Skip to content
Voykit

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

PalauBelau

First trip: one base in Koror for 5–7 nights with daily boat trips to the Rock Islands and dive sites; Babeldaob is a hire-car day, and Peleliu or Angaur an optional overnight by boat or small plane.

Not field-verified

Palau is a small independent country in free association with the United States, using the US dollar but with its own entry rules. Almost everything happens by boat from Koror: the Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake (when open) and the dive walls. Strict environmental rules apply: every visitor signs the Palau Pledge on arrival, pays an environmental fee, and may not bring reef-toxic sunscreen.

All regions, cities and parks in Palau (Atlas) →

Regions

Koror and the Rock Islandsplanned

Hotel base and daily boat trips to the Rock Islands and dive sites

5–7 nights

Babeldaobplanned

Waterfalls, stone monoliths and the capital Ngerulmud; a hire-car day

0–2 nights

Peleliu and Angaurplanned

Second World War battlefields and quiet beaches; boat or small plane

1–2 nights

Arrive

ROR

Roman Tmetuchl International

On Babeldaob; about 20–30 minutes by road to Koror

Time math

4 days
Koror 4: two boat days in the Rock Islands, one Babeldaob drive, one rest day before flying
7 days
Koror 7: four dive or snorkel days, one Babeldaob day, one Peleliu day trip, one rest day
10 days
Koror 7 + Peleliu 2 + Koror 1 before departure

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • Entry rules are Palau's own, not US rules: check the Palau Bureau of Immigration or a Palau embassy for your passport before booking.
  • You sign the Palau Pledge (a promise to protect the environment) in your passport on arrival; the pledge is enforced by law.
  • Reef-toxic sunscreens are banned and can be confiscated: bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest.
  • The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon needs a permit (sold by tour operators); Jellyfish Lake opens or closes depending on jellyfish numbers.

Etiquette

  • Follow the Palau Pledge: take nothing, touch no coral, feed no fish.
  • Dress modestly in villages and towns; swimwear only on boats and beaches.
  • Ask before photographing people or entering a bai (traditional meeting house).
Independence Day (Oct 1) and Constitution Day (Jul 9)
Public holidays; offices close and some services pause.
Asian holiday peaks (Lunar New Year, Golden Week, Chuseok)
Koror hotels and boats fill with visitors from Taiwan, Korea and Japan.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 3/5

  • Currency is the US dollar (USD). Hotels and dive shops take cards; small shops, taxis and permits may need cash.
  • The environmental fee is usually included in your air ticket; check your booking.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Safety

  • Diving: strong currents at Blue Corner and German Channel; dive with an established operator and use a reef hook as briefed.
  • Saltwater crocodiles live in some mangroves; ask before swimming in them.
  • Sun: strong UV; rash vest and reef-safe sunscreen.
  • Drive on the right; many cars are right-hand drive imports, so overtake with care.
  • Medical care is limited; a decompression chamber exists in Koror, but carry insurance with evacuation cover.

Palau connects to Guam, Yap, Manila and Taipei; it is the western end of Micronesia.

Open Oceania

Sources