Palau Attractions |
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| PALAU ATTRACTIONS Nature in Palau Few places on earth can match the astonishing natural beauty of Palau. It is where, simply to commence our journey of discovery, fantastic flora and fauna flourish unabated. Rare orchids, plants and vines embellish the islands' lush jungle interiors, and they are, in uncannily poetic turn, located on lands strewn with awe-inspiring tropical vistas. Splendid waterfalls such as the largest one on Palau, Ngardmau, can be reached after a serene trek through the jungle. Each presides majestically over their respective natural domains, and along the way to any one of them, captivating endemic birds and plants proliferate. The Rock Islands Located in the most southwestern corner of Micronesia, the Palau archipelago is 815 miles southeast of Guam. Nearly 700 miles from the equator, Palau holds a diversity of terrain from jungle to savanna. A tropical climate with moderate humidity, Palau enjoys a pleasantly warm climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Palau boasts more than 400 islands. The tiny uninhabited islets known as the Rock Islands are part of Palau's magical charm. A natural phenomenon, many of the Rock Islands are mushroom shaped limestone formations capped with a crown of lush green tropical vegetation. Scuba diving is the main attraction in Palau and is regarded as having the finest wall diving in all of Micronesia. Ngemelis Drop-Off is a breathtaking wall of sheer diving ecstasy that begins at a depth of 2 feet and drops vertically to 900 feet. The dive site is a supermarket of marine life for both the photographer and fish watcher. Jellyfish Lake is perhaps the most fascinating snorkeling site in Palau. The lake is dominated by one particular type of marine life: a stingless form of jellyfish. Hundreds of thousands of the creatures move around the lake in one giant school massed together in an awesome pulsing cloud. Swimming among the thousands of harmless jellyfish is one of the most spellbinding experiences a diver can imagine. Palau's diversity also lies in its activities, which include kayaking, sportsfighing, hiking, World War II relic sightseeing, and land tours to sites of cultural and historical importance, such as Stone Monoliths or Ancient Terraces. Much more is awaiting the adventure seeker as the 52-mile road is near completion on Babeldaob, the second largest island in Micronesia. Diving in Palau Visualize diving amid gentle manta rays as they engage in the ritual of circling reefs to render their gills cleaned by small fish. When not chased, these graceful creatures remain calm and even maneuver friendly approaches, as if intent on giving welcomed divers close proximity glimpses of their undulating beauty. Or how about encounters with endangered species like the Hawksbill Turtle and Chambered Nautilus, the latter of which is now only found in a few Pacific Islands. Diving is year-round in Palau and during the busiest season from January to April, spectacular sights such as migratory whale sharks passing by, sharks or mantas mating, and large schools of fish spawning can be seen. Palau is strategically straddled by two extremely deep channels to the east and to the west, those of the Philippine deep and Palau Trench. The cold nutrient-rich waters of these fathomless abysses teem with sub surface natural gifts, and the results are striking; in very few other places of mother earth can such awe-inspiring underwater activity and life can be witnessed with such regularity and ease. Palau is one of the seventh underwater wonders of the world. Activities in Palau As diverse as the colors of Palau's rich marine environment are the list of action-packed activities in Palau. Primarily in water sports alone, the opportunities are limitless. For instance, to say that Palau is superb for sports fishing is an understatement. You can troll for game fish such as mammoth 400-pound blue marlin, sailfish, giant trevally, wahoo and tuