Things to do in Palau

Float among countless harmless jellyfish in this secluded marine lake on Eil Malk Island, a surreal snorkeling experience unique to Palau.

Paddle a kayak through a maze of mushroom-shaped limestone islands rising from turquoise water, a UNESCO World Heritage site of breathtaking beauty.

Descend to a steep wall where grey reef sharks, barracudas and eagle rays patrol amid powerful currents, one of the world's most thrilling drift dives.

Glide through the shallow, clear channel cut by German miners and witness graceful manta rays and green turtles feeding in the nutrient-rich currents.

Scoop up the famously silky limestone mud from the lagoon bottom and slather it on your skin for a natural spa treatment in a hidden cove.

Cruise out at dawn to see acrobatic spinner dolphins play in the boat's wake near this uninhabited island, an unforgettable marine spectacle.

Dive through the coral-encrusted wreck of a sunken Japanese transport ship, now home to schools of fish, in a haunting reminder of Pacific war.

Wander through a field of mysterious basalt pillars on Babeldaob, believed to be the foundation of an ancient meeting house dating back over 1,000 years.

Trek through the Ngardok Nature Reserve to reach this placid lake, home to endemic birds and a lush jungle backdrop, perfect for a peaceful swim.

Visit the windswept hill where U.S. and Japanese forces fought one of WWII’s fiercest battles, now dotted with rusting artillery and memorials.

See intricately carved wooden storyboards and rare traditional shell currency that reveal Palau's matrilineal society and rich oral traditions.

Spoon into a bowl of the iconic Palauan delicacy – a whole fruit bat simmered in coconut broth – at this long-standing local eatery in the heart of Koror.

Step into one of the oldest surviving men’s meeting houses, raised on stone platforms, to watch artisans practice coconut-leaf weaving passed down for generations.

Sit over the water and savour sashimi sliced from yellowfin tuna landed that morning, paired with a view of yachts bobbing in the marina.

Travel beyond the main archipelago to this remote coral atoll, where you can drift over crystal-clear water, colourful coral gardens and giant clams.

Drop into a giant underwater cavern whose ceiling has collapsed, creating shafts of sunlight that illuminate the deep blue chamber and curious trevally.

Drift dive along a wall covered in huge gorgonian fans and giant clams as the tidal flow pulls you through one of Palau’s most exhilarating passages.

Kneel on the sandy bottom at 15 metres while dozens of blacktip reef sharks circle curiously, offering a safe, adrenaline-charged encounter.

Mingle with vendors selling sweet mangoes, handwoven baskets and storyboards at this bustling daily market, the island’s true swap–shopping heart.

Pull up a stool at the open-air bar popular with divers, clink bottles as the sun slips into the sea, and watch the evening transfer into night.

Follow a jungle path alongside ancient volcanic rock to Palau’s tallest waterfall, where you can swim in the cool, fern-fringed basin beneath the cascade.

Cruise to the natural limestone arch that frames the sunset, a famous image of the Rock Islands and one of the archipelago’s most photogenic spots.

Paddle a kayak into this Ramsar-listed wetland to spot the rare rusty-capped kingfisher and other birds amid mangroves and lily-covered channels.

Swim into an air-filled cavern with stalactites hanging like chandeliers, where you can surface inside and breathe the humid, ancient atmosphere.

Float in warm, shallow water over a sheltered seagrass meadow where hawksbill and green turtles regularly feed, unbothered by human visitors.