Palau Country - Stunning Tropical Untouched Oceania UNESCO Islands

Beautiful tropical paradise having awesome beaches and more than 100 islands which low-lying coral islands and ringed by Barrier reefs, but unspoiled places at this planet. Palau also known as Belau and it comprises of the far-western portion of the Caroline Islands with Angaur, Babulthuap, Eil Malk, Koror, Peleiu and Urukthapel. Well, this stunning country is located in the Oceania which covers 49 sq. km of land and it is making 202nd largest land area nation and 21,032 population where 46% people per sq. km. 

However, this country became independent state in 1994 after rising its sovereignty from the USA. Though, Palau currency is US dollar and people are known as Palauan. The economy depends around the agriculture and fishing as well as tourism activity such scuba diving, kayaking and many more. Moreover, it consists of some 340 coral and volcanic islands balanced on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge. Its marine environment has an iconic fauna which is balanced by an abundant terrestrial flora. This island is divided in four categories such as the Ulebsechel islands in the northeast, southwest of the Ulebsechel Islands, Ulong Island of west of the Urukthpel Islands and Mecherchar Islands in the southeast include Eil Malk and famous Jellyfish Lake.

Furthermore, Palau has huge species of marine life than other area which are similar size in the world – marine life such as corals, fish, snails, clams, starfish, sea urchins, jellyfish, squid, sea cucumbers, sea anemones and feather-duster worms contain in profusion and variety and this is the reason Palau become one of the world’s leading scuba diving places. This is listing in tiny country in the world but it packs a big punch like Polynesian ironwood tree, pandanus as well as varieties of Palm and fern, also birds are ample and colorful. Additionally, insects are copious, different species of reptiles and amphibians as well as having unique from that gives birth to live young. 

This island has large communities from Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Japan and USA also all local stores get supplies from these countries and this the reason Koror offers an awesome range of foodstuffs in stores and at a price. Palau enjoys a tropical climate whole year like 28C average also Rainfall can happen all year with 150 inches average and it occurs more between July and October. 

Even though, Palau is famed for scuba diving and famous dive locations such as Blue Corner with sharks and huge waves which is situated less than 1 hour’s boat ride from the resorts. Also, tours are organizing to WWII battle fields on Palau as well as German Channel, Ulong Channel, Blue Corner and Blue holes which are stunning diving site as dive the same site again and again to get different experience each time. Here, found the Saltwater Crocodiles at mangroves and rock islands even anywhere on the island, however they grow to the immense size that they do in Australia and New Guinea. In records, only one fatal attack by a crocodile in 1965 and biggest size was 14’2” length as average size for saltwater crocodile in other countries. 

People of Palau are very appreciative in their hospitality as many of them very understanding and realize cultural differences and give respect for foreign people. But Palau is a matrilineal society with strict roles for men and women as western ideas such as feminism are not standard to the population. Tourist can hire taxis and rented cars as lots of local taxis can be found in Koror even though they are not metered and fares are negotiable.

There are several places must have to visit in Palau trip. 

Jellyfish Lake – Golden Stingless and harmless Jellyfish. 

This is one of the major attractions of Palau which is located in Eil Malk an unhabituated island off the coast of the main town of Koror. Well, this lake is home to millions of stingless and harmless golden mastigias as well as translucent moon jellyfish that migrate from one side of the lake to the other to follow the path of the sun. However, this stingless and harmless jellyfish are strangely disappearing from this lake. Scientists are hoping that once conditions in the lake improve, a new generation will again produce the free-swimming. Palau average temperature in the mid-80s with high humidity that makes enjoyable to visit any time of the year, but as tropical country rainfall can occur at any time of the year. Though, the best time to go in during the dryer months when decreased chance of rain. Moreover, there are many tours are arranged to the jellyfish lake to snorkel. 

Rock Islands – Listed in UNESCO Site

There are 1031 heritage sites among them 802 cultural and 197 natural sites like Great Barrier Reef as well as 32 listed in both cultural and natural reasons and Rock Islands one of them which located at the South Pacific Islands. Well, these islands were created by volcanic action as it is coral reef that grew on an underwater mountain ridge, at the time the reefs were building, the water level was 250 meters higher than now. These most beautiful scenic islands covered in foliage with a few bright white sandy beaches. However, this is a maze of some 44 karstic islands which many show a typical mushroom shape and some difficult to access archaeological sites are part of the core area at Ulong and Ngeruktable islands. 

Dolphins Pacific – World’s largest Marine Interaction

The world’s largest marine mammal interaction, research facility and educational facilities over there that located on the northern side of Ngeruktabel islands in the Republic of Palau. However, there are many programs organized by government to develop tourism in Palau such as dolphin diving, close encounter, dolphin free dive, one-day trainers, dolphin anniversary, fureai diving, dolphin's ocean blessing, introductory diving, dolphin symphony and many more.

