National park · Palau
Rock Islands
Visit the Rock Islands on a day trip from Koror: pay the $10 USD entry fee, take a 30‑45 min boat from Koror, hike the Ulong trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in the morning, snorkel the lagoons in the afternoon, and stay overnight in Koror.Visit the Rock Islands on a day trip from Koror: pay the $10 USD entry fee, take a 30‑45 min boat from Koror, hike the Ulong trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in the morning, snorkel the lagoons in the afternoon, and stay overnight in Koror.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
2012
Best months
Nov–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Micronesia ↗Micronesia runs on a handful of weekly flights, so one cancellation can cost several days: build slack into every connection between islands.
- Palau ↗Entry rules are Palau's own, not US rules: check the Palau Bureau of Immigration or a Palau embassy for your passport before booking.
- Palau ↗You sign the Palau Pledge (a promise to protect the environment) in your passport on arrival; the pledge is enforced by law.
- Palau ↗Reef-toxic sunscreens are banned and can be confiscated: bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest.
- Palau ↗The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon needs a permit (sold by tour operators); Jellyfish Lake opens or closes depending on jellyfish numbers.
At a glance
- Country
- Palau
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- Approx. 100 km² of coral reef and limestone islands (check).
- Established
- 2012
- Best months
- Nov–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Koror
The Rock Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage archipelago of about 300 mostly uninhabited limestone islands and reefs, renowned for clear lagoons, coral diving and short jungle hikes.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2012Mixed cultural and natural site.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 2012
Approx. 100 km² of coral reef and limestone islands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Koror.
Why go
- Snorkel crystal‑clear lagoons and see abundant coral reefs.
- Explore short hikes on limestone islands with jungle views.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, calm seas.
- FebDry, calm seas.
- MarDry, calm seas.
- AprDry, calm seas.
- MayDry, calm seas.
- JunRainier, rougher seas.
- JulRainier, rougher seas.
- AugRainier, rougher seas.
- SepRainier, rougher seas.
- OctRainier, rougher seas.
- NovDry, calm seas.
- DecDry, calm seas.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reef fish and coralsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles (nesting on some beaches)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Carp Island | Main entry gate, small resort, boat dock, and short trails. | Open with entry fee. |
| Ulong Island | Limestone peak with a 2 km (1.2 mi) loop trail and a beach.Limestone peak with a 1.2 mi (2 km) loop trail and a beach. | Reachable by boat from Carp Island. |
| Designated campsites | Campsites such as Peninsula Camp, Ngchus, and Giant Clam Beach with outhouses. | Camping allowed only at listed sites. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main entry is at Carp Island.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$10 | person | Collected by boat operators or at the Carp Island gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Fires
- Not allowed on any island; use designated cooking facilities at campsites.
- Camping
- Only in listed campsites; no wild camping.
- Litter
- Pack out all waste; bins are limited.
- Water
- Bring all fresh water; no natural sources are reliable.
Where to stay
In the park
Carp Island Resort
Simple rooms and a restaurant on the main inhabited island.
Near the park
Koror
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses; 30 min boat ride to the islands.
Safety
Sun exposure high
Dehydration medium
Rough seas medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Carp Island dock reachable by boat; short walks are level.
- Trails involve uneven ground and stairs; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Bring reusable water bottles; refill at the Carp Island dock.
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen and avoid touching corals.
- Camp only in designated sites and use provided outhouses.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Rock Islands?
The entry fee is US $10 per person, paid to the boat operator or at the Carp Island gate.
What are the best hikes in Rock Islands?
The Ulong Trail on Ulong Island is a short 2 km loop (easy). Other short walks are available on Carp Island near the resort.
When is the best time to visit Rock Islands?
The dry season from November to May offers calm seas and clear water; avoid the rainy months June‑October.
Can I camp on the Rock Islands?
Camping is allowed only at designated campsites such as Peninsula Camp; wild camping is prohibited.
Do I need to bring fresh water?
Yes, bring all drinking water you need; there are no reliable natural sources on the islands.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Rock Islands
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