Palau Diving Holidays

What species can I expect to see in Palau?

The magical waters of Palau are home to some of the most beautiful aquatic creatures on the planet. This island nation is most famous for its sharks, with the most commonly sighted species being gray reef, blacktip reef and whitetip reef sharks.

Manta rays are less common but can be found relatively often in the German Channel. There are more than 1,500 reef fish species found here, with some of the most iconic being the likes of Napoleon wrasse, the bumphead parrotfish and the sailfin snapper. You should also keep your eyes peeled for the non-stinging golden jellyfish.

What types of diving can I do in Palau?

Palau offers divers a variety of underwater adventures. You'll be able to choose from drift diving at spots like Blue Corner, wall diving at Peleliu and Ngemelis Walls, and even wreck diving at any of the World War II ships which were sunk during the conflict, such as the Amatsu Maru (also known as the Black Coral) wreck. Limestone caves make cave diving a possibility, as well as blackwater diving - which gives you the chance to see the what the depths of Palau look like by night. You can even take part in spawning dives in Palau at certain times of the moon cycle, including bumphead parrotfish and snapper spawning events.

What to pack for diving in Palau?

Packing on a diving trip to Palau blends a nice mix of common-sense items and technical safety gear. That looks a little something like this:

• A two-to-five millimetre-thick wetsuit
• A mask, snorkel and fins
• A dive computer
• A sturdy dive light to help you through darkness at lower depths
• Reef-safe suncream to protect the coral reefs (reef-toxic suncreams are now illegal in Palau, so this is essential)
• A mesh bag to help you pick up any litter while you travel
• An underwater camera or GoPro
• Nuts and nutrition bars to give you energy between dives

Is diving in Palau suitable for beginners?

Palau offers world-class diving, and there's something for divers and snorkellers of all levels. There's over 1,500 species of fish and 700 species of coral to discover here, all of which are carefully protected by the stalwart and steady Koror State Rangers. Blue Corner is Palau's most well-known dive, but there are also plenty of shallow dives, including wrecks suitable for snorkelling if you're less confident.

What level of dive qualification will I need in Palau?

A PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is the base level needed to dive in Palau. In areas where waters are deeper, currents can be stronger, making it more challenging, and on the spawning dives you may need to have an advanced PADI Open Water Diver qualification (or equivalent) and 50-100 logged dives.

Aside from the hours spent exploring the waters of Palau, there are plenty of other things to keep your busy during your holiday. Here are some of the best alternatives for when you're not checking out what the manta rays and golden jellyfish are up to…

• Ngardmau Falls. This stunning waterfall is the largest in the country, and cascades down over Mt Ngerchelchuus (which sits at a total height of 711ft). It's roughly a 20-minute hike to the waterfall down a jungle path, but can also be accessed via a monorail system. Locals believe that this is a sacred place where spirits once dwelled.
• Belau National Museum. Found in Koror, this museum is the oldest in the Micronesia region. The building has two main exhibits: the first showcases Palau's traditional culture and arts, including bead money (udoud) and the house-buying ceremony known as ocheraol the second has a library of over 5,000 books which chart the history of Palau.
• Badrulchau Stone Monoliths. Located on the hill slopes in the north of Babeldaob Island, this is thought to be the largest and oldest archaeological site in Palau, dating back to around 161 AD. The site is made up of 52 basalt megaliths, and it is still not fully known what their purpose was. It is believed that they supported a bai (traditional Palauan meeting house), which could have housed thousands of people.
• Etpison Museum. This striking building looks like an Egyptian temple and was donated by former President Ngiratkel Etpison. The museum has several exhibits which discuss factors such as the history of the wider nation, money, archaeological sites, clothes and religious practices. It also charts the way Palau has changed over the years, as foreign influence has begun to have more of an impact in day-to-day life.

What is Palau famous for?

Palau is best known for the wondrous diving opportunities you'll find here. But the truth is that there's so much more to it than just its underwater activities. Yes, the chances to dive here are hard to match, but the country's wider commitments to marine conservation are something which any visitor should take note of.

The island nation is home to the first ever shark sanctuary (founded in 2009), and since 2017 has also implemented the 'Palau Pledge', which aims to educate visitors about the importance of marine preservation. With more than 500 coral species, 17 kinds of shark and just over 1,300 different marine fish all found here, Palau serves as the shining example of man and nature's relationship done right.

For history buffs, there are even more goodies to discover. Palau was occupied by Japan during World War II, and just a short ferry hop away from the heavily populated state of Koror, you'll find Peleliu. This abandoned military outpost and defensive fortification still showcases the tanks used during the battle to liberate the island at the end of the war.

