Why Palau for a Honeymoon
Palau is one of the best places on earth for underwater adventure. Even if you have never dived, snorkeling here puts you among giant clams, turtles and schools of fish over coral gardens a few feet below the surface. Divers come for the drift dives, where currents carry you along walls teeming with sharks, barracuda and Napoleon wrasse.
Above water, the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boat days here involve hidden beaches, kayaking through narrow channels and swimming in the Milky Way, a cove where fine white limestone mud makes the water glow pale blue. Jellyfish Lake, where you can swim among millions of stingless golden jellyfish when conditions allow, is a rare experience.
Palau also uses the dollar, speaks English and has a close relationship with the US through the Compact of Free Association. That makes logistics easier than in many Pacific destinations.
Best Time to Visit
Palau is warm year-round, with temperatures that hover in the 80s and water close to the same. The main difference between seasons is rain.
The drier stretch runs from about December or January through April. Seas are calmer, visibility is excellent and outdoor trips are more predictable. February through April is the peak for many divers and the best time for a honeymoon focused on the water.
From roughly June to October, Palau gets more rain, especially in July, August and September. Showers often come in bursts rather than all-day downpours. Diving remains good, but rough seas can cancel some boat trips. Palau lies south of the main typhoon belt, so direct hits are uncommon, though storms passing nearby can still bring heavy weather.
May and November are reasonable shoulder months. Asian holiday periods, including Lunar New Year and Japan's Golden Week in late April and early May, can push up prices and fill hotels.
Where to Go
Koror is the hub. Most hotels, restaurants and dive shops are here or on nearby islands linked by causeways. Spend an afternoon at the Belau National Museum and the Etpison Museum to understand Palauan history and storyboard carving.
The Rock Islands are the heart of any trip, with snorkeling, diving, kayaking and secluded beaches. Our Rock Islands guide covers how to plan your days on the water and where to stay.
Babeldaob, the large island north of Koror, is greener and quieter. Highlights include Ngardmau Waterfall, often described as the largest in Micronesia. The Badrulchau stone monoliths are ancient basalt columns of uncertain origin facing the sea.
Peleliu, to the south, was the site of a brutal World War II battle in 1944. Tanks, caves and memorials remain. The State Department advises extra caution because of unexploded ordnance and limited medical care.
Kayangel, a remote atoll to the north, has empty beaches and a simple, traditional way of life.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Koror, often late at night. Head to your hotel and rest.
Day 2: Take it slow. Swim at your hotel beach, then visit the Belau National Museum and have dinner overlooking the water.
Day 3: Join a Rock Islands snorkel tour with stops at the Milky Way, a reef garden and a beach for lunch.
Day 4: Swim in Jellyfish Lake if it is open, then kayak through the channels nearby.
Days 5–6: Dive Blue Corner, German Channel and the Blue Holes, or book a private boat for snorkeling and quiet beaches.
Day 7: Drive to Babeldaob for Ngardmau Waterfall, the stone monoliths and the capitol building at Ngerulmud.
Day 8: Take a day trip to Peleliu for the World War II sites, or spend the day doing nothing at all.
Day 9: Kayak or paddleboard in the morning and treat yourselves to a sunset cruise.
Day 10: Fly out through Guam, Tokyo or Taipei.
Budget and Costs
Palau is not a cheap destination. Flights are long, most goods are imported and the tourist industry is small. The figures below are approximate.
Round trip flights from the US to Koror via Guam or Asia often cost between about $1,500 and $3,000 per person in economy, depending on your departure city and season.
Comfortable resort hotels in Koror often range from roughly $200 to $500 per night. Budget guesthouses exist, though they are basic. Liveaboard dive boats, which let you sleep near the best sites, generally cost several thousand dollars per person for a week.
A guided Rock Islands snorkel day usually runs around $100 to $150 per person. Two-tank boat dives commonly cost around $150 or more. On top of that, you will need a Koror State permit for the Rock Islands, usually sold through your tour operator, with a higher-priced version that includes Jellyfish Lake.
Getting There and Around
Palau International Airport (ROR) sits on Babeldaob, about 20 to 30 minutes by road from Koror. United is the key airline for US travelers, connecting to Koror through Guam, where you can arrive from Honolulu or Tokyo. United has also added flights from Tokyo Narita to Koror. Other carriers serve Palau from Taipei, Manila and Seoul at various times. Charter flights come and go, so compare options when you book.
Flights from Guam take about two hours. Many arrivals land late at night, so arrange your hotel transfer in advance.
In Koror, taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Most hotels provide shuttles into town. Renting a car makes sense if you want to explore Babeldaob on your own. Traffic drives on the right, roads are generally good on the main routes and speed limits are low.
All Rock Islands trips run by boat, typically leaving from Koror harbors in the morning and returning in the afternoon.
Culture and Etiquette
Palau is a matrilineal society. Clan membership and land pass through the mother's line. Women hold important traditional roles alongside the chiefs. Respect for elders and for customary authority runs deep.
The bai, or traditional meeting house, is a central symbol of Palauan culture. Its painted gables tell stories of local legends. Visitors can see restored examples, such as the bai at Airai on Babeldaob, but ask permission before entering.
Dress modestly away from the beach and resort. Swimwear is for the water. In villages it is best to cover shoulders and knees.
The Palau Pledge is more than a formality. It commits you to avoid touching coral, feeding fish, chasing wildlife and taking anything that does not belong to you. Guides will hold you to it. Fines apply for breaking environmental laws.
Palauans are friendly and soft-spoken. A smile and a word of thanks, or alii for hello, are always welcome.
Quick tips
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen; Palau bans sunscreens containing ingredients considered harmful to coral.
- Do not drink the tap water; buy bottled or use a filter bottle.
- Book dives and Rock Islands tours a few days ahead in the dry season, when the best boats fill up.
