🇵🇼Palau·Oceania
Palau
The world's best diving destination
dest.flightsFrom
£1099
dest.hotelsFrom
£90/per night
dest.budgetPerDay
£150
dest.avgTemp
27°C
dest.bestTime
October to May
dest.safety
8.8/10
dest.about Palau
Palau is the world's premier diving destination — an archipelago of 500 islands in the western Pacific where the marine biodiversity is extraordinary. The Jellyfish Lake, the Blue Corner wall dive, and the WWII wrecks of Chuuk Lagoon make Palau a bucket-list destination for divers, while the Rock Islands' emerald mushroom-shaped islets are among the Pacific's most beautiful landscapes.
dest.topHighlights
Jellyfish Lake
Swim among millions of harmless golden jellyfish in a landlocked marine lake — one of the world's most unique wildlife experiences
Blue Corner
Consistently rated the world's best dive site — a dramatic wall dive with sharks, manta rays, and extraordinary current diving
Rock Islands
UNESCO World Heritage mushroom-shaped limestone islands covered in jungle — a kayaking paradise of hidden lagoons
WWII Wrecks
Over 60 Japanese WWII shipwrecks and aircraft in Palau's waters — some of the world's most atmospheric wreck dives
Ngardmau Waterfall
Palau's largest waterfall — a jungle hike through the interior to a dramatic cascade
Manta Rays
German Channel is one of the world's most reliable manta ray cleaning stations — encounters virtually guaranteed
dest.thingsToDo Palau
- Swim with the golden jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake
- Dive Blue Corner — the world's most famous dive site
- Kayak through the Rock Islands' hidden lagoons
- Dive the WWII Japanese shipwrecks
- Snorkel with manta rays at German Channel
- Hike to Ngardmau Waterfall through the jungle
- Night dive for nautilus shells — unique to Palau
- Visit Peleliu Island for WWII history and pristine beaches
dest.weather Palau
dest.bestMonthsToVisit October to May
5-dest.day Palau dest.itinerary
Koror Arrival
- ·Arrive at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport
- ·Check in to dive resort in Koror
- ·Afternoon snorkel at a local reef
- ·Dive briefing and equipment check
Blue Corner & Jellyfish Lake
- ·Morning dive at Blue Corner (sharks and current)
- ·Afternoon swim in Jellyfish Lake
- ·Rock Islands boat tour
- ·Sunset at Milky Way lagoon
WWII Wrecks
- ·Dive the Iro Maru Japanese tanker wreck
- ·Dive the Helmet Wreck
- ·Afternoon kayaking in the Rock Islands
- ·Night dive for nautilus
Manta Rays & Peleliu
- ·Morning dive at German Channel for manta rays
- ·Boat to Peleliu Island
- ·WWII battlefield tour
- ·Peleliu beach and snorkelling
Last Dive & Departure
- ·Final morning dive
- ·Ngardmau Waterfall hike
- ·Last lunch in Koror
- ·Transfer to Roman Tmetuchl International Airport
dest.whereToEat Palau
Drop Off Bar & Grill
International · Koror · $$
Elilai Restaurant
Palauan-Asian · Koror · $$$
Kramer's Pub
American · Koror · $$
Carp Island Resort Restaurant
Pacific · Carp Island · $$
dest.practicalInformation
dest.visaRequirements
Visa-free for UK, US, EU, and Australian passport holders for up to 30 days. A Palau Responsible Tourism Education Pledge (PRTEP) fee of USD 100 is required on arrival — this funds conservation.
dest.gettingAround
Most dive operators and resorts are based in Koror. Boat trips to the Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake, and dive sites are arranged through dive operators. Taxis available in Koror. Car rental for the main island.
dest.currency
USD (US Dollar)
dest.timezoneLanguage
GMT+9 · Palauan, English
dest.frequentlyAskedQuestions
Do I need to be a diver to enjoy Palau?
Palau is primarily a diving destination but non-divers can still have an extraordinary experience. Jellyfish Lake is accessible to snorkellers. The Rock Islands are spectacular by kayak. The beaches and WWII history are fascinating. However, if you dive, Palau is unmissable.
How do I get to Palau?
Fly via Manila (Philippine Airlines), Tokyo (United Airlines), or Taipei (China Airlines). From London, the journey takes approximately 20 hours. United Airlines operates the only direct service from the US (Guam). Book well in advance — flights are limited.
When is the best time to dive in Palau?
October to May is the best time for diving — calmer seas and excellent visibility (30m+). June to September is typhoon season with rougher conditions. Jellyfish Lake is open year-round (jellyfish numbers vary seasonally). Manta rays are present year-round.
Is Palau expensive?
Palau is moderately expensive — accommodation and dive packages are the main costs. A liveaboard dive trip (the best way to see Palau's dive sites) costs €200-350/day. Land-based diving is cheaper. The USD 100 conservation fee is required on arrival.
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