Palau
Travelers come to Palau for the limestone Rock Islands, reef diving and the World War II battle sites on Peleliu and Angaur.
Palau is an island republic in the western Pacific, with about 466 square kilometers of land spread across Koror, Babeldaob, Peleliu and Angaur. Koror is the most populous island, home to about two-thirds of the population. Babeldaob, the largest island, holds the capital, Ngerulmud, in Melekeok State. The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, is the main draw for visitors, with limestone islets, lagoon ecosystems and archaeological sites.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are the main activities here, with barrier reef walls and Second World War wrecks to explore. Peleliu and Angaur have historic battle sites and Japanese-era shrines, and Peleliu is also visited to pay respects to those who died in the 1944 battle. Palau suits divers, snorkelers and history-minded travelers. Between islands, most travelers use private boats, domestic flights or cheaper state-run boats, and organized tours often handle the transfers, so allow extra time. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the sunnier stretch, so plan around the wetter months if sunshine and diving conditions matter most.
Five things to know before Palau
- Complete the Palau entry form within 72 hours
Submit the online Palau entry form within 72 hours before you land and keep the confirmation for arrival. Declare cash of USD 10,000 or more and items worth over USD 400 on it. Visas and entry
- Sign the Palau Pledge at the airport
Every visitor signs the Palau Pledge, stamped into the passport. Most passports then get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival; check the visa checker for yours. Visa checker
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen only
Sunscreens with reef-toxic ingredients are banned and confiscated at customs. Bring a mineral sunscreen based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
- Base yourself in Koror for the Rock Islands
Most hotels, dive operators and boats are in Koror. Rock Islands trips need a Koror State permit, which your tour operator usually sells with the trip. Koror guide
- Check the environmental fee is in your ticket
The Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee of USD 100 is included in international airline tickets. Arrivals by sea pay it on arrival.
Palau travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The base for Rock Islands boats, diving and permits.
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules by passport, checked against official pages.
Read the guideVisas and entryThe entry form, the Palau Pledge and visa on arrival.
Read the guideTravel insuranceDive cover, decompression treatment and evacuation.
Read the guidePhones and dataRoaming, local SIM cards and wifi in Koror.
Read the guideMoneyUS dollars, cards in Koror and cash for permits.
Read the guide
Destinations in Palau
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°DrierJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 336 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- FebruaryRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Drier, calmFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 282 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, calm
- MarchRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°DrierMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Showers startAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 312 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers start
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WetterMayRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 431 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WetJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 442 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WettestJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 615 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WettestAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 499 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WetSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 428 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WetOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 439 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wet, easingNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 355 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, easing
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°DrierDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 404 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
Average daily high and low in Koror, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Palau
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 99%
Palau
05:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today30°25°99%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed30°24°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu30°23°84%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Fri30°24°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat30°24°62%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Sun29°24°80%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated 03:23 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Palau
Palau FAQ
Do I need a visa for Palau?
UK, Canadian and Australian passports get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival, extendable. US passports need no visa, and Schengen-state passports can stay up to 90 days in any 180 under an EU visa waiver. Everyone completes the online entry form and signs the Palau Pledge.
Can you swim in Jellyfish Lake?
It depends on the jellyfish numbers, which have crashed and recovered several times. The lake is opened and closed by Koror State, so ask your operator for the current status.
When is the best time to dive Palau?
Diving runs all year. The UK government says rainfall is higher from April to November and peaks in July and August, so December to March is the drier stretch. Conditions vary by site, so ask your operator.
What is the Palau Pledge?
A short promise to behave responsibly toward nature and culture, stamped into your passport on arrival and signed by every visitor.
How do I get to Palau?
The international airport is in Airai on Babeldaob, linked to Koror by a bridge. Airlines and routes change by season, so check current schedules with the carriers.