Palau / Koror Cruise Port Guide

My Palau Day – A First-Person Account

When the ship docked in Koror harbor and I saw those 445 mushroom-shaped limestone islands rising from turquoise waters like ancient guardians, I understood why Palau scores a perfect 5.0 – this is what Eden must have looked like before the fall.

I started my day floating among millions of golden jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, their pulsing bodies brushing my arms like gentle kisses from the sea itself. The lake is a marine sanctuary where stingless jellies migrate across the water following the sun, and swimming among them felt like drifting through liquid amber light. The warmth of the sun on my back, the silky caress of jellyfish tentacles that can't sting, the absolute silence broken only by my breathing – I've never felt so welcomed by creation.

After Jellyfish Lake, I kayaked through the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon – a UNESCO World Heritage Site where limestone islands create hidden lagoons, sea caves, and emerald channels. My guide pointed out ancient rock art on cave walls and traditional Bai meeting houses with their painted wooden beams telling stories older than my grandfather's grandfather.

Lunch was fresh tuna poke and taro at a waterfront shack in Koror where locals greeted me with genuine warmth. The afternoon belonged to the Milky Way lagoon, where I slathered myself in white mineral-rich mud that locals swear makes you look ten years younger. Whether it worked or not, floating in that milky-blue water feeling like a baptized ghost was pure joy.

Port Essentials

Koror is Palau's main town and cruise port, compact and walkable with tour operators right at the dock. The currency is the US Dollar, so no exchange needed for Americans. Palau was the first country to ban reef-toxic sunscreen – bring mineral-based (zinc or titanium dioxide) or you'll have to buy it here. And yes, you'll stamp your passport with the Palau Pledge, an environmental commitment that feels less like bureaucracy and more like joining a sacred covenant to protect this place.

Top Experiences in Palau

1. Jellyfish Lake – Swimming with Stingless Golden Jellies

The bucket-list experience: millions of golden jellyfish that evolved without stinging cells because they have no natural predators. You hike through jungle, then float in a marine lake surrounded by pulsing amber clouds. It's otherworldly, meditative, and unlike anything else on earth. Note: populations fluctuate seasonally; check locally before you go.

2. Rock Islands Southern Lagoon – UNESCO Kayaking Paradise

445 limestone islands covered in jungle vegetation create a maze of hidden lagoons, sea caves, and white-sand beaches. Kayak through turquoise channels, explore caves with ancient Palauan rock art, and beach-hop on deserted shores where the only footprints are yours. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a masterclass in why God loves shapes and colors.

3. Blue Corner & German Channel – World-Class Diving

If you dive, Palau is Mecca. Blue Corner offers drift diving with swirling schools of barracuda, sharks, and napoleon wrasse in electric-blue currents. German Channel is manta ray cleaning station heaven – I watched a dozen mantas glide overhead like underwater angels. Even if you don't dive, snorkeling here rivals diving most other places.

4. Milky Way Lagoon – Natural Mud Spa

A shallow lagoon with soft white limestone mud on the bottom that Palauans have used for skincare for generations. Slather yourself head-to-toe, float in the milky-blue water, rinse off, and emerge glowing. It's equal parts spa treatment and silly fun – I looked like a clay golem but felt like a sea goddess.

5. Peleliu Island – WWII Battle Site

History buffs shouldn't miss Peleliu, site of one of the Pacific War's bloodiest battles. Rusted tanks, Japanese bunkers, and memorials sit in quiet jungle. The underwater wrecks – Japanese ships and planes resting on the reef – are now artificial reefs teeming with life. It's a sobering reminder that even the machines of war become gardens of grace given enough time.

6. Ngardmau Waterfall – Tallest in Palau

A jungle trek leads to Palau's tallest waterfall cascading into a cool swimming hole. The hike is humid and muddy but worth it – standing under that thundering curtain of water with orchids clinging to the rocks and parrots calling overhead, I felt like I'd stepped into Genesis.

Getting Around

Most experiences require boat tours – book directly at the port or pre-arrange with operators like Sam's Tours or Fish 'n Fins. Rock Islands tours (including Jellyfish Lake and Milky Way) are full-day excursions starting around $150–200. Diving trips start around $100–150 for two tanks. For land-based exploring, rent a car ($50/day) or hire a taxi for Koror sightseeing and the Ngardmau waterfall hike. Everything is close – the entire archipelago is intimate and navigable.

Local Food & Drink

Palauan cuisine blends Micronesian, Filipino, and Japanese flavors. Try taro (staple root vegetable served steamed or mashed), fruit bat soup (adventurous eaters only – it's a local delicacy), fresh tuna poke, red snapper grilled with coconut, and taro leaves in coconut milk. Wash it down with fresh young coconut water or a Red Rooster beer. The Taj restaurant in Koror serves excellent Micronesian fusion, while Drop Off Bar & Grill offers sunset views with your seafood platter.

Pro Tips for Palau

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen – Reef-toxic products are banned and confiscated. Look for mineral-based zinc or titanium dioxide formulas.
• Sign the Palau Pledge – Every visitor gets a passport stamp pledging environmental stewardship. It's a beautiful ritual; take it seriously.
• Book tours in advance – Especially Jellyfish Lake and dive trips. Operators fill up, and you don't want to miss this.
• Bring waterproof camera – You'll want photos of the jellies, mantas, and underwater wrecks. A GoPro or underwater housing is essential.
• Respect WWII sites – Don't remove artifacts or climb on memorials. These are sacred spaces for those who fought and died here.
• Check jellyfish season – Populations peak November to May. The lake occasionally closes for environmental monitoring.

Depth Soundings Ashore: Palau is remote and pristine, which means limited medical facilities and expensive everything – budget accordingly and bring travel insurance. The humidity is intense and the sun fierce; stay hydrated and slather on that reef-safe sunscreen every hour.

Frequently Asked Questions