Palau (Belau) is a group of islands in the Micronesia area of Oceania, to the southeast of the Philippines.
After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. Palau officially became independent on 1 Oct 1994.
the largest Island, with a population of roughly 6,000 people, also Babelthuap, Babelthwap, Babeldoub, Babeldaub, etc.
Visitors can take United Airlines' daily flights from Guam (c. $600), which has connections to Japan and the United States, as well as from Manila, Philippines.
Delta Air Lines launched daily service to (ROR) from Tokyo-Narita (NRT) on December 2010 with connections on to many destinations throughout Asia as well as to its hub cities in the US (including Hawaii).
Asiana Airlines currently operates regularly scheduled flights from Seoul's Incheon airport.
There are also chartered flights direct from Taipei, South Korea, and Japan on a variety of operators.
The airport is small and has few facilities, and it might happen that no taxis are available on arrival. The best option is to book in advance local transportation with your hotel, otherwise you should call taxi from downtown to pick you up. There are some car rental booths, but they might be closed on weekend. Again, if you need to rent a car, is better to book in advance.
Bull Shark
Palau is most famous for scuba diving.
One of the most famous dive sites - Blue Corner, with constant sharks
and a high current - is located less than 1 hour's boat ride from most
resorts. Many live aboards like Ocean Hunter operate out of Palau. There
are also tours to WWII battle fields on Palau.
The Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel and Blue Holes are all amazing dive sites. You can dive the same site again and again and have completely different experiences each time.
Palau is also famous for its jellyfish lakes. These lakes contain jellyfish which have evolved away their stingers in the absence of predators. There are many tours which will go to the jellyfish lake to snorkel. SCUBA diving is not permitted, nor is necessary, in the jellyfish lake. Palau Jellyfish Lake is included in the category of natural phenomena and scientific mysteries. Aside from the cost of the tour (around $100), there is $100 permit for the jellyfish lake which is valid for ten days.
Long Island Park offers a mildly interesting snorkeling area. It's located just south of the two bridges that connect Koror and Malakal. From Koror, cross the first bridge and then turn left.
Icebox Park, at the southern tip of Malakal, offers a nice view. However, swimming is not advised as it is immediately adjacent to a wastewater outlet (clearly visible at low tide).
Nikko Bay is a great place for kayaking and snorkeling. A good place to launch your kayak is Ngermid Boat Pier. Head a few hundred meters south from the pier and you will see a floating wooden dock, under which lives a huge Napoleon fish. Snorkeling around the islets to the immediate west of the dock is quite impressive.
IMPAC, short for Imperial Palau Corporation provides day tours to Rock Islands including jellyfish tour and kayaking tours.
The constitution prohibits private ownership of firearms. Mere possession of bullets (used as a necklace or amulet by some) is punishable by law.
After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. Palau officially became independent on 1 Oct 1994.
Climate
Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82°F (28°C). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone.Regions
Babeldaob (Melekeok)the largest Island, with a population of roughly 6,000 people, also Babelthuap, Babelthwap, Babeldoub, Babeldaub, etc.
|
Koror home of the largest city of the same name |
| Rock Islands made up of almost 300 mostly uninhabited islands, home to Jellyfish Lake, a lake with millions of jellyfish with very weak stingers where snorkelers can safely swim. |
| Peleliu about 700 people live here, mostly in the village of Kloulklubed |
| Angaur remote southern outpost with about 200 inhabitants, site of a major WWII naval battle and a modern day surfing destination of some repute |
| Sonsorol Islands consists of Sonsorol and Hatohobei states, these islands are home to about 100 people way to the southwest of the rest of Palau. |
Cities
- Melekeok - is the new capital with a population of just 381 (!) This is on the island of Babeldaob and is a pleasant drive from Koror along the new road constructed by Daewoo. Head out over the bridge and the road to Melekeok is clearly signposted.
- Koror - the largest city and former capital. Koror contains Palau's only real concentration of shops, restaurants, and hotels. Many of the largest dive operators are also based here.
Get in
US citizens do not require a visa, and nearly all other visitors can receive a free 30-day tourism visa on arrival. For the latest information, contact the Palau Embassy in your country. Most travellers arrive by air from Guam, Korea, Japan, Taiwan (Taipei) or the Philippines (Manila). Visitors must have a current passport, and a return airline ticket to travel to Palau.By plane
The only realistic choice. There is only one airport, Airai (ROR), on Babeldaob.Visitors can take United Airlines' daily flights from Guam (c. $600), which has connections to Japan and the United States, as well as from Manila, Philippines.
Delta Air Lines launched daily service to (ROR) from Tokyo-Narita (NRT) on December 2010 with connections on to many destinations throughout Asia as well as to its hub cities in the US (including Hawaii).
Asiana Airlines currently operates regularly scheduled flights from Seoul's Incheon airport.
There are also chartered flights direct from Taipei, South Korea, and Japan on a variety of operators.
