Palau Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking

Praised as one of the world’s last Edens by National Geographic, Palau has a superabundance of reef fish and coral life that is astounding—more than 700 coral species and over 1,500 species of pelagic and reef fish—and this incredible ecosystem is remarkably intact, thanks to the long-held conservation ethic woven into Palau’s traditional culture. In the phenomenally scenic Rock Islands, we’ve created an utterly unique route that leads us through this spectacular archipelago, and we experience world-class snorkeling as we explore magnificent habitats from shallow coral gardens and a lake full of jellyfish to dramatic outer reef walls that descend to depths of more than a thousand feet. Our private beach camps, where we enjoy delicious barbecues, crimson sunsets, and amazing star-gazing, provide us with special access to this Pacific paradise. We take just nine participants, so sign up early!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Koror, Palau / Ulong Island

We meet in Koror and the next day, head out to Ulong Island for an introductory snorkel and a picnic on its white-sand beach. On our way back to Koror we stop in Tarzan Bay to look for bizarre creatures like the vertically swimming shrimpfish and the predator known as the crocodile fish.

Days 3-4
Rock Islands: Nikko Bay / Risong Bay

The wondrous Rock Islands are some 200 jungle-clad limestone peaks rising high out of Palau’s serene lagoon like huge emeralds floating on a cerulean sea. This protected marine reserve is best explored by kayak and snorkel, and our special route immerses us in a glorious world of jewel-colored parrotfish, dazzling sea anemones, and old-growth coral gardens, snorkeling at sites like Blue Devil Gardens, with its swirls of Palau’s unique bright blue damselfish. Our private beach camp has great birding and exotic night sounds (endemic owls and burrowing frogs!).

Days 5-6
Rock Islands: Milky Way / Long Lake

We snorkel amid giant table corals and dense stands of staghorn corals, look for bright-colored angelfish and butterfly fish, and paddle through a special cove known as The Milky Way for its unusually white waters. On the islands themselves, we may spot birds such as sulfur-crested cockatoos and Palauan fantails. A day’s excursion takes us to Long Lake, where a rushing current carries our kayaks through the crystal-clear waters of a mangrove forest alive with birdsong.

Days 7-8
Rock Islands: Jellyfish Lake / Big Drop-Off

Otherworldly Jellyfish Lake is home to millions of soft, non-stinging jellyfish, some as small as dimes, and we snorkel in wonder among them as they bounce off us like underwater snowflakes! We also snorkel the legendary Big Drop-Off, one of the most sought-after snorkel sites in the world, where a sheer wall plunges nearly a thousand feet deep. The Big Drop-Off teems with large marine life including rays, turtles, and massive schools of fish—a technicolor garden alive with swirls of tube sponges, fan corals, Moorish idols, harlequin crabs, pyramid butterflyfish, square anthias, sergeant majors, and yellowtail fusiliers. Our private outer-reef beach camp gives us direct access to this phenomenal place.

Days 9-11
Carp Island / Peleliu / Koror

We bid farewell to the Rock Islands and paddle to our beach bungalows at Carp Island, a tranquil resort with its own mile-long beach. We head to scenic Peleliu to visit a few World War II battle sites before returning to Koror for departure on Day 11.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. It is relaxed enough to allow ample time for photography, snorkeling, extra paddling, and beachcombing. The Trip Leader gives a daily background briefing on the natural history of each area we explore, including its geology, birding, reef fish, coral reef ecology, or archaeology. During our six nights on the Rock Islands, we are supported by a motor-launch boat. Amenities at our Rock Island beach camps include walk-in tents, toilet tent, solar shower, and a dining tent with table and chairs. Multi-course meals, including fresh fruits, salads, and wine, are served, and cold beer and sodas are available. Typical breakfasts may include fresh papaya, pineapple, eggs, pancakes, or Palauan specialties; lunch is usually picnic style, featuring sandwiches and tropical fruits; dinner is usually a delicious barbecue with fresh-grilled fish or chicken, vegetables, and baked local desserts. When we are away from camp, our meals are picnic style. Our support boat goes ahead to each new campsite with our gear so that our new camp is set up and awaiting us on arrival. Campsites are chosen for their beauty and/or access to fantastic snorkeling. Our days of physical activity will fuel good appetites, and our two camp cooks provide delicious repasts.

Our days are spent kayaking through gorgeous, crystal-clear turquoise waters, snorkeling, hiking to sites of interest, birdwatching, swimming, and relaxing on untouched beaches. On most days, we paddle for four to five hours, although usually not more than an hour at a time, interspersed with snorkeling and other activities. The paddling distances are short, and we cover a linear distance of no more that 30 miles during our seven paddling days.

The journey is designed to offer an enjoyable vacation—you need not have done any previous kayaking. On any given trip, however, it is impossible to predict what the weather will have in store and it often varies with each successive day. In general, we choose routes that are largely protected from high winds and strong currents, and we run the trips at the times of year when the weather is most reliable. We also adapt our daily schedule to local conditions. The Trip Leader will present each day's combination of paddling, snorkeling, and hiking activities based on the prevailing conditions. If the paddling ends up being easier than you had expected, you will have the option of doing some extra kayaking or hiking in the afternoon after we reach camp. If it turns out to be more difficult than you had expected, you can opt out of kayaking for that day and ride along in the support boat. We have welcomed both beginner and experienced paddlers on this trip, and they have found sea kayaking to be a fantastic way to experience the wonders of Palau.
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Explanation of Trip Levels