Palau is magical. For such a tiny area of land, it packs a huge punch. You will be overwhelmed by Palau’s extraordinary array of natural wonders. It is made up of about 200 mostly pristine limestone and volcanic 
islands, covered in an emerald forest, and surrounded by a beautiful turquoise lagoon. So of course, diving is the number one activity here, with world class dive sites. Divers affirm that Palau has an exciting seascape, with fascinating wrecks and a stunning marine life, dubbed the underwater Serengeti. When the underwater wonders have finished working their magic on you, there are other adventure options. Kayaking, snorkeling and off-road driving are great, with the added appeal of fantastic settings. And for history buffs there are plenty of WWII relics scattered in the jungle, as well as a handful of well-organized museums in Koror, Palau’s largest town. Our Palau Travel Guide will give you all the information and tools to start planning your vacation to this wonderful place.
Palau Weather (When to Visit)
Being so close to the equator, Palau enjoys a steady warm climate all year round with an average temperature of 86°F. Dry season runs November to April with maximum temperatures of 90°F and lows of 81°F. Humidity is high all year round.
The high season in Palau is December – March. During this time hotels are going to be hard to find, and reserving your hotel early is essential. Hotel prices will be 50% higher than any other time of the year. The seas are calm and the weather is dry. This is the premium time for diving, so dive sites will be crowded. The shoulder season is April, July, August, October and November. During this time you will find great discounts on hotels and availability. The downside is that this when Palau see heavy rainfall. Winds whip up the waves and some dive sites are not accessible. An alternative to the high season is the low season during May, June and September. Hotel prices will be about 30% lower than in high season, and airfares will also be lower flying into Palau. There will be fewer travelers, so dive sites will not be crowded.
Spiaggia di Porto Faro
Spiaggia di Porto FaroSpiaggia di Porto Faro has white sands overlooking the famous archipelago of La Maddalena. Be amazed by stunning views, and crystal blue waters. The water provides excellent visibility for snorkeling, and the flora in these parts is renowned for making this worth the effort. Quiet and mostly unassuming, the beach may be a little busy on weekends, but for those who are flexible, this cove can prove the perfect escape from the more touristy beaches nearby.
Spiaggia Dell Isolotto
Spiaggia Dell IsolottoThe beauty of this beach is immediately obvious from the moment you set eyes on the white sands and crystal blue waters. The beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling with its very calm water. This beach can be surprisingly quiet and an ideal spot to enjoy the sunset. Nearby you can also find a broad range of restaurants which serve authentic Sardinian dishes.
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Spiaggia La Sciumara
Spiaggia La SciumaraThis beach has fantastic views and clear waters and is located between the colorful village of Palau and Porto Rafael. La Sciumara is accompanied by a low seabed which makes swimming ideal while the nearby islands are easily reached by boat. Spiaggia La Sciumara is perfect for families with children and also provides wheelchair access. The beach also offers visitors a dinghy rental service and the beach is also suited to snorkeling with clear waters full of colorful marine life and flora.
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Long Beach Palau
Long Beach PalauThe sand here looks and feels like white velvet and the crystal-clear ocean provides excellent visibility. If you venture into the water, be prepared to see turtles, colorful fish and exotic coral. Adventure-lovers will be in paradise with the endless kayaking, boating and off-roading options this land provides. No matter what your perfect day near the water is, Long Beach Palau will fulfill all of your desires.
Spiaggia di Talmone
Spiaggia di TalmoneThis beach is located in Porto Talmone Cuncato. It is a cove of white limestone cliffs and the water incredibly transparent. It is a small protected bay shaped like a half moon surrounded by low vegetation and breathtaking views. The beach does not offer services.
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Best Palau Tours & Activities by Viator
Viator.com – Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do
Full Day Scuba Dive Tour
They offer a one of a kind experience that ensures your dive and island vacation in Palau is as carefree and convenient as possible. From their season veteran dive and crew to their high performance gear, equipment and boats, you will be guaranteed the best available on island. Learn more about the Full Day Dive Tour.
