Rock Islands
Four hundred and forty-five green domes of limestone rising from a turquoise lagoon, with salt lakes hidden inside them and the stone foundations of villages abandoned some three centuries ago.
- Arrival
- Palau International · ROR
- To the islands
- About 20 km by boat from Koror
- Private jets
- ROR open 24 hours; prior permission required
- Best time
- February to April
The city
A lagoon listed by UNESCO in 2012.
The Southern Lagoon covers some 100,000 hectares of reef, channel and uninhabited island, all of it within Koror State. Its 52 marine lakes are the greatest concentration known anywhere, and the reefs around them hold more than 385 species of coral and some 750 of fish.
People lived here for about three thousand years, leaving stone village terraces, burial sites and rock art before the last settlements were abandoned in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A Rock Island permit, valid for five days, is bought in Koror before the boats leave.
- Jellyfish Lake A marine lake of golden jellyfish, with a separate five-day permit; their numbers have fallen sharply in warm years.
- The marine lakes Fifty-two enclosed salt lakes scattered through the islands, the highest density anywhere.
- The old villages Stonework terraces, graves and rock art left by communities who lived on the islands for three millennia.
Arriving
Land at Airai, then take to the water.
There is no runway in the lagoon. Aircraft land at Palau International, at Airai on Babeldaob, and the islands are reached by boat from Koror, about 20 km from the centre of the site.
- Manila 2 h 30
- Taipei 3 h 30
- Ho Chi Minh City 4 h 20
- Bangkok 5 h 10
- Dubai 11 h 20 long-range jet
When to go
February to April.
Highs reach 31 °C in every month and the water is 28 to 29 °C. February to April are the driest months on the long-term record; showers are most frequent from July to October.
- 31° J 281 28°
- 31° F 202 28°
- 31° M 189 28°
- 31° A 220 29°
- 31° M 308 29°
- 31° J 397 29°
- 31° J 423 29°
- 31° A 379 29°
- 31° S 316 29°
- 31° O 335 29°
- 31° N 272 29°
- 31° D 301 29°
Where to stay
In Koror, a boat ride from the lagoon.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
-
Palau Royal Resort The nearer of the two to the Rock Islands: a five-star resort of 158 rooms and suites on Malakal’s east coast.
-
Palau Pacific Resort The country’s largest hotel, with 172 rooms, among them seven villas with private pools and five bungalows built over the water.
Where to dine
Back in Koror for dinner.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Palau. Elilai holds a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award for 2025; Meduu Ribtal is the fine-dining room of the Palau Pacific Resort.
- Elilai Seaside Restaurant Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 Seafood $$$$ Medalaii, Koror, about 18 km from the lagoon
- Meduu Ribtal Signature restaurant, Palau Pacific Resort Seafood and prime rib Palau Pacific Resort, Ngerkebesang, about 18 km from the lagoon
Elsewhere in Palau
More reasons to come.
Flying to Rock Islands?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.