Palau Travel Guide | Everything You Need to Know About this Pristine Paradise

Where is Palau?

Palau is made up of over 300 limestone and volcanic islands located in the Micronesia region of the western Pacific Ocean. This unspoiled archipelago is neighboured by Guam in the northeast, Papua New Guinea in the south and the Philippines in the west.

Most visitors to Palau base themselves near the largest city of Koror, which is where you’ll find most of the country’s hotels, restaurants, shops and tour operators.

How to get to Palau

Keep in mind that only a few airlines operate flights to Palau International Airport. The quickest option for Australians is with Air Niugini, who fly weekly from Brisbane to Palau on Tuesday, with a two-hour stopover in Port Moresby. Trust that the eight-hour journey is well worthwhile – upon arrival in Palau, you’ll instantly be greeted by a warm tropical climate, relaxed island atmosphere and friendly locals.

When to go to Palau

Thanks to its proximity to the equator, Palau enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, with an annual average temperature of around 30°C. The best time to visit Palau is during the dry season between December and April when scuba diving conditions are at their very best.

However, it is still possible to visit Palau during the wet season from May to November, since the country does not experience typhoons. Just be prepared for the possibility of a little rain!

Snorkel and scuba dive

Snorkelling and scuba diving are by far the most popular things to do in Palau. This destination is home to an immense diversity of marine wildlife, including over 500 coral species, 17 thriving species of shark and at least 1300 species of reef fish – it’s no wonder Palau is known as the ‘underwater Serengeti’! Palau boasts over 50 named dive sites, including several seaplane ruins and shipwrecks from World War II, and you’ll find countless dive operators in the tourism hub of Koror.

Explore the Rock Islands

The Rock Islands are one of the best spots for kayaking, snorkelling and diving in Palau. Like something out of a postcard, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is comprised of dozens of mushroom-shaped limestone islands scattered across a 32-kilometre stretch of vibrant turquoise lagoon. Key attractions within the Rock Islands include the Milky Way Lagoon, where visitors bathe in white limestone mud that’s said to have healing properties. There’s also Jellyfish Lake, where you can swim with millions of (non-stinging) jellyfish.

Hike to Ngardmau Falls

Palau is also home to several inland treasures, like Ngardmau Falls. Flowing from the 217-metre-high Mt Ngerchelchuus, this is the tallest waterfall in Micronesia. Legend says that Ngardmau Waterfall is actually the head of a giant spirit eel whose body, after falling into a deep slumber, evolved into the river. This waterfall can be reached via a 30-metre hike along a jungle path – a dip in the cool swimming hole at the base of the falls is the perfect reward.