Top 12 Things To Do In Palau

1. Belau National Museum

Belau National Museum, located in the capital city of Koror in Palau, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in learning about the rich cultural heritage of this small Pacific island nation. The museum offers a fascinating insight into Palauan history, art, and traditional way of life through its extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and exhibits.

Upon entering this tourist attraction in Palau, visitors are greeted by a life-size traditional Palauan bai, a communal meeting house, which sets the tone for the rest of the exhibits. The museum also houses the famous “Ngerchong Skull,” an ancient skull preserved for over 2,000 years and believed to have been used in ancestral worship.

Visitors can also learn about Palauan weaponry, such as spears and swords, used for hunting and protection in ancient times.

2. Etpison Museum

The Etpison Museum in Koror is a treasure trove of cultural and historical artifacts that offer visitors a unique glimpse into the culture of the Palauan people. The museum’s extensive collection showcases the island’s rich cultural heritage and connection to the ocean.

One of the museum’s highlights is the impressive array of shells, which includes some of the world’s rarest and most valuable specimens. Visitors can also view traditional Palauan pottery, carvings, and weaving, which provide insight into the island’s artistic traditions.

The museum also offers a unique opportunity to learn about Palau’s natural environment, with exhibits on marine life, insects, and geology.

3. Tour the Rock Islands of Palau

A true highlight of any trip to Palau, the Rock Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a landscape lover’s dream. Ancient coral reef beds thrust up above the ocean surface - in some cases by as much as 207 meters (679 feet) - the limestone islands and islets are scattered across almost 50 square kilometers (18 sq miles) and feature a dizzying array of beautiful aquamarine waters, vibrant colourful wildlife, stunning white sand beaches and spectacular snorkelling and scuba diving sites. Unsurprisingly, there are a host of tour operators based in Palau who run a wide array of trips to the islands - from surface cruises and kayaking excursions (more on the latter in a bit) to diving experiences. Neco Marine, is one such tour operator, which visits everything from The Natural Arch to the beautiful snorkelling spot of Fantasy Island.

Neco Marine Palau

Address: 129 Main Street, Koror, Palau

Website: Neco Marine

Opening hours: 7am - 5.30pm (daily)

Price: Varies depending on activity. See website

4. Snorkel in Palau's marine-rich lakes

Speaking of beautiful snorkelling spots, the sheer number of islets and reefs off Palau has made it a beloved place to visit for divers and wildlife enthusiasts from across the globe, drawn as they are by its multitude of barrier reef walls, fascinating World War II wrecks and spectacular aquatic wildlife. Some of these make for truly unique experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else - the most famous example of which is arguably the stunning bloom of millions of golden jellyfish which make Jellyfish Lake their home (more on this in a moment). Many tour operators offer a range of snorkelling experiences that take in some of these marine lakes. One such example is Swings Palau Tours, based on the island of Koror, which includes a half-day snorkel sunset tour of the Rock Islands in its itinerary.

Swings Palau Tours

Address: Swings Palau Tours, Koror, Palau

Website: Swings Palau Tours

Price: 150 USD per passenger (minimum 4 passengers)

5. Swim amongst golden jellyfish at Jellyfish Lake

Jellyfish Lake is located amid the interior of Eil Malk island, but sits at sea level and is, in fact, a marine body thanks to its connection to the ocean through a series of tunnels and fissures. It gets its name from the massed bloom of golden jellyfish which make this a real highlight of any visit. The unique jellyfish migrate en masse through the lake’s waters every day - following the sun to ensure their internal colonies of algae get the maximum amount of nutrients. And this simple energy-driven migration makes for a spectacular sight for those swimming in the waters. Luckily, there are plenty of tour operators who run visits to the lake. One such operator is Palau Dive Adventures, which runs whole holiday packages - including resort accommodation - and travel itineraries that include Jellyfish Lake.

Palau Dive Adventures

Address: Main Street, Koror, Palau

Website: Palau Dive Adventures

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 7pm (closed Sat & Sun)

6. Sunbathe on Long Beach

There are many spectacular white-sand beaches amid the archipelago, but one particularly popular spot is Long Beach. Living up to its name, this thin sandbar extends for up to 800 metres (2600 ft) out into the sea like a pencil line, its delicate white sands lapped on both sides by mesmerising turquoise and aquamarine waters. Wander along it - tide permitting - during one of the local tour visits and it’ll almost feel like you’re walking among the waves. The Rock Island Tour Company runs an extensive array of popular tours, including this one which takes in not only Long Beach but also the ‘Milky Way’, another of the islands’ famous sights.