Jellyfish Lake, Milky Way Beach and Rock Island Tour
Explore the natural beauty of Palau on this flexibly-timed adventure. After a convenient hotel pickup, head to Neco Marine, meet your guide and get fitted with equipment. Then sail to the emerald isles of Palau’s Southern Lagoon for magnificent beaches, an underwater adventure, and a rejuvenating stop at the “Milky Way.” Learn more about the Jellyfish Lake, Milky Way Beach and Rock Island Tour.
Half-Day Stand Up Paddle Board Tour
Enjoy Stand Up paddle boarding through the islands with our local expert staff. Mandatory State Permits are not included. Learn more about the Half-Day Stand Up Paddle Board Tour.
Off-Road Small-Group Jungle Driving Adventure with Lunch
Explore the Palau rainforest on an adventurous ATV tour, driving a rugged vehicle that can take you deep into the landscape where traditional tour vehicles can’t reach. Following a local through a maze of muddy tracks, you’ll pause to swim in a jungle waterfall, search for birds and wildlife, and discover carnivorous plants on foot before tracing a rough path back out of the rain forest. Learn more about the Off-Road Jungle Driving Adventure.
Palau Big Island Adventure
Experience Palau’s rich and unique culture and history on our Big Island tour. Our tour encompasses the major natural, historical and cultural landmarks of Palau’s big island, Babeldaob. Be sure to bring your hiking gear and towels for this adventure. Learn more about the Palau Big Island Adventure.
Best Palau Restaurants
Drop Off Bar & Grill $11 – 30
The Drop Off has a great selection of fish delivered daily from the harbour, including blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and red snapper. It’s also known for its knockout burgers, kebabs (skewers) and sashimi. The open-air terrace overlooking the marina is perfect for enjoying the cool, ocean breezes. Even if you aren’t dining, it’s a great place to pause for a drink. Telephone: 680 488 7505 Web: Drop Off Bar & Grill
Elilai Restaurant & Bar $31 – 60
Currently the best spot in the city for real gourmet cuisine, Elilai has achieved a fantastic reputation thanks to its painstakingly constructed menu featuring Palauan and Asian dishes with a contemporary twist. Start with fabulous local crustaceans – the ukaeb (Palauan land crab) is succulent – then dig into a mangrove clam risotto, grilled tuna, or pork ribs, all beautifully presented. There are vegetarian options, too. Telephone: 680 488 8866 Web: Elilai Restaurant & Bar
Katey’s Healing Garden $11 – 30
Delicious food, healthy ingredients, a serene setting and cracking views from the terrace – if you’re after an authentic Palauan experience, this place is hard to beat. The charismatic owner is committed to using traditional recipes based on local, organic produce. There’s also first-rate coffee and vitamin-packed fruit juices. Telephone: 680 488 2200 Web: Katey’s Healing Garden
Krämers Bar & Restaurant $11 – 30
This popular restaurant next to the ferry dock on Malakal Island is great, thanks to its breezy verandah with great bay views, eclectic menu and jovial atmosphere. Dishes on offer might include blackened sashimi, BBQ banana-wrapped fish, and pumpkin schnitzel (a delicious vegetarian dish). The bar here is a lively meet-and-greet zone and stays open until 2am. Telephone: 608 488 8448 Web: Krämers Bar & Restaurant
The Taj $11 – 30
One of the most reputable restaurants in town, the Taj serves authentic, richly flavoured korma, curry and tandoori dishes, all prepared with the best ingredients available. Tandoori chicken is brought to your table impaled on what looks like a short sword. A good selection of vegetarian options also grace the menu. Crisp, elegant and fresh food, served by lovely sari-clad staff. Telephone: 608 488 2227 Web: The Taj
Thank you for such a beautiful post. I’m delighted with all the details you’ve included. I will bookmark your site for future reference. Thanks
You are so welcome and thanks for stopping by and reading my Palau Travel Guide.
