Palau diving: Blue Corner and Jellyfish Lake
Duration : 10 days
Route : Koror (8 nights, 6 days diving 2x/day) → 1 rest day → return flight
Custom travel to Palau
Palau is one of the planet's most extraordinary natural sanctuaries, 340 Micronesian islands in the western Pacific, of which 250 form the Rock Islands (UNESCO 2012), mushroom-shaped limestone formations emerging from a turquoise lagoon. The archipelago has a turbulent colonial history, Spanish, then German, then Japanese, before becoming a United Nations trust territory administered by the United States until its independence in 1994. This history left deep traces, notably on Peleliu, the site of one of the deadliest battles of the Pacific War in 1944, today reclaimed as a sanctuary of nature and memory. One of the world's most prestigious diving destinations: Blue Corner, ranked world top 5 (hammerhead sharks, manta rays, barracudas), German Channel (manta rays) and Jellyfish Lake, a lake of golden jellyfish that don't sting, accessible by snorkeling. An 18,000-inhabitant country committed to conservation, the Palau Pledge, signed on the passport by every visitor, has been mandatory since 2017. Reserved for experienced divers and lovers of preserved nature.
Highlights
- Rock Islands (UNESCO mixed): 250 mushroom islands
- Blue Corner: world top 5 diving (sharks, rays)
- Jellyfish Lake: swim with non-stinging golden jellyfish
- German Channel: giant manta rays
- Milky Way Lagoon: milky water and white mud
- Peleliu: WWII battlefield and wreck diving
Sample itineraries
Discovery: Rock Islands by kayak
Duration : 8 days
Route : Koror (6 nights, Rock Islands kayak 3 days, snorkeling, Jellyfish Lake) → return flight
Liveaboard diving cruise
Duration : 10 days
Route : Koror (1 night) → Palau Aggressor cruise (7 days, 28 dives) → Koror (1 night) → return flight
When to go
Dry season (November-May): optimal diving visibility, little rain. Wet season (June-October): rain and possible storms, but manta rays more present at German Channel. Avoid July-August (rare but possible typhoons). Water temperature stays stable year-round (28-29 °C), a swimsuit is usually enough without a wetsuit, except for long or repeated dives where a light wetsuit helps guard against the chill.
- Dry season (high) (November – May), Blue Corner, hammerhead sharks
- Wet season (June – October), German Channel (manta rays)
- Manta ray peak (December – March), German Channel manta cleaning station
- Typhoon peak (July – October), Off-season
Practical information
Very safe. No visa for French citizens < 30 days. Palau Pledge mandatory (passport signature on arrival). Reef-safe sunscreen only (oxybenzone banned). USD used. Tap water drinkable. Cards accepted. An environmental exit tax (Green Fee) has been included in air ticket prices since 2018 to fund conservation. ATMs are mainly found in Koror, so bring cash for more remote islands.
Frequently asked questions
When?
November-May (dry season, optimal diving).
How long?
8-10 days minimum for 5-6 days diving.
Budget?
€4,200-€5,800 per person for 8-10 days in comfort, excluding flights. Liveaboard: €8,000-€12,000. Flights: €1,800-€2,800.
Visa?
No for French citizens < 30 days. Palau Pledge mandatory to sign on arrival.
Required diving level?
Open Water+ for most sites. Advanced+ recommended for Blue Corner (strong currents) and German Channel.
Jellyfish Lake: risk?
None. Golden jellyfish have lost stinging ability (isolated from Pacific 12,000 years). Snorkeling only (diving forbidden).
Non-diving?
Yes, Rock Islands kayak, Jellyfish Lake snorkeling, Milky Way Lagoon, hidden beaches. 7 days enough for non-divers.
Allowed sunscreen?
Reef-safe only (without oxybenzone, octinoxate). Bring yours or buy locally.
Combine?
Yes: Palau + Japan (Tokyo stopover), Palau + Philippines (Manila), Palau + Taiwan (Taipei).
Tips?
Yes, 10-15% in restaurants (American heritage, USD used).
How do I stay connected (phone and internet)?
A local prepaid SIM card (Palau Mobile or PNCC) can be bought at the airport or shops in Koror and covers Koror and the main nearby dive sites reasonably well. Wifi is available in most hotels but remains slower than Western standards, worth planning for if you need to stay reachable for work.
What should I pack for a diving trip to Palau?
Your up-to-date dive log and medical certificate, your own gear if you have it (mask, regulator, dive computer), a light wetsuit (3 mm is generally enough), mandatory reef-safe sunscreen, light clothing and a light layer for evenings on the boat, and a waterproof pouch for your electronics.