The Pacific Island nation of Palau is famous for its excellent diving. The hundreds of small islands of Palau are home to unspoiled coral reefs and white sand beaches, tropical forests and mangroves, pristine lakes filled with jellyfish, as well as Second World War battlegrounds and waterfalls. Palau is also a great destination for activities such as sea kayaking, snorkeling and game fishing.
Tropical islands of Palau are located in Western Pacific Ocean in the region of Micronesia. Palau Islands belong to the archipelago of Carolines and the state of Palau consists of more than 300 islands. Populated by native Palauans and immigrants from the neighboring Philippines as well as elsewhere in Asia, Palau is one of the world’s youngest nations. It is divided into sixteen states that enjoy a large autonomy. The main islands of Palau are Babeldaob, Koror, Peleliu and Angaur. Ranked as one of the best underwater wonderlands in the world, Palau has become a popular diving and snorkeling destination.
The capital of Palau, Melekeok on the island of Babeldaob is a small place with less than 400 inhabitants, whereas the former capital Koror is the largest town in Palau and the best place to find accommodation, restaurants and shops. However, the island of Koror does not have sandy beaches or dive sites. The newest attraction in Palau, the Palau Aquarium is located at the Palau International Coral Reef Center. Koror also has two museums. Babeldaob is the largest island in Palau, offering nice trekking and kayaking in the mangrove lagoons of its coasts, whereas the remote Southwest islands including Sonsorol, Fana and Hatohobei offer places to visit far away from everything.
Traveling to Palau can be done by plane or by your own yacht.
Tropical islands of Palau are located in Western Pacific Ocean in the region of Micronesia. Palau Islands belong to the archipelago of Carolines and the state of Palau consists of more than 300 islands. Populated by native Palauans and immigrants from the neighboring Philippines as well as elsewhere in Asia, Palau is one of the world’s youngest nations. It is divided into sixteen states that enjoy a large autonomy. The main islands of Palau are Babeldaob, Koror, Peleliu and Angaur. Ranked as one of the best underwater wonderlands in the world, Palau has become a popular diving and snorkeling destination.
Sights and activities in Palau: diving, kayaking, fishing and trekking
Most foreign visitors come to Palau to scuba dive and snorkel in the islands' clear waters and rich marine environment full of underwater attractions. Diving in Palau has ranked among the best in the world, and there is a wide range of excellent dive sites in Palau. The popular attractions in Palau include also the Rock Islands south of Koror, the Floating Garden Islands to the west of Koror and the famous Jellyfish Lakes, all popular for snorkeling in Palau. The Second World War battleground on the island of Peleliu is a popular historic site to visit. The mostly uninhabited Rock Islands between Koror and Peleliu are famous for their great beaches, blue lagoons and lakes, and contain many of the best dive sites in Palau. They are also a popular place for kayaking in Palau. Other activities in Palau include fishing, trekking, sailing and visiting local cultural centers.The capital of Palau, Melekeok on the island of Babeldaob is a small place with less than 400 inhabitants, whereas the former capital Koror is the largest town in Palau and the best place to find accommodation, restaurants and shops. However, the island of Koror does not have sandy beaches or dive sites. The newest attraction in Palau, the Palau Aquarium is located at the Palau International Coral Reef Center. Koror also has two museums. Babeldaob is the largest island in Palau, offering nice trekking and kayaking in the mangrove lagoons of its coasts, whereas the remote Southwest islands including Sonsorol, Fana and Hatohobei offer places to visit far away from everything.
Palau travel information and practical tips
Palau has a hot and humid tropical climate that has very constant temperatures around the year. There is a wet season in Palau approximately from May to November, but rainfall occurs throughout the year and so does sunshine. Palau is located outside the typhoon zone in Western Pacific Ocean, so although typhoons hit the nearby Philippines regularly, they are very rare in Palau.Traveling to Palau can be done by plane or by your own yacht.
Photo: Jenny Huang, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
There is an international airport in Koror, receiving flights to Palau from the nearby Guam that offers good flight connections from the US, or from Manila in the Philippines. You can also travel to Palau by a private yacht, but it is quite a long way. Once in Palau, there are several transport options. There are local boat transports available, and taxis are abundant on the main island of Koror. Helicopters can also be chartered. Many local tour operators provide boat transportation to the popular Rock Islands. Car rental in Palau is available in Koror. The remote island groups in Southwest Palau can be reached by a supply boat or by your own yacht.
Services & safety. You can find a good variety of hotels in Palau from high quality dive resorts to beach bungalows and cheap motels. Restaurants in Palau can be found in the main town Koror and within the resort hotels. A few bars are also available, but Palau is not really a place with abundant nightlife. English is an official language in Palau, and all local people can speak it. Palau is a safe country to visit with very little crime to worry about.
Short history of Palau
Palau was inhabited between 2500 BC and 1000 BC. The local people, who are usually considered Micronesian, developed a matrilinear society and lived on subsistence farming and fishing. The Spanish explorers arrived in Palau during the late 1500s and claimed all the Caroline Islands to Spain. Spain did not develop the islands and later sold them to Germany. Germans developed mining in Palau but lost the islands to Japan after the First World War. The Japanese expanded the mining and settling of the islands. During the Second World War, Palau witnessed intense fighting between the Japanese and Americans.After the WWII, The United Nations gave Palau to the USA to be administered as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In 1979, Palauan people voted for independence in a free association with the USA and against joining the Federated States of Micronesia. After a period of transition in the 1980s, Palau became officially independent in 1994.