Hey i really enjoyed this article, it was very informative. I would love to take a vacation to some of these places. I have never got to leave the states but i would love to and check out these nice places! Keep up the good work! You had lot of information to share!
Thanks so much Justin and thanks for visiting my Palau Travel Guide.
This all seems amazing and I am loving Palau! I had never heard of it, but when doing some research for my next travel destination, I came across your wonderful site! There are a lot of places that don’t get as much recognition as the big vacation spots, which seems to be the case for Palau. It looks like the perfect vacation spot!
No, you do not hear a lot about Palau, and most have not heard of it. You are right! It is the perfect vacation spot! I hope you can experience this wonderful destination. If you need any additional information, please let me know.
Palau really looks amazing! I have been reading and hearing so many wonderful things about this place that I wish I could visit it in the near future. We have our very own beautiful Boracay White Sand Beach here in the Philippines but I think Palau is nothing like it.
I am curious about the purple beach. I don’t know what’s with me and colored beaches, lol. I guess I am just used to the ordinary beaches in our place that whenever I hear something about a beach of extraordinary color, I become very interested. I’m not saying the purple beach is all that I find attractive in Palau. Ngatpang and Ngardmau Waterfalls are definitely a “must see.”
By the way, if I were to travel to Palau from Manila, Philippines, how long will the flight take? And do you think there’s a direct flight?
You live in a wonderful place Alice! I actually just did a review on Boracay 🙂 You also live fairly close to Palau, with just a 3 hour direct flight! I think you will find it a bit unique, yes especially with the purple beach 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Palau sounds like a nice place to be right now, especially with the cold weather we have had here in New England. Understandable that this would be the beginning of the high season. I love the waterfalls there. I’ve never seen any like them. The hotels sound really nice there. How would you rate Palau with other small islands around there?
Oh, Palau is close to the top of my list. I love waterfalls, amazing beaches, the island life., etc. You get it all in Palau. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Very thorough website. You have it all covered. Wish I was a beach person. Was when I was younger. Love dipping my toes in the cool mountain springs. You have a lot of great comments. Your personality shows itself in the sight. I like how you are open to comments at the bottom of each page. Lots of useful information. Very informative.
Kirk
Thank you so much Kirk and glad you enjoyed your visit even though you are no long a beach person. I hope that I will always be a beach person….its just in my blood LOL. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment.
Palau travel guide is by far one of the most attractive articles I have read in a long time I really love this article it makes me want to go to Palau which is going to be a great place to visit. I really love this informative article. I will be looking into this as my next vacation the weather sounds wonderful. I’m making this website my travel destination headquarters.
Thank you for this very informative article
Great Quinn, I would also be glad you to help you with your travel planning. Please don’t hesitate to ask. Glad you enjoyed my Palau Travel Guide.
This sounds like a beautiful holiday destination!!! It would be interesting to go and see the WWII relics scattered in the jungle, that would be something I would enjoy, and the snorkelling of course!! The Ngardmau Waterfall looks amazing, that would be my first attraction to visit and I probably wouldn’t want to leave!! Thanks for sharing, Cheers!!!
You are very welcome Juvette! Yes, it is a beautiful destination Especially if you want relaxation, beauty, with some history with it. Thanks for visiting my Palau Travel Guide.
Hi Leahrae,
You mostly hear about the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands for beach destination but I’ve never thought about going to Palau… But why not? After reading your article, I think it could be an exciting option!
The Ngardmau Waterfalls (won’t even try to pronounce it) especially seem really beautiful and a wonderful destination for me to go visit in my next backpacking trip!
Cheers,
Miguel
Your are right, it is an exciting option! Once you start planning, let me know, as I would love to help. Thanks for stopping by!
