10 Best Things to Do in Palau | Top Palau Tourist Attractions

Palau, a remote gem in western Micronesia, is renowned for its pristine coral reefs, crystal-clear lagoons, and rich cultural heritage. Travelers searching for things to do in Palau will find a range of activities, from serene nature experiences to thrilling water adventures. Whether it’s the surreal Jellyfish Lake Palau experience, hands-on Palau eco tourism experiences, or Palau snorkeling and diving spots, this archipelago of over 300 islands has something to captivate every visitor.

Beyond water adventures, Palau offers fascinating cultural sites, WWII history, and lush jungle treks. For those who want to stay connected while island hopping, a Palau eSIM and mobile data for tourists ensures your devices work even in remote locations. In this guide, we cover top spots in Palau, must-see Palau tourist attractions, and hidden gems for your Palau bucket list destinations.

Essential Palau Travel Tips

Before diving into things to do in Palau, it’s important to prepare. Palau’s islands are spread across the western Pacific, and Koror serves as the main gateway via air travel. Boats or ferries connect Koror to Babeldaob, the largest island and location of the capital, Ngerulmud.

• Language: Palauan and English are official, making navigation easy for English-speaking travelers.

• Currency: U.S. dollars are used, simplifying transactions for American visitors.

• Climate: Temperatures range from 80–90°F year-round. November–April is ideal for calm seas and snorkeling.

Travelers must apply for a free digital entry permit and pay a $50 eco-fee on arrival, which supports shark conservation, reef protection, and anti-plastic initiatives. Palau eco tourism experiences are a big part of the country’s appeal, allowing visitors to enjoy the environment responsibly.

Packing tips:

• Reef-safe sunscreen and quick-dry clothes

• Sturdy water shoes for trails and boat trips

• Waterproof cases for electronics

• Simcorner Palau eSIM or SIM card mobile data for tourists to stay connected

Planning is key, especially for popular activities like diving, snorkeling, and island-hopping tours. Booking in advance ensures you don’t miss top Palau activities to do.

1. Swim with Jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake

Out there, where sky meets rock and water hides beneath limestone walls, sits a pool full of glowing creatures that pulse like slow hearts. Moving through them feels less like swimming, yet more like drifting inside a dream built by tides and time. A scientist once watched closely - Michael N. Dawson - and wrote how these animals shaped their world apart from oceans, adapting under sunlit canopies with rhythms all their own

“Marine lakes provide remarkable opportunities to observe evolution in action, as populations become isolated and adapt rapidly to their unique environments.”

Swimming here stays safe since the jellyfish lost most of their sting over time. Because the environment is delicate, visitors pay a fee that supports care efforts - checking the water, watching changes, keeping the creatures thriving.

• Mornings bring fewer people. Try showing up before others do

• Wear lightweight snorkeling gear

• Obey guidelines to reduce harm to nature

Floating through these waters brings a quiet kind of wonder, one that stays long after you leave. Try pairing it with a local-led journey between islands, drifting past silent coves and rock hollows shaped by time.

2. Cruise through the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

Among the most visited spots in Palau stands the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, recognized by UNESCO. Rising like stone domes from turquoise water, its 244 isles wear caps of greenery. Beneath the surface, coral bursts with color, cradled by sheltered saltwater basins.

• Snorkeling around Palau opens up underwater worlds full of color. Coral gardens stretch beneath the surface, alive with movement. Manta rays glide through deeper zones where divers often float above them. Some sites welcome swimmers into calm bays by morning light. Others reveal their beauty only when tides shift just right

• Kayaking through hidden caves and lagoons

• Relaxing on pristine, secluded beaches

Paddling routes lead through Ulong Channel, opening paths to hidden sandy coves few see up close. The Natural Arch stands apart, shaped by time and sea, worth pausing for. Those who care about nature often choose this place because actions here protect delicate ecosystems without drawing attention to themselves. Turtles move slowly beneath the surface, sometimes joined by eagle rays gliding past coral patches where reef fish gather. What makes this lagoon different is how easily life reveals itself, undisturbed.

• A different path might open up with someone who knows the way. Instead of going solo, try following a local lead. Hidden corners often show up when you’re not looking alone. Someone else’s experience can point toward places off your usual map

• Grab a camera that handles water if you want pictures worth keeping

• A dash of travel between islands opens up new paths. Water time follows close behind when masks go on. Movement across waves fills hours well into afternoon light

When you're mapping out your trip, exploring the Rock Islands by boat opens doors to sights few places can match. Jumping between these islands lets visitors see plenty of Palau's highlights without rushing. One full day on water often covers what would take days otherwise. Seeing hidden lagoons, cliffs, and reefs becomes effortless when moving from spot to spot. This kind of tour fits well if time is limited but curiosity isn’t.

3. Dive Blue Corner and German Channel

Fearless explorers often seek out what lies beneath Palau's waves. Diving here brings heart-pounding moments few places match. Blue Corner pulls divers into fast-moving water where sharks glide past without hurry. German Channel unfolds like a hidden path teeming with rays and reef creatures. Clear skies above mean light floods down through calm seas below.

• Down at Blue Corner, sharp cliffs fall into deep water. Gray reef sharks swim near the edge. Napoleon wrasse glide through currents. Life gathers where the ocean pulls down

• German Channel cleaning stations, home to mantas and eagle rays

• Night dives revealing glowing plankton and nocturnal sea life

Fresh air waits below the surface, handed out by dive teams across Koror’s many spots. Way back in 2005, Jim Greenfield called Palau a land of giants - his words stuck ever since.

