Jellyfish Lake

Ongeim'l Tketau

A saltwater lake on Eil Malk Island where millions of golden jellyfish that have lost their sting drift with the sun. Swimming among them is a one-of-a-kind Palau experience, and snorkeling is the only way to enjoy it.

Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau in Palauan) lies inland on Eil Malk Island, about 25 kilometers south of Koror. Around 12,000 years ago it was cut off from the ocean and became a saltwater lake. The golden jellyfish here (Mastigias papua etpisoni, a Palau-endemic subspecies) have lost nearly all their sting over time, since they have no natural predators. They rely on symbiotic algae in their bodies for photosynthesis and migrate daily following the sun from east to west. At peak times, millions fill the lake. Snorkeling among the swarm feels like floating inside a golden snow globe. In 2016, an El Niño heat wave nearly wiped out the jellyfish, and the lake closed for almost two years. It reopened in 2019, and the population has recovered to the millions. Access: Join a boat tour that takes a speedboat to the island's pier. From there, walk for about 15 minutes over a limestone ridge on a trail with steps and ropes, to the lakeside platform where you enter the water. Snorkeling lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. The jellyfish gather on the sunlit side in the center of the lake. Only snorkeling is allowed. Scuba diving is prohibited, since below 15 meters lies a toxic hydrogen sulfide layer. Do not kick or touch the jellyfish with your fins. Sunscreen and any cosmetics are forbidden, and staff check before you enter the water. Move the water gently with your hands only. Fees: You need a Koror State Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake permit, costing $100 and valid for 10 days. Most boat tours, at about $100 to $150 per day, combine Jellyfish Lake with Milky Way, Long Beach, and snorkeling spots in a single day. Transport: Access is only possible by boat through a licensed travel agency. Notes: Wear a jellyfish suit or long-sleeved swimwear for sun protection, not sunscreen, on the boat or at the pier. Non-swimmers may wear life jackets to float. The surface water is about 30°C and calm. Wear water shoes, since the ridge trail is slippery. The lake may temporarily close in some years due to jellyfish population changes, so check before you go.

Jellyfish Lake

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