WoW that’s really amazing destination for sure , very informative and every time I read one of your articles I learn something new. Your articles always provide new information about amazing places to visit. One question please: How do I get to Palau? I am adding this to my bucket list and might have to start planning. Thanks in advance
Thanks for visiting Aly and great question. If you are planning your Palau vacation you should fly to one of the five international gateways and then to Palau Roman Tmetuchl International Airport. The five gateways are Yap, Manilla, Taiwan, Seoul and Guam. It really depends where you are located, as to which of these cities you will fly into. Then you will fly into Palau Roman Tmetuchi International airport. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hey Leahre! How are you doing? I really enjoyed reading this article as you’ve provided us with lots of information. Palau is kinda affordable for me so I’ll be adding it on my wishlist. I really enjoy scuba diving as I’ve done it previously in Maldives but I’m planning to do it again here as well. By the way, which is the nearest airport?
You do travel to some amazing places! How nice to go to the Maldives and Palau! The closest airport is Roman Tmetuchl International which takes you into Koror. Glad you enjoyed my Palau Travel Guide.
Palau looks like a cool place to visit.
If given the opportunity, I’d like to have a swim in one of the beautiful beaches and visit the Ngardmau waterfall, which looks like a mini-Niagara falls. For now, I can only enjoy the beaches locally in my hometown in the Philippines, which I know are comparable to those tourist destinations around the world.
Thanks for the exhaustive review.
Marita
You are very welcome Marita. And you are right, the beaches in the Philippines ARE comparable. I think that the Philippines has some of the most beautiful beaches, hands down. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave me some comments.
Oh my goodness! I would not mind a beach right now at all. It got cold the last few days and was around 30F! I have never heard of this location. Now I have yet another beach to dream about visiting. lol Thank you for all of the tips. I really love it!!
Most people have not heard of Palau, but yes, I think you would love it! Thanks for reading my Palau Travel Guide.
Really awesome post! Very detailed and helps me plan my next destination. Some of these places are well priced and I am definitely adding to my list.
Great Patrick, you won’t be disappointed. Please let me know if I can help in any way. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
This place looks amazing. I love waterfalls too. I wouldn’t mind sitting under Ngardmau Waterfall for a couple of hours to zone out and relax. Thanks for the travel guide 🙂
You are welcome and yes, me too. Would be very relaxing to sit there for a while and just let the time slowly go by. Thanks for visiting my Palau Travel Guide.
I’m always drawn to a place by the cuisine more than anything else, what can I say, I’m a massive foodie, and Palau looks like it has some great offerings. Katey’s Healing Garden caught my eye specifically because of the organic produce, so I would be in my element there ha ha.
But food apart, it also looks like such a beautiful place… that waterfall, wow!And the scenery and beaches look gorgeous, I would love this place any time of year I reckon. This is a place for my parents too as they are literally obsessed with World War 2 – so great holiday destination for all my family.
It does have a little something for everyone Stefanie. A lot of history, and a lot of beautiful amazing places. Palau is a wonderful vacation destination for anyone. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Very nice place to travel to for vacation or just visit for the heck of it. First thing I can say about this Island is that I have never heard of it before but it is really a exciting looking place to go. The waterfall is amazing and I would love to swim there. It seems like it would be a more secluded place with not many people or traffic I may be wrong but don’t think so. A really great destinatin to travel to.
You are right Fred, the waterfall is not going to have a lot of people or you won’t find a lot of traffic. Most go here for diving, one of the top 10 diving locations in the world. Thanks for reading my Palau Travel Guide!
Wow, this place looks beautiful. I hadn’t even heard of it, how embarrassing! I love to travel so next time it comes to booking I will definitely check this place out, it ticks all the boxes for me. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, it is definitely very important!!
Glad I found you a new and wonderful destination to start planning your vacation to 🙂 It is beautiful and it is a wonderful spot for a relaxing vacation! Thanks for stopping by Palau Travel Guide.