(
Oceania
Palau
vital statistics
- Ngerulmud
- 18,000
- Palauan, English
- US Dollar
Palau is to diving what France is to wine – straight up heaven. It’s the main reason most visitors drop by this cluster of 250 or so islands about 700 kilometres east of the Philippines. And it’s easy to see why, with pristine reefs, spectacular drop-offs, shipwrecks from World War II and drift dives accessible as day trips from the main island of Koror. The Blue Holes comprises four vertical shafts that open on to a reef. The Chuyo Maru, a Japanese freighter sunk in April 1944, is covered in hard and soft coral and loads of lionfish at a depth of 11 to 40 metres. There’s also the awe-inspiring German Channel, which is famous for its population of manta rays.
Even if you don’t fancy strapping on an air tank, there are plenty of excellent snorkelling spots, including Jellyfish Lake, which is filled with millions of golden jellyfish that migrate across the water’s surface.
Most of Palau’s population lives on Koror, and it’s the centre for tourists, too. From here you can organise all your diving and snorkelling tours, as well as hiking, guided excursions to World War II sites and ATV adventures. Best of all, it’s the jumping off point for the Rock Islands, some of the most beautiful islets you’ll ever lay your eyes on, whether you choose to lie on the beach or explore the diverse underwater world.
