking amongst the best in the world. But what makes this dive site so special? Due to its location and formation Blue Corner very often gets strong currents – currents that attract lots of schooling fish feeding on smaller organisms traveling with the current.
This attracts big predators which are looking for schooling fish. On most days you’ll jump in the water, go down, drift towards the corner, and have hundreds of fish and sharks around you as you make your way to the plateau.
Once hooked in on the plateau taking cover from the current you can just “hang” and enjoy the scenery – the sheer richness of sea-life surrounding you. Many divers just visit Palau, despite the many attractions, for this fantastic and unique dive site.
Diving In Palau
With its remote location in the South Pacific, 500+ islands to explore, and rich marine life-filled waters, Palau is a diver’s dream destination. Dive enthusiasts are in for a treat as over 1400 species of fish, coral species, and pelagics create a vibrant underwater world. However, the fast-flowing currents and depths beyond Open Water Diver limits mean many top dive sites are restricted to Advanced Open Water Divers. Don’t miss out – arrive in Palau as an Advanced Open Water Diver or start your training there.
Are you ready to explore the wonders that lie beneath Palau’s azure waters? Here are seven of the best diving spots you won’t want to miss:
1. Blue Corner
A world-famous dive, Blue Corner impresses with its abundance of marine life and stunning reef. Experience the thrill of being passed by sharks, dolphins, turtles, and even migrating whales during this drift dive. With visibility reaching up to 40 meters (130 feet) at the right time, this site is a favorite among divers.
2. Peleliu Wall
Palau’s most impressive wall dive, Peleliu Wall, captivates with pelagic creatures and intricate sea fans and corals. Divers can spot sharks, turtles, groupers, and manta rays in this breathtaking environment.
3. German Channel
Underwater flying alongside manta rays awaits at the German Channel. The cleaning station at around 20 meters (65 feet) attracts these graceful creatures and gray reef sharks, with the population peaking from December to March.
4. Chandelier Cave
For unique underwater topography, explore the five chambers of Chandelier Cave, filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Fully trained divers can navigate this captivating cave system, which was once above sea level.
5. Ulong Channel
Strong currents and captivating coral formations await at Ulong Channel. Witness thousands of snappers and triggerfish spawning from April to July, and spot jackfish, stingrays, and gray reef sharks in other months.
6. Helmet Wreck
Discover Palau’s impressive wreck diving at Helmet Wreck, which offers a shallow exploration of a WW2 wreck, complete with ammunition, rifles, and helmets.
7. New Drop Off
Known for its clear and blue waters, New Drop Off rewards divers with encounters of gray reef sharks, turtles, and schools of fish. This site, located southeast of Blue Corner, is a diver’s delight.
Get ready to dive into this aquatic wonderland where vibrant marine life and stunning underwater landscapes await at every turn. Palau’s unparalleled beauty will leave you mesmerized and yearning for more.