Long Beach

Address: Koror, Koror Island, Palau

7. Take a therapeutic mud bath in Palau's Milky Way

No, not the galaxy, but the almost iridescent milky blue waters from which this picture-postcard spot draws its name. Earning the name Milky Way for very good reason, these waters owe their spectacular appearance to the millions of years of calcium carbonate deposit laid down through the ages. Its silty limestone mud sea bed, which is what lends the sea its vibrant sky blue colour, is popular with visitors, who use it as an impromptu beauty treatment-style mudpack. And, even if you’d rather avoid covering yourself in the white mud, its effects on the colour of the water will make for some uniquely-beautiful photos in Palau’s sunshine. And why not combine a visit with stops at other sites as part of a day-long kayaking experience, such as the ‘Long Lake’ offering from Sam’s Tours.

Milky Way

Address: Koror, Palau 96940

8. Get up close with friendly dolphins at Dolphins Pacific

If you’re a fan of dolphins then you may wish to pay a visit to Dolphins Pacific at some point during your Palau adventure. Located at the northern end of Ngeruktabel Island, this self-styled “world’s largest marine mammal interaction, educational and research” centre offers a range of programs/activities that will teach you more about these charismatic marine mammals. These include close encounters, where friendly dolphins at the centre will let you touch them; as well as options to go for a swim alongside them; and even go scuba diving to fully immerse yourself in their world and the underwater landscape of the country. Other activities in Palau include a one-day experience where you get to live the life of the site’s dolphin trainers (complete with chances to feed and train with the animals).

Dolphins Pacific

Address: Koror, Koror Island 96940, Palau

Website: Dolphins Pacific

9. Kayak in the brilliant waters off the Rock Islands

The archipelago’s sheer number of islets may make for an enticing target on one of the area’s tour boats, but they make for an even more irresistible destination when exploring them under your own power. Many operators also offer kayaking tours, should you be comfortable exploring the waters that way. And the Rock Islands are a particularly popular target, with day tours, half-day tours and even sunset options giving you the chance to see them in the magic light of ‘golden hour’. This Rock Islands kayaking option, from Fish 'n Fins Palau, lasts 4 hours and caters for up to 32 people. Sights you’ll see while making your way around the labyrinthine islands include Mandarin Fish Lake and bat caves.

Rock Islands

Address: Koror, Palau

Website: Rock Islands Tour

Opening hours: 7am - 9pm (daily)

Price: 145 USD per adult

10. Visit the beautiful beaches around Inoki Island

The islets around Palau are blessed with enticing white sands and azure waters, and Inoki Island is no different. Boasting stunningly beautiful beaches, and tantalising vistas of nearby islets that just itch to be visited, Inoki is one of several destinations in Palau’s archipelago that you’ll likely be tempted to pay a visit. Naturally, its exotic tree-lined beaches are just one of the possible destinations that await visitors to Palau. And, if you can’t wait to get there yourself, there are plenty of tour operators who offer unique charter options.

Inoki Island

Address: Kororo, Palau

11. Splash about under the beautiful Ngardmau Waterfalls

Palau’s coast and islands may be an enticing target for holiday explorers, but that is not to say the island’s interiors are without interest. From relics of World War II to picture-postcard landscapes, there’s plenty to see - and numerous tours that give you the chance to discover them for yourself. A notable highlight is the Ngardmau Waterfall on Babeldaob Island. The tallest fall in Micronesia, it can be reached via a rough 30-minute jungle hike or monorail. The curtain of water plunges from an overhang into an inviting pool beneath.

Ngardmau Waterfall

Address: Ngiwal, Palau

12. Try fruit bat soup (Paniki) at Penthouse Hotel

If you’re looking for a truly exotic experience then you’ll no doubt want to give the Palau cuisine a whirl during your visit. The islands are known for their fruit bat soup - paniki - or other bat inspired dishes. And there are plenty of local eateries which offer that food option alongside other dishes. One such example is the Penthouse Hotel’s restaurant, which boasts a strong reputation for the food and for its value for money. And, if you can’t quite bring yourself to tuck into flying mammals, the hotel also serves a range of international foods - which includes an in-house bakery.

The Penthouse Hotel Restaurant

Address: Main St, Koror, 96940, Palau

Website: The Penthouse Hotel Restaurant

Opening hours: 6.30am - 10pm (daily)

Visit Palau's majestic sights

From its truly stunning white sands to the myriad of tempting islets, Palau is a real must-see destination for any worldly traveller. Be it the stunning falls of Ngardmau or the tempting kayaking targets of the various Rock Islands, where will you head first?