A popular tourist attraction in Palau is the Rock Islands, which have been recognized by UNESCO for their stunning beauty. While some visitors prefer to view the islands from a scenic flight, another enjoyable way to experience them is by taking a boat tour.
During a speed boat tour to the Rock Islands of Palau, there are plenty of enjoyable activities to partake in. These include swimming in a vibrant turquoise lagoon known as the Milky Way, strolling along a smooth white sandbar named Long Beach, and snorkeling in a lake teeming with harmless jellyfish.
This guide provides information on how to visit the Palau Rock Islands by boat, such as recommended tour companies, pricing, a map of the islands, and top activities to do on a day trip from Koror.
1) Top Rock Islands Palau Excursion
2) Location of the Rock Islands
3) Exciting Activities in the Rock Islands of Palau
4) Palau Rock Islands Map
5) Fees for Conservation of the Rock Islands
6) Guidelines for Flying Drones in the Palau Rock Islands
7) Essential Items to Bring for the Boat Tour
8) Additional Suggestions for Visiting the Palau Rock Islands
9) Ideal Time to Explore the Rock Islands
10) Interesting Facts About the Rock Islands of Palau
11) Scenic Flight Over the Rock Islands in Palau
12) More Guides for Traveling to Palau.
Experience the Best of Palau's Rock Islands on a Highly-Rated Tour
Explore the stunning Rock Islands of Palau on a full-day boat tour with Viator, which takes you to all the must-see attractions in the area.
Join this tour for a day of exploring and swimming at popular spots like the Milky Way and Jellyfish Lake. The package includes lunch, snorkel gear, and convenient hotel transportation in Koror. Expect 5 to 8 hours of sightseeing and water activities.
Please remember that the schedule may vary due to factors like the tide and other conditions, so it's a good idea to confirm with your tour company if there's a specific place you really want to visit before your trip.
We have utilized Viator for numerous tours and activities worldwide, and we have had a great experience. We highly recommend their services!
Reserve your spot now for a tour of the Rock Islands
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The Rock Islands can be found approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of the main island of Koror in Palau, making them easily accessible by boat.
Traveling by speedboat allows you to reach attractions such as the Milky Way in under half an hour, while destinations like Long Beach are just a short distance away.
The Palau Rock Islands are known for their incredibly stunning landscapes and are considered one of the most beautiful places in the world
Top Activities to Enjoy in the Rock Islands of Palau
Discover some of the most exciting attractions and activities to experience in the stunning Rock Islands of Palau.
While this list is not exhaustive, these are some of the key attractions you can expect to see on a day-long boat tour in the islands.
The Milky Way is a stunning natural pool located in the Rock Islands, known for its exceptionally bright turquoise water.
This location is well-known for its mudbath experience, where visitors can apply white limestone mud to their face and body, believed to have positive effects on the skin. The tours include the mudpack and is enjoyable for people of all ages.
We spent around half an hour at the Milky Way, relaxing in the light-colored water. The lagoon was very enjoyable.
Drifting in the vibrant blue waters of the Milky Way's lagoon.
A photo taken by a drone showing the Milky Way galaxy from a high vantage point. Can you spot
• Jellyfish Lake
Jellyfish Lake is a popular attraction in Palau where visitors can swim alongside countless jellyfish that do not sting.
In this lake, there are two types of jellyfish: the golden jellyfish and the moon jellyfish. These jellyfish pose no threat to humans as they are unable to sting.
In Palau, you have the unique opportunity to snorkel near the surface of the lake with jellyfish, which is a rare experience only available in a few locations worldwide.
Prior to your trip to Jellyfish Lake, it is important to confirm with your tour company if the lake is currently accessible and open to visitors.
Regrettably, during my visit to Palau in 2023, I noticed a decrease in jellyfish numbers due to the impact of El Niño and La Niña weather patterns. These weather patterns led to the deaths of many golden jellyfish in the lake, as the temperature became too warm for them to survive.
Fortunately, it is expected that the population of jellyfish will recover and return to their usual levels in the near future.
Visitors have the unique opportunity to swim alongside harmless jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake in Palau.
• Long Beach
Long Beach is a sandbar located in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon that is visible only when the tide is low. It was a spot that I really enjoyed in the Rock Islands, and I wished I could have spent the whole day there.
After getting off the boat in the shallow water, we walked to the end of the sandbar and then back, taking around 30 minutes to admire the views at Long Beach. The sandbar stretches for nearly 1 kilometer (equivalent to 1/2 mile) when fully visible.
I have visited many beautiful sandbars in different countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, but I must admit that this particular sandbar is one of the most impressive ones I have seen. The water here is peaceful and stunning, while the sand is incredibly white and bright.
Strolling along the sandy area at Long Beach.
Aerial photograph of the sandbar in Long Beach captured by a
The German Channel is a man-made water passage constructed by the Germans in World War II for ships to navigate through the reef. Today, it is a popular spot for scuba diving due to its depth of 40 meters (130 feet).
I believe that the channel is best viewed from a scenic plane ride, but some boat tours also stop briefly at this spot for visitors to see.
