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Making its home in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau is a collection of around 300 Micronesian islands. Many of these are uninhabited and those that are inhabited have managed to avoid overtourism.
Palau is the Pacific Ocean’s little secret with a rich cultural history, unmatched snorkelling and diving, and beautiful island terrain with azure waters and tropical hikes.
And it plans to stay that way, with the island instituting the Palau Pledge – written by the children of Palau – which visitors take upon arrival. Visitors pledge to protect the natural environment and uphold local traditions, to respect the bounty of the surrounding sea that is putting Palau on international travel buzz lists.
Take a plane, take the pledge and take the plunge into the pristine world of Palau.
Immerse yourself in the Palauan culture
Known as Belau to the indigenous Recha d er Belau, Palau has kept its ancient traditions intact. Palauan society is traditionally both matriarchal and matrilineal, with a Council of Chiefs and a parallel council of women who manage land, finances, and the selection of leaders. While men were historically responsible for fishing and warfare, women oversaw the home, educated children and cultivated taro fields.
Today, this rich cultural heritage is still visible, blending traditional practices with modern life.
Experience local culture at one of Palau’s many festivities and celebrations. Visit the annual Olechotel Belau Fair and twice-monthly night markets. Or take a cultural tour where you will learn how to make a traditional hibiscus skirt, dine on a farm-to-table lunch and visit a chief’s meeting house.
Discover the beauty of the islands
The islands of Palau have incredible natural beauty and amazing history. On Ngarchelong you can walk among stone monoliths at one of Palau’s oldest archaeological sites, which traditional stories say were built by the gods.
On Babeldoab Island, visitors can hike their way to jungle waterfalls. Or you can get a bird’s eye view of the island nation by taking a small plane tour of the islands.
Around 75 per cent of Palau is covered in native forest and mangroves with over 100 species of plants and birds recorded.
Not far from Guam, the islands of Palau were taken over by the US in 1944 and a huge battle took place here known as the Battle of Peleliu. Remnants of this fierce fight can be found with crashed aircraft relics in the jungle, fortifications on the wild coastline and WWII wreck dives for ships like the Teshio Maru, Chuyo Maru and the Jake Seaplane.
Snorkel with sharks, manta rays and giant clams
Wherever you go in the waters around Palau you will be surrounded by natural wonders, but the Rock Island Southern Lagoon is special enough to have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. This area is known for its biodiversity with over 700 species of fish, nearly 400 types of coral and 13 species of sharks and manta rays.
Adventurers can also discover this ocean paradise by kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling and diving.
Palau is also one of the few places in the world where visitors can travel on a traditional Micronesian sailboat like the one seen in Disney’s Moana.
Discover Palau
This feature was originally published in Issue 10 of Dream by Luxury Escapes. Images: Josh Burkinshaw, Naomi Seid and Palau Visitors Authority
