7 Days in Palau: Micronesian Underwater Paradise
Palau is a once-in-a-lifetime dive destination hidden in Micronesia: the Rock Islands UNESCO site shelters world-class coral walls, Jellyfish Lake offers a surreal encounter with golden jellyfish, and the archipelago's remoteness means the reefs have escaped mass tourism. This is for serious water lovers.
What to expect
- Dive the vertical Blue Corner wall with sharks, trevally and pristine plate corals.
- Swim among millions of stingless golden jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake.
- Kayak through mangrove-lined lagoons and limestone islands (Rock Islands).
- Snorkel Peleliu Corner and Ngemelis Drop with rays and grouper.
- Explore the wreck of the USS Peleliu, a cold-war minesweeper.
- Island-hop to Angaur and Babeldaob for WWII history and waterfalls.
Day by day
Arrive Roman Tmetuchl International Airport; transfer to boutique resort in Koror.
Orientation dive at German Channel (shallow, calm, excellent macro and fish life).
Dinner at Parrotfish restaurant; sunset from Koror dock.
Two-tank dive: Blue Corner (strong current, sharks, trevally) and Peleliu Corner (rays, grouper).
Rest; visit Palau National Museum to understand island history and WWII.
Traditional Palauan dinner (taro, fish, coconut rice).
Early boat to Jellyfish Lake (45 min); swim among golden jellyfish for 90 minutes.
Kayak through limestone channels and hidden lagoons of the Rock Islands.
Snorkel at sunset near Koror; night rest.
Dive the USS Peleliu wreck (40m, experienced divers only) and nearby coral bommies.
Beach time on Ngeruktabel Island; lunch of grilled snapper and fresh fruit.
Casual dinner and dive briefing for next day.
Two-tank dive: Ngemelis Drop (wall diving, hammerheads, big grouper) and New Drop (pristine coral table).
Spa treatment at resort or beach rest.
Sunset drinks at Elilai Restaurant with views of mangrove islands.
Speed-boat to Angaur (1 hour); visit WWII gun emplacement and Japanese memorial.
Snorkel Angaur's reef; lunch on Peleliu (historic WWII airstrip visible).
Return to Koror; farewell dinner at Elilai or Fusion restaurant.
Last snorkel at a muck-diving site (macro photography opportunity: nudibranch, seahorse, cuttlefish).
Last-minute souvenir shopping; transfer to airport.
Depart for onward flight.
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