What food should I try in Palau?

An amalgamation of flavours from the United States, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have come together to form a truly one-of-a-kind cuisine in Palau. Perhaps to no great shock, given their proximity to the seas, a lot of Palauan dishes are very fish focused. Here are some we'd recommend trying when you visit:

• Spam Musubi. Grilled spam is layered on a bed of sushi rice, which has been wrapped in an omelette and nori (edible seaweed used for wrapping sushi).
• Ukaeb. Crab shell is filled with minced crab meat, with a rich coconut cream poured on top of it.
• Poke. Raw fish (usually tuna) is seasoned with sesame oil, sesame seeds, chilli and lemon.
• Fish tempura. A slightly more familiar dish for most Westerners, this deep-fried fish is usually served with a creamy mayonnaise.
• Fel (Palauan soup). A hearty chicken or fish soup that's a staple in Palauan meals.
• Pichi-pichi. A traditional dessert made of coconut and cassava
• Bamboo rolls. Cylindrical treats made with sticky rice wrapped around savoury or sweet fillings, often sold at roadside stalls

Do you need to tip in Palau?

Like a lot of places, you don't have to tip in Palau, but it is nice to. If you feel like someone who provided you with a service did a good job, it's customary to give them anywhere from 10-15% of the total cost.

What is the climate of Palau like?

Palau has a tropical climate, so expect hot and humid weather. While that means conditions can sometimes get a bit sticky, it's really just a great excuse to spend more time in the water. Temperatures are pretty consistent year-round, rarely dropping above or below 26-32°C (79-90°F).

The most important thing to pay attention to is the seasons. There are really only two: the dry and wet seasons. The dry season runs from December partway into May, while the second half of May through to November is the wet season.

Where is Palau?

Palau - officially the Republic of Palau - is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, and is part of the Micronesia sub-region of Oceania.

As it's fairly remote, the country doesn't sit that close to any other land masses. It does shares maritime boundaries with international waters to the north, the Federated States of Micronesia to the east, Indonesia to the south, and the Philippines to the north-west.

What plugs do they use in Palau?

Type A and Type B plugs are used in Palau. Type A has two flat parallel pins, while Type B has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. The standard voltage is 120V, and the frequency is 60Hz. Make sure to bring an adaptor with you.

What it the capital city of Palau?

Ngerulmud is the capital city of Palau. Aside from potentially having the honour of being one of the least-known capitals in the world, Ngerulmud is also the least populous capital on Earth. That's because it technically doesn't have a population. It replaced Koror City as the capital in 2006, owing to the fact that it houses the seat of government for the Republic of Palau.

What language do they speak in Palau?

The national language of Palau is, funnily enough, Palauan. This is a Malayo-Polynesian language native to the Republic of Palau and nowhere else. English is also recognised as an official language though, so you won't need to brush up on your Duolingo skills too much.

What is the time difference in Palau?

Palau is nine hours ahead of GMT when daylight savings isn't in effect. When it is, Palau is eight hours ahead of the UK.

What currency do they use in Palau?

The official currency of Palau is the United States Dollar. This makes it easier to prepare for your trip, as this is a currency which can be found in almost any exchange in the world. This was introduced in 1994, as Palau did not have an official currency prior to this.

Can you drink the tap water in Palau?

While the water in Palau is usually safe to drink, it's always smart to stick to bottled. In resorts and built-up areas, you're unlikely to experience stomach issues from drinking the tap water, but this isn't always the case in more remote locations.

How do you get to Palau?

Palau is only reachable via plane. There won't be direct flights out of the UK, so you'll have to get a connecting flight somewhere like Brisbane, Guam, Manila or Micronesia.

How long is the flight to Palau?

The total journey time can be anywhere as high as 27 to 28 hours for flights to Palau. You won't be in the air that long, but this is the total time combined across all legs of your journey once you take off from your first airport. Sometimes it can take slightly longer, but trust us, it's worth it.

Do I need a visa to visit Palau?

You can enter Palau for up to 30 days without a visa. You'll be issued a 30-day tourist visa when you arrive. If you want to stay for longer, make sure to contact the Bureau of Immigration before you travel to sort this out.

What are the other entry requirements for Palau?

The expiry date on your passport needs to be at least six months after the date you arrive in Palau, and you must have at least two blank pages.

What vaccines are needed to enter Palau?

All travellers need to be up to date with the recommended vaccines for life in the UK. While not required, it might also be smart to get vaccinated against Tetanus.