Palau's Rock Islands, over 300 mushroom-shaped limestone formations rising from turquoise lagoon water, form a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most photographed landscapes in the Pacific, the archipelago's isolation and protected marine environment have also made it a globally recognised diving destination, and home to Jellyfish Lake, where millions of jellyfish have evolved to lose their sting entirely.
The Rock Islands
Boat tours through the Rock Islands' maze of limestone formations reveal hidden lagoons, secluded beaches, and snorkelling spots accessible only by water, the Milky Way lagoon, whose seabed mud is said to have skincare benefits, has become a popular, if slightly touristy, stop on standard tours.
Jellyfish Lake, on Eil Malk island, allows swimmers to snorkel among millions of golden jellyfish that lost their ability to sting significantly after becoming isolated from predators over thousands of years, a genuinely surreal, gentle experience found in only a handful of places worldwide.
World-Class Diving
Blue Corner, one of Palau's most famous dive sites, is known for strong currents that attract large pelagic species (sharks, manta rays, and schools of barracuda) making it a consistent favourite among experienced divers on global 'best dive site' rankings.
German Channel, a man-made channel dating to the German colonial period, has become a natural manta ray cleaning station, offering some of the most reliable manta ray encounters anywhere in the world, particularly during the winter months.
Recommended Stay · Palau · Koror
Palau Pacific Resort
A beachfront resort on its own private cove near Koror, with an on-site dive centre offering direct trips out to the Rock Islands and Blue Corner.
