Why Honeymoon in the Rock Islands
Few places deliver this much natural spectacle in a single lagoon. On a typical boat day you might snorkel a reef with giant clams the size of armchairs, float in a channel where eagle rays glide past and lie on a beach where the only footprints are your own.
The Rock Islands also hold unusual places that exist almost nowhere else. Jellyfish Lake, on the island of Eil Malk, is home to millions of stingless golden jellyfish that rise toward the surface each day following the sun. The Milky Way is a sheltered cove where guides scoop pale limestone mud from the bottom so visitors can coat themselves for a natural spa treatment.
For divers, sites such as Blue Corner and German Channel are among the most celebrated in the Pacific. For non-divers, the snorkeling is just as rewarding. Shared, that sense of discovery makes a honeymoon here hard to match.
When to Go
The best time for the Rock Islands is roughly December through April, Palau's drier season. Seas tend to be calmer, visibility is high and boat trips run reliably. February to April is especially popular with divers.
From about June to October, rain increases and seas can turn choppy, especially on the more exposed outer reefs. Many trips still run. Rain often falls in short bursts, but expect occasional cancellations and lower visibility after heavy storms. Typhoons rarely hit Palau directly, though nearby storms can bring strong winds.
May and November work as shoulder months with fewer crowds.
Tides matter more than seasons for some sites. Long Beach, a sandbar that links two islands, appears only at low tide. Blue Corner is best on an incoming tide, when sharks gather in the current. Good operators plan around these tides, so ask what is on the schedule each day.
Where to Stay
Koror is the base for almost all Rock Islands trips. The town and its nearby islands, connected by causeways, hold the hotels, restaurants and dive shops.
Palau Pacific Resort, on Arakabesang Island, is one of Palau's best-known beach resorts, with a private white-sand beach and a reef just offshore. Palau Royal Resort on Malakal sits next to the harbor where many boats depart, making early starts easy. Smaller hotels and guesthouses in central Koror offer simpler rooms at lower prices.
For dedicated divers, a liveaboard puts you right at the sites. Boats such as the Palau Aggressor and Ocean Hunter run week-long itineraries with multiple dives a day, cabins for couples and meals on board. Book well in advance for the dry season.
There is no lodging on the Rock Islands. Some operators can arrange a night of beach camping on a designated island with the proper permit, which makes a memorable adventure.
Romantic Things to Do
Book a full-day snorkel tour that visits the Milky Way, a reef garden and a beach for lunch. Smear each other with the white mud, rinse in the lagoon and laugh about it for the rest of the trip.
Swim in Jellyfish Lake if it is open. The walk over the ridge is short but steep. The lake is calm and warm, filled with soft golden jellyfish that bump gently against you.
Divers should not miss Blue Corner, where you clip a reef hook onto the wall and watch gray reef sharks, barracuda and turtles hang in the current. German Channel draws manta rays to cleaning stations. Chandelier Cave, close to Koror, has air pockets inside the rock.
Rent kayaks and explore the channels around Nikko Bay, where caves, arches and mangroves are easy to reach from town.
End a day with a private sunset boat trip or a quiet walk on Long Beach at low tide.
Getting There and Around
Fly into Palau International Airport (ROR) on Babeldaob. United connects from Guam. Guam is reached from Honolulu or Tokyo. United has also added service between Tokyo Narita and Koror. Other connections run through Taipei and Manila. From the airport, Koror is a drive of about 20 to 30 minutes. Most hotels arrange transfers.
All travel within the Rock Islands is by boat. Tour operators and dive shops pick you up from your hotel or meet you at harbors in Koror and Malakal. Day trips typically leave in the morning and return mid to late afternoon.
Permits are required. A Koror State Rock Islands permit covers most sites. A higher-priced version adds Jellyfish Lake. Your operator usually sells and checks them. Carry yours on every trip.
Private charters cost more but let you set your own pace and avoid crowds at popular stops. They make a fine splurge for a honeymoon.
Food and Drink
Lunch on a Rock Islands tour is usually a bento box, a Japanese legacy, eaten under the trees on a beach. It is simple but feels like a feast after a morning in the water.
Back in Koror, seafood is the highlight. Sashimi, grilled fish and poke appear on many menus, reflecting Japanese, American and local influences. The Drop Off Bar and Grill is a popular waterfront spot for fresh fish and a cold drink after diving.
Try local foods when you get the chance: taro, tapioca, mangrove crab and coconut crab, though the last is protected at certain times and sizes, so ask before ordering. Fruit bat soup is the famous Palauan dish that adventurous eaters seek out.
Palau has its own craft beer, Red Rooster, from a small brewery in Koror. Smoothies made with tropical fruit are another treat. Tap water is not safe to drink, so stick to bottled or filtered water.
Honeymoon Tips
Use only reef-safe sunscreen. Palau has banned sunscreens containing ingredients considered harmful to coral. Products that break the rules can be confiscated. A rash guard is even better for long days in the sun.
Book your boat trips early in the dry season. The best operators and private boats fill up, especially for Blue Corner and Jellyfish Lake days.
Follow the Palau Pledge in the water. Do not touch or stand on coral, feed fish or chase turtles.
The State Department advises increased caution in the Rock Islands because emergency medical care is limited and evacuation can be slow. Choose operators with good safety records, life jackets and radios. Do not drink alcohol before swimming or diving.
Saltwater crocodiles live in some mangrove areas, though encounters are rare. Swim where your guide says it is safe.
Finally, protect your eyes and skin. The reflection off the lagoon is intense, so bring polarized sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.