The airport is small and has few facilities, and it might happen that no taxis are available on arrival. The best option is to book in advance local transportation with your hotel, otherwise you should call taxi from downtown to pick you up. There are some car rental booths, but they might be closed on weekend. Again, if you need to rent a car, is better to book in advance.
By boat
Possible but not very easy.Get around
Taxi and rented car. Lots of local taxis. If you rent a car, be prepared to drive slowly on some bumpy roads. Both left and right hand drive cars are present in Palau, which can cause some confusion. If you drive south, to Ice Box Park, please note that the facility behind it is a sewage treatment plant. Any other diving will be from a boat, after an hour or more ride and cost around $150 for a two tank dive. There are no dive spots or beaches on the main island - Koror. The road north was recently paved and is very nice... once you get past the airport.Do
The Blue Corner, German Channel, Ulong Channel and Blue Holes are all amazing dive sites. You can dive the same site again and again and have completely different experiences each time.
Palau is also famous for its jellyfish lakes. These lakes contain jellyfish which have evolved away their stingers in the absence of predators. There are many tours which will go to the jellyfish lake to snorkel. SCUBA diving is not permitted, nor is necessary, in the jellyfish lake. Palau Jellyfish Lake is included in the category of natural phenomena and scientific mysteries. Aside from the cost of the tour (around $100), there is $100 permit for the jellyfish lake which is valid for ten days.
Long Island Park offers a mildly interesting snorkeling area. It's located just south of the two bridges that connect Koror and Malakal. From Koror, cross the first bridge and then turn left.
Icebox Park, at the southern tip of Malakal, offers a nice view. However, swimming is not advised as it is immediately adjacent to a wastewater outlet (clearly visible at low tide).
Nikko Bay is a great place for kayaking and snorkeling. A good place to launch your kayak is Ngermid Boat Pier. Head a few hundred meters south from the pier and you will see a floating wooden dock, under which lives a huge Napoleon fish. Snorkeling around the islets to the immediate west of the dock is quite impressive.
IMPAC, short for Imperial Palau Corporation provides day tours to Rock Islands including jellyfish tour and kayaking tours.
- Splash, the dive shop attached to the Palau Pacific Resort is recommended. The equipment available for rental is of high quality, and either new or well maintained. The dive masters are also very experienced, responsible and know the dive sites very well. Angelo at Splash is highly recommended as a dive master especially if you have not dived in stronger currents. It should be noted that Splash runs a rather large, wide diveboat, containing 20+ divers.
- Sam's Tours is another dive shop in Palau that offers diving, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing and land tours. They have some great guides that provide educational and environmental information about the locales. Sam's Tours uses small, fast narrow boats which carry 4~8 divers. price.
- Palau Dive & Scuba, . Small, personable service that brings together all the information on dive sites, conditions and dive centers for Palau.
- Sara Guide Service, ☎ 488 6856, . Environmentally responsible professional sports fishing guides in Koror. They have experienced Palaun boat captains and Japanese and Western guides that make you feel welcome. Catch and release fish and have a great time! Great food too on their 8 and 10m boats.
- Palau Dive Adventures, ☎ 888-334-3483 (DIVE), . is located on the premises of the popular Sea Passion Hotel. Palau Dive Adventures dive shop runs tailored group trips (8-10 divers)on a weekly (M-F) basis. Divers dive all week from the same boat, with the same group and dive guide. At night they stay in comfortable,land-based accomodations. The entire week's dive site itinerary is tailored to the desires of the guests and the staff at Palau Dive Adventures works with the groups to ensure maximum time on the water by day and comfort on land at night. Palau Dive Adventures supplies Nitrox EAN 32 and will accomodate special dive needs and requests
See
- Palau International Coral Reef Center,. Very educational aquarium with a good souvenir shop. Emphasis of displays is on education. They include a topographical map of Palau; a recreation of a mangrove swamp, a seagrass aquarium; an inner reef aquarium; an exhibition of coral and another of the country's famed jellyfish; deep-water aquariums and a couple of salt-water crocodiles to end the tour. Easy walk from downtown Koror in the direction of Malakal
- Etpison Museum, Main Road, Koror, Palau (on the right side of the road coming from the airport going to Koror), . Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm. The museum is dedicated to the late Palau President Ngiratkel Etpison (1989-1993). The 3-story building houses 2 floors of Palauan and Micronesian artifacts, displays, photography and information. The top floor has restrooms, more displays, and a large gift shop selling art, jewelry, books and souvenirs. It also doubles as the French Consulate office in Palau. $10 (tourists)
Stay safe
Palau is quite a safe country to visit. Walking in downtown Koror at night, even past midnight is quite safe. But as with any place in the world today, common sense prevails. Pedestrians should be careful, as sidewalks are limited even in downtown Koror.The constitution prohibits private ownership of firearms. Mere possession of bullets (used as a necklace or amulet by some) is punishable by law.
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