Ngardmau waterfall – Tallest Waterfall in Micronesia

 To reach here by car that cheaper than taxi with a bigger group. Listed in one of the must watch attractions which is tallest peak 217-meter-high at Mount Ngerchelchuus also tallest waterfall in Micronesia. However, it can be accessed on foot and takes 20-30 minutes hike along with Jungle path or choose monorail for less energetic. People of the Palau mean that the Ngardmau waterfall was formed by a body of spirit and this was a wide eel with only one eye while other people believe that was god. To see at waterfall at cliff side, the spirit fell in deep sleep that it longer wakes up while as time going on its body developed into a river and head became the waterfall. This waterfall is a 45-minute drive from the Koror. However, this Ngardmau waterfall is an important to Palau’s economy as it is big attraction in tourism and it bigger than expect. This place is also famous for picturesque at wooden platform as well as sharp stones makes picture perfect scenery. 

Belau National Museum – Oldest Museum at Micronesia

One of the oldest museum at Micronesia region started in 1955 which is located in Koror in Palau. In the past, this was located in the Japanese Administration Weather Bureau building and few years later relocated to a new building. As this new building was funded by the Taiwanese government that also known as Republic of China. The main aim of nation building is to create, identify contextualize and records about past and present through the collection, preservation, interpretation, education, documentation and research as well as exhibition of cultural and natural property for the people of Palau. 

Angaur – Small State at Palau Islands

Angaur which is only the place in the world where Japanese as an official language, but from the results of the latest survey in April 200, there were neither usual nor legal people of Angaur aged 5 years or older who spoke Japanese at home. Well, no person reported to be of Japanese ethnic origin for Angaur. The population of this small state in 130 which are not including monkey’s, crocodiles, fruit bats, coconut crabs as well as blue coral. In fact, the route of Angaur is via boat and government providing small speed boat which should have taken an hour and a half. Moreover, there are no restaurants, hotels also large grocery stores as well as very few cars, but people are very friendly, loving and caring. 

Nikko Bay – Part of Rock Islands

Also, part of the World Heritage Site Rock Islands at Southern Lagoon Site which is protected bay is most surely a paddler’s paradise. This awesome place includes Palau’s beautiful old growth coral forests that is nearby to Ngermid Hamlet, Ngerunguikl and Ngermeuangel Peninsula. These shear vertical limestone of ancient corals at Nikko Bay from winds, waves and wake for centuries and as a result of this cathedral like protection the corals of Nikko Bay achieve phenomenal diversity, unbelievable sizes and simply formations. This is the closeness to Koror also made Nikko Bay a perfect defensive location for the Japanese during WWII. 

Palau Aquarium – Part of International Coral Reef Center

To know about the lives of marine animals and plants best place to visit at Palau Aquarium which is educational and entertaining set of exhibits, tanks and installations that says what lies water’s surface. Well, this is important part of the Pacific International Coral Reef Center that a Japanese funded research center. Its goal to educate tourists about Palau’s coral reef and its ecosystem as well as features, plant life interact in the Oceans, mangrove swamps and seagrass beds also its different habitat. Here, visitors learn hand to activities, biological diversity, cultivation and natural history which is different attraction to both tourists and locals. Conference rooms with state of the art equipment and comfortable as well as specious rooms which are perfect place for workshops, meetings and conferences. 

German Channel – Most beautiful site of Islands

The most hidden fact that this dive site is actually work of man and nature and today this German channel is listed the most awesome sites in Palau. This is the only channel in the area of flue the outgoing and incoming tides from the inner lagoon and the result can be very strong waves through the mouth of the channel due to fast moving water such as a shallow bottom and speeding boat traffic the channel does not offer any diving. And this southwest mouth of the channel is known as the German Channel Dive Site. This is the remarkable experience which get in Palau holidays. 

Mount Ngerchelchuus – Highest Point at Islands

Mount Ngerchelchuus, Palau’s highest point located at the border of the states of Ngardmau and Ngaremlengui on the Babeldaob island.

 Ngardok Nature Reserve – Largest Freshwater Lake in Islands

Ngardok Nature Reseve lake is a Micronesia’s freshwater reservoir on the Babeldalob island and this reserve is also forms a unique habitat for several species of birds such as endemic Palau flycatcher and Palau fruit dove. This site has a perfect nature trail that winds through upland forest and grasslands. However, it is largest permanent freshwater body in Palau, also it cares indigenous fish as well as small breeding population of the estuarine crocodile. This lake is central of the Melekeok state for control of floods and maintenance of water quality.