Scattered across Oceania’s remote western Pacific, Palau is an archipelago of more than 300 jungle-clad islands where life revolves around the sea. Its UNESCO-listed Rock Islands are a maze of limestone outcrops, hidden, emerald lagoons and mangrove channels — made for kayaking, snorkelling and slow exploration by boat. Proper Robinson Crusoe stuff.
But it’s what lies beneath the surface that really sets Palau apart. At Ngemelis Island’s legendary drop-offs — often dubbed the ‘Underwater Serengeti’ — you’ll sail past reef sharks, turtles, kaleidoscopic corals and swirling schools of fish on exhilarating blue-water currents.
Add in ample chance for conservation, unique, natural wonders, and the chance to do underwater ballet with majestic mantas, and you’ve got a completely unique destination that blends bucket-list adventure with genuine environmental stewardship. So, without further ado, here’s a rundown of the very best things to do in Palau:
Glide with golden jellyfish
Floating in surreal Jellyfish Lake is one of those rare, only-in-Palau experiences. Cut off from the Pacific Ocean thousands of years ago, this sheltered and tranquil spot is now home to clouds of stingless golden jellyfish that pulse gently through the water, moving with the sunlight. Snorkel slowly and you’ll find yourself suspended in a silent, sun-dappled world unlike anywhere else on the planet.
Drift past sharks, turtles and more
Ngemelis Island’s sheer drop-offs are the stuff of legend — known as the ‘Underwater Serengeti’ — and shows Palau at its wildest. Strong, clear currents sweep you along vertical coral walls where grey reef sharks and eagle rays cruise, turtles glide and vast schools of snapper and barracuda flash in formation out in the deep blue. Whether you snorkel the shallows or dive down into the deeper depths — scuba tank attached of course — it’s exhilarating, effortless and teeming with life.
Grow giants on the reef
On uninhabited Ulong Island, conservation gets practical. After snorkelling beneath the coral-encrusted Ulong Arch, help place young, farmed giant clams onto the reef to restore native populations. These gargantuan shellfish — which can grow to 1.4 metres (4+ ft) and weigh 250 kilograms (550 lbs) — filter water and create habitats for other species — so planting one is more than symbolic. It’s a hands-on way to support Palau’s fiercely-protected marine sanctuary.
Get to grips with marine conservation
Continuing with the conservation theme, a visit to the Coral Reef Research Foundation brings science into sharp focus. Founded back in 1991, the CRRF monitors reef health, studies climate impacts and even researches medicinal compounds in marine invertebrates like snails and tube worms. Meeting a resident researcher adds context to every snorkel — this is a nation protecting its waters with data as well as passion. Seeing the practical side of conservation firsthand makes you feel part of Palau’s ongoing effort to safeguard its marine treasures.
Swim with majestic manta rays
German Channel — a man-made cut through the reef — is solid manta territory. Nutrient-rich currents draw filter feeders to cleaning stations where mantas circle slowly while wrasse go to work, cleaning parasites off these magnificent behemoths of the deep. Hover at a respectful distance and watch as their vast, winged silhouettes glide through open water. It’s calm, humbling and utterly spellbinding. Seeing multiple mantas in a single dive or snorkel here is a common occurrence is — and something that never fails to inspire awe.
Dive into history on a sunken WWII wreck
Beneath Palau’s calm lagoons lie haunting relics of World War II — a real-life underwater museum. A Japanese zero fighter plane, shipwrecks and scattered artefacts rest in clear, shallow water here, now draped in colourful corals and patrolled by reef fish, moray eels, starfish, and more. Snorkelling or diving these sites is equal parts history lesson and marine safari — a vivid reminder of how nature will always reclaim and renew.
Soak in the mud of the ‘Milky Way’
In a secluded lagoon aptly-known as the ‘Milky Way’, boats drop anchor over pale turquoise water hiding fine white limestone mud. Scoop it up, slather it on and let it dry in the hot sun before rinsing off in the shallows. Equal parts spa treatment and silliness, it’s a light-hearted counterpoint to the high-octane reef action. The mineral-rich and therapeutic mud leaves skin soft, soothed, and glowing — and the experience itself is something else utterly unique to Palau.
Immerse yourself in Airai Bai’s traditional culture
Get an insight into Palau’s past at sacred Airai Bai, the country’s oldest surviving men’s meeting house. More than a century old, this 21-metre-long (69 ft) wooden structure rises steeply to a 12-metre-peak (39 ft) built from local timber and thatch atop a stone platform. Inside and out, painted panels depict legendary scenes and symbolic motifs — including delerrok, the mythical money bird said to bring good fortune. Visit with a local community group and you’ll experience both traditional dancing and singing — and learn it’s actually the senior women who choose the chiefs here, quietly holding the real power.
Hike to Ngardmau Falls
On Babeldaob, Palau’s largest island, a jungle trail leads to the roaring Ngardmau Falls — the tallest waterfall in Micronesia standing at a whopping 30-metres-tall (100 ft). The walk takes you through thick forest and across small streams before revealing a curtain of water plunging into a cool, swimmable pool — the perfect reward post-trek. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the ocean and a reminder that Palau’s wild side isn’t only underwater.
Paddle through wild mangroves
Kayak into Long Lake, Palau’s largest, or Risong Bay and the mood shifts instantly. Mangrove roots tangle into the shallows, juvenile fish and baby reef sharks flicker beneath the surface, and endemic birds call from the canopy. These calm nurseries underpin the health of the outer reefs — and exploring them quietly by paddle reveals Palau at its most serene. Remote and cut off from the world, it feels like you’re gliding through a hidden labyrinth for the first time, discovering a secret corner of the islands no one else has touched. Well, expect from the occasional monitor lizard or land crab of course.
Find endemic feathered friends
Listen up, twitchers! Ngermeskang Bird Sanctuary in Ngeremlengui is a hidden haven for bird lovers and anyone craving quiet immersion in nature. Paddle, hike, or wander through the undeveloped forest and swamps and you might spot some of Palau’s tweeting endemic treasures — from the striking Micronesian imperial pigeon and the shy Palau ground dove to the vibrant Palau kingfisher and the morning bird, tutau. The country has 12 species here found nowhere else in the world — so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled towards the tree canopy.
Hear Palau’s stories from the elders
Time ashore here only adds depth to the adventure. In Koror, explore the Belau National Museum and the Etpison Museum to understand Palau’s ancient clan systems, traditional governance and Moana seafaring heritage before heading out to the Rock Islands. Walk through the site of an ancient village on Ulong and learn how communities once thrived here. Palau’s conservation ethic isn’t new — it’s rooted in generations of stewardship, passed down through story, custom and practice.
Slow it down in Koror
Koror may be the gateway to the country’s many adventures, but it’s worth lingering for a day or two here. Sip an ice-cold Red Rooster beer — brewed only in Palau using pure, tropical rain — tuck into fresh tuna or taro at a waterfront restaurant with panoramic views, or simply relax by the lagoon as the sun sets and the moon rises. After days of salt and sun, it’s the perfect place to reset, recharge, and soak up the gentle rhythm of island life before heading back out to sea.
Experience the highlights of Palau on: Signature: Palau’s Rock Islands & Underwater Serengeti
