The island nation of Palau lies in the Pacific Ocean and forms part of Micronesia, with Philippines to the northwest and Indonesian Papua to the south. Their natural beauty and geographic location are the chief attractions here. Comprising more than 500 small islands, the most popular drawcard in Palau is diving. The country is located on the edge of the Coral Triangle so the coral reefs and marine life display stunning species diversity. The government has banned all fishing in all its territorial waters thus preserving the health and attractiveness of the underwater environment for scuba divers and other users.

Liveaboard cruising in Palau

Another excellent activity is snorkelling in Jellyfish Lake – an evolutionary oddity where the millions of jellyfish have evolved exclusively within the lake to be totally stingless. It’s quite an eerie sensation to swim in waters so thick with jellyfish. Located close by are the rock Islands, a series of mushroom shaped limestone islets with spellbinding lagoons that nake incredible scenery. The azure waters, light grey walls, topped with verdant green foliage, create perfect photo subjects. In the south of the country lies the historic island of Peleliu, where you can explore various Pacific World War 2 sites, and even dive among the wrecks.

Tourism is incredibly important to the Palauan people. Revenues contribute an incredible 45% to the GDP and the country ranks 26th in the number of tourist arrivals per capita, which is a staggering 5.2 tourists per citizen. With news of COVID spreading around the world, the Palauan government responded proactively, first by suspending flights with China, Macau and Hong Kong in February 2020, then with a total flight ban in March. Schools were closed in April, and a 14 day quarantine was introduced for all non-resident arrivals. Amazingly, Palau has already set up a “travel bubble” with Taiwan (allowing travel between the 2 low risk countries) before the first case of COVID hit the country on 31 May 2021, more than a whole year after the pandemic started. Only 2 cases and zero deaths have so far been recorded in Palau.

To date more than 84% of the entire population have been vaccinated. So given the almost complete control over the virus to date, and the importance of tourism to the country, Palau has moved forward and reopened its borders. All tourist arrivals must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative PCR test result or proof or recovery. There are also strict protocols for further testing and self-quarantining in the first few days after arrival. Further information can be found here: Palau Ministry of Health – entry requirements.

Our Palau liveaboard safaris will recommence 12 September 2021. These trips focus on the central region of Palau at world famous sites such as German Channel and Blue Corner, and on the walls and World War II wrecks to the south in Peleliu. Exciting exploratory expeditions to the extremely remote islands in the far south are also planned for the future.

We hope you can join us soon to enjoy the shark- and fish-rich waters of Palau, and to kickstart the lives of the Palauan people once again.