Palau

The "underwater wonderland": the stingless Jellyfish Lake, Milky Way lagoon and the Blue Corner dive site. The Rock Islands are a World Heritage Site, a top choice for diving and island lovers from China.

Palau lies at the western end of Micronesia in the western Pacific, about 800 km east of the Philippines. Made up of more than 340 islands with a population of only 18,000, it is one of the smallest countries in the world and a top diving and snorkeling destination, known as the "underwater wonderland."

The country's tourism center is Koror: almost all hotels, restaurants, dive shops and docks are on Koror Island and the connected islands of Malakal and Arakabesan. South of Koror, the Rock Islands are a maze of hundreds of mushroom-shaped limestone islands, listed in 2012 as the "Rock Islands Southern Lagoon" World Heritage Site for both natural and cultural values. Jellyfish Lake, the Milky Way, Long Beach, the Big Drop-off, Blue Corner and German Channel are all in these waters, and all are reached by speedboat day trips (usually split into a "Jellyfish Lake route," a "Blue Corner diving route" and a "Long Beach snorkeling route," going out 6–7 hours a day, lunch included). On Babeldaob, the large island to the north, are the National Capitol in the capital Melekeok, Ngardmau Falls and the Badrulchau stone monoliths, good for a land-based day trip. At the southern end, Peleliu was a fierce World War II battleground, with war relics and wilder dive sites.

The climate is tropical maritime, 27–32°C all year. The dry season from November to April is best, with calm seas and 30–40 m visibility; Christmas and Chinese New Year are peak season. The rainy season from May to October has frequent showers, and from July to October there are occasional effects from the outer edges of typhoons, but diving is possible all year and prices are lower.

Getting there: Palau International Airport (ROR) is at the southern end of the main island, a 20-minute drive from Koror. Direct flights come from Taipei, Manila, Guam, Seoul and Tokyo. There are no direct flights from mainland China, so most travelers transfer via Seoul, Manila or Taipei. There is no public transport on the islands; rely on hotel shuttles, chartered cars or rental cars (drive on the right). Chinese citizens can enter visa-free for 30 days (a valid passport and return ticket are required; the Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee (PPEF) of about US$100 is included in the airfare taxes). The currency is the US dollar, and English and Palauan are spoken.

Recommended stay: 4–6 days (3–4 days on the water).

Notes: before going out to sea, sign the "Palau Pledge" (stamped in your passport, promising to protect the environment). Sunscreen is prohibited in Jellyfish Lake, and chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone are banned nationwide, so use mineral sun protection. Taking away coral or shells, and scuba diving in Jellyfish Lake, are illegal. Dive sites such as Blue Corner and German Channel require an AOW certification or 30+ logged dives. If you get seasick, bring medication in advance. Prices are high (meals about US$15–30), so bring enough cash in case card machines fail. Medical resources are limited, so buy insurance that covers diving.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries