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Step 59/60: Palau - Palau Islands

Palau Islands photo by Jantine De jong
Palau is an island group in the middle of nowhere (2 hours east of the Philippines) and part of Micronesia. It's owned by the United States. It has about 20.000 inhabitants on just 4 of the 340 islands. Palau is most famous for the Rock Islands, a group of islands....including the Milky Way and Jellyfish Lake. Its also known for wreck diving. It's known to be one of the best diving spots in the world. and the Japanese planes that crashed in the jungle during World War II.
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How I got here ?

Price: 580 $

Traveling time: 2 hours

Price: round-trip, time: one- way. Continental Airlines is the only airline that flies here. Prices are always pretty much the same.

Tips & Tricks

  • Take a tour that includes the Rock Islands, Milky Way and Jellyfish Lake. $135,-
  • You can be dropped off at an Island and play Robinson Crusoe for a few days.

Things to see

Rock Island Tour 8 /10
100 $
Rock Island Tour photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Palau is most famous for this archipelago of small islands and islets called 'the Rock Islands'. The tour includes food, drinks and snorkeling gear, a boat ride through the islands, a few snorkeling-stops, kayaking through the mangroves, a 'limestone rub' and swimming in the Milky Way and Jelly-fish Lake. This is the most full-fledged package they offer.
Kayaking, Rock Islands 8 /10
- $
Kayaking, Rock Islands photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Jantine hasn't written a description yet.
Milky Way, Rock Islands 8 /10
- $
Milky Way, Rock Islands photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Jantine hasn't written a description yet.
Jellyfish Lake, Rock Islands 10 /10
- €
Jellyfish Lake, Rock Islands photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
My favorite place in the world!!! This secluded lake is inhabited by about 21 million jellyfish. Because they have no predators they lost their sting over time. It is safe to jump in and see these wonderful creatures up close and personal. They are beautiful and incredibly soft! Don't be too rough, they are pretty fragile. Don't dive too deep either, since the water is very acidic on the bottom. Permit $35.
Driving around Babeldoab 7 /10
40 $
Driving around Babeldoab photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Renting a car is nice for a day ($40). Drive around Babeldoab, where there's still 'jungle' to be found. Watch out for the small 'red-dirt' roads! Easily to get your car stuck in the silt mud!! There are also waterfalls you can visit. I didn't see them, since it was raining season and I was alone. It wasn't wise going through the jungle by myself in case of a high risk I would slip and fall.
Melekeok State Offices, Babeldoab 0 /10
- $
Melekeok State Offices, Babeldoab photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
In the middle of nowhere all of the sudden this huge new, but old-fashioned American style, building pops up!
Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, Babeldoab 6 /10
5 €
Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, Babeldoab photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
37 Basalt monoliths. One legend tells the story of the stones being put here by the gods to support one big Bai (a Men's House) that could hold a thousand people. Said to be the same as on Easter Island, although not one face to be found... Ask the 'keeper' at the entrance all your questions and he'll be able to tell you great stories and legends. $5 entrance 'fee'...they call it 'a permit'...
National Museum, Koror 0 /10
- €
National Museum, Koror photo by Jantine De jong

User's opinion
Jantine hasn't written a description yet.

Practical

Waterfront villa 7/10
Price 64 $
Address

Main Street, Koror Island.
Koror

User's opinion:

Nice hotel, nice rooms, good breakfast, pool! But the owner (lady) is horrible! She wanted my credit card data over the phone (no way!) and then almost let me stay outside at 3am when I arrived!


Breakfast Included Air Conditioning Available No Curfew Internet Available Washing Machine Available
Palau marine clubhouse... 7/10
Price 25 $
Address

Main Street, Malakal Island.
Koror

User's opinion:

The cheapest place I could find! I had an attic-room with some sort of aircon, a fridge and a small bed. Shared bathroom. Everything is in Japanese. Far walk from town. Supermarket nearby!


Impac 9/10
Price - €
Address

Main street, Island between Koror and Malakal
Koror

User's opinion:

Touroperator. They have different packages. Since tours are expensive, take the the one that offers the most so you'll only go once! Pro: I got my own English guide, since most tourists are Japanese!