The water has a stunning blue color, and if you're fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of sharks or manta rays gliding through the waterway.
• Babelomekang Island
Once visitors have finished exploring the Rock Islands for a few hours, tour guides usually take them to a location for lunch.
During our tour, we stopped for lunch at Babelomekang, a beautiful paradise island instead of Carp Island Resort. The tour guide provided us with a Bento box, a Japanese set meal containing rice, chicken, spring roll, orange, vegetables, and other items.
The island was peaceful, with a beautiful white sand beach, trees providing shade, and ample space for walking. We spent approximately an hour on the island, enjoying our lunch and then unwinding on the beach.
The shoreline on Babelomekang Island.
An ideal spot to take a break and grab a meal!
• Places for Snorkeling
Finally, we dedicated 1 to 2 hours to snorkeling in various locations near the reef, with one standout spot known as the Cemetery.
Palau offers numerous fantastic snorkeling spots throughout the Rock Islands, providing a wide range of options for tour destinations.
I didn't capture any photos while snorkeling because I didn't have my underwater camera with me. However, I saw sea turtles, along with plenty of beautiful fish and coral that were in surprisingly good shape.
Discover the top attractions and activities in the Rock Islands of Palau with this map. Explore popular sights such as the Milky Way, Jellyfish Lake, and Long Beach by clicking on the icons for more information.
Please remember that each tour has a unique schedule, which means you may not have enough time to visit all of these places in just one day.
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Palau mandates that tourists visiting the Rock Islands by boat must obtain a conservation permit. This permit must be purchased separately from the tour fee, but many tour companies offer the option to purchase it on the day of the tour.
Starting in 2025, the fees for permits are outlined below:
You only have to purchase one permit, either the more expensive one for visiting the Jellyfish Lake or the cheaper one for other activities. Children under 6 do not require a permit.
You can use the permits for 10 days, which means you can revisit the Rock Islands within that time without needing to purchase another permit. Just make sure you don't misplace your permit!
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The Rock Islands have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012
Is it possible to operate a drone in the Rock Islands of Palau? Yes, it is allowed, but you must obtain a permit beforehand. To do so, you can submit an application for a drone permit through the Palau Visitors Authority's official website.
Completing the application is simple and does not cost anything. All you have to do is provide your name, nationality, and other personal information, as well as the date and reason for your drone flight. If you are flying for recreational purposes, you can simply state that it is for hobby photography.
Make sure to review the regulations for drones on that website. Flights are restricted to a maximum altitude of 120 meters (400 feet) and must be within the operator's direct line of sight. Additionally, it is important to avoid flying near airplanes or airports.
In my situation, the permit was approved within 1 hour, but they suggest applying at least 3 days beforehand to ensure there is ample time for processing the permit.
Once you have been given approval, it is important to inform your Rock Island tour company and keep a copy of your permit handy to avoid any confusion on the day of your boat tour.
In the Rock Islands, there are many great locations for flying a drone, but personally, I found Long Beach to be the best. The view from above of the sandbar is really impressive!
By obtaining a drone permit, you can take stunning photos of the Rock Islands.
Suggestions for items to pack for your day trip to the Rock Islands.
Strolling along the shoreline of a
More advice for exploring the Palau Rock Islands.
The sandy area at Long Beach
The Rock Islands in Palau can be visited at any time of year, as there is consistent rainfall throughout. The months of January to April tend to be the driest in Koror and the Rock Islands, but they still experience a significant amount of rain during this time.
I wouldn't stress about it too much, as the rain usually comes in the evening or at night. There's no way to ensure perfect weather whenever you decide to go.
In September, I traveled to Palau, a month known for being rainy. However, during my visit, the weather was ideal with no rain for several days, making it easy for me to explore without any disruptions.
Interesting Information about the Rock Islands in Palau
Experience the beauty of Palau!
A popular activity for tourists in Palau is taking a scenic flight over the Rock Islands, which offers stunning views of one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific.
Pacific Mission Aviation provides flights where the doors are removed for passengers to enjoy a unique overhead perspective of Koror. The flight also offers breathtaking sights of numerous beautiful islands, lakes, and lagoons in Palau.
While I had a great time exploring the Rock Islands on a boat, the scenic flight was even more impressive. If you can afford it and have the time, I recommend trying both activities. Even though the boat tour and scenic flight offer unique experiences, they are both amazing in their own way.
Explore the scenic beauty of the Palau Rock Islands from above by taking a
When you visit Palau, make sure to take a scenic flight over the Rock Islands!
Additional guides for traveling in Palau are available. I appreciate you taking the time to read this guide on exploring the Rock Islands of Palau on a boat tour. This was a memorable experience for me in the small country of Palau.
Make sure to take a look at my Palau Travel Guide before your trip!
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Personal Introduction
Hello! My name is David Leiter, an American who has been traveling around the world non-stop for the past 9 years. My wife, Intan, and I spend most of our time in Bali, our second home, but we also visit various destinations across the globe. Join us on our adventures!
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