Start your journey through Palau’s underwater world no matter if it’s your first time or your tenth. These dive and snorkel sites belong on any traveler's must-see lineup. Take part in local eco tours that show how coral reefs are protected. Learning happens while you move between islands, slowly.

4. Hike to Ngardmau Waterfall

Near the island’s heart, trails lead through green thickets toward a drop that cuts the sky - Ngardmau’s fall crashes down in layers, loud against stone. Standing at its base feels like stepping into an old story where water rules the land.

• Walking through thick green trees where unusual birds live

• WWII-era relics along the trail

• Coffee plantations offering refreshments

Walking the trail feels doable, even if you are new to hiking. Adventure shows up alongside old stories and green landscapes. Skip the shorelines for once - different sights wait inland. Places tourists often miss become clear on foot.

• Choose shoes that grip the floor well

• Remember to pack a drink along with something to eat

• Allow around two to three hours for the entire journey there and back

Wander trails where ancient paths meet wild landscapes, revealing Palau’s soul beyond postcard views. Each step unfolds stories older than memory, stitched into forests that breathe with you. Rugged cliffs give way to quiet coves only footpaths reach. Culture lives in every stone, every turn of the earth underfoot. Adventure isn’t chased here - it waits, still, in shaded clearings and salt-kissed ridges. This is how you touch a place without taking from it.

5. Kayak through the Milky Way Lagoon and discover Chandelier Cave

Out here, Milky Way Lagoon grabs attention among Palau's top spots. Moving across the shallows means slipping over soft mud packed with minerals - like soaking in nature’s own bath. Then there’s Chandelier Cave, where jagged walls meet glowing water patterns that shift with every step. Adventure picks up right where the sunlight fades.

Experiences include: Mud mask treatments in natural lagoons

Observing octopus, reef fish, and coral in clear waters

Quiet kayaking through tunnels and narrow channels

Floating through calm waters brings quiet joy, while spotting wildlife adds surprise along the way. Begin at sunrise when mist lifts off the mangroves slowly. Drifting between limestone cliffs feels like moving through a dream half-remembered. Some coves stay untouched, reachable only by small boats gliding low. Light dances under the surface where fish dart in silver flashes. Pause mid-journey on a sandbar that appears for just hours each day. From there, islands rise faintly in the distance, cloaked in green. Travelers often sit silent, watching rather than speaking. Each bend reveals something new - a coral shelf, a resting reef shark, an empty shell spinning gently. End near a shoreline shaded by palm fronds swaying without hurry.

6. Explore Belau National Museum and traditional Bai Houses

Wandering through Koror’s Belau National Museum pulls you into Palau’s deep-rooted traditions, one reason it stands out among island experiences. Inside, the old Airai Bai structures rise quietly - men's gathering spaces where painted ngirat masks watch on, each face speaking of ancestors long remembered.

• Cultural highlights: Badrulchau stone pillars connected to birth rituals

• WWII relics at Etpison Museum, including seaplanes and bunkers

• Traditional wood carvings and local crafts

Stories carved into wood - these are what Palauan bai structures became, according to anthropologist Lewis Joseph. Each piece carries echoes of voices long shared by word of mouth. Seeing them fits naturally alongside walks through nature reserves or quiet trips to ancient landmarks across the islands.

7. Snorkel Manta and Shark Alleys

Floating near Manta Alley means swimmers might meet sea creatures up close - yet stay clear of harming nature. Places such as these make Palau a hotspot for diving, drawing travelers keen on underwater views instead of city sights.

• Highlights: Manta rays in feeding areas

• Reef sharks in shallow waters

• Sea turtles resting in coral beds

Perfect spots welcome both new swimmers and those who’ve done this many times before. Tours that move from one Palau island to another usually stop at these lively ocean zones.

8. Walk through Peleliu’s WWII battle sites

History lives on here, where Peleliu tells its story through rusting tanks half-buried in jungle soil. Scattered across the island are wartime bunkers overtaken by vines and roots. Memorials stand quietly among the trees, marking moments long past yet never forgotten. Each step taken reveals traces of the fierce 1944 battles that shaped this place.

• Walk through old battlefields with people who live nearby. Their stories bring history to life during these visits

• Orange Beach snorkeling above sunken reefs

• Learning about WWII history in Palau

Walk among Peleliu’s old battle spots, history fans, if you want a clear window into what shaped this place. The remnants sit quietly but speak volumes about times long gone.

9. Paddle Long Beach and explore inland trails

Fringed by quiet waves, Long Beach on Babeldaob invites kayak trips along calm waterways. Winding paths lead travelers into green interiors, away from noise. Palau's care for nature shows in how these outings blend light exploration with respect for wild spaces.

• Highlights: Kayak through mangrove forests

• Walk Compact Road trails for sweeping lagoon views

• Encounter native flora and fauna

Folks who snap photos might like it here, especially if they also enjoy trees and trails. Quiet spots in Palau tend to draw those with kids, too. Nature fans often wander these parts when avoiding crowds.

Capture and Share Your Palau Journey with SimCorner eSIM

Connectivity is key for travelers enjoying things to do in Palau. A Palau eSIM and mobile data for tourists ensures maps, bookings, and photos flow seamlessly even in remote islands.

SimCorner founder Shahzeb Shaikh says:

“Experiencing Palau’s natural beauty is enhanced when travelers stay connected responsibly. Every shared moment can inspire global appreciation for conservation.”

From Palau snorkeling and diving spots to island hopping, a local eSIM keeps you connected while avoiding expensive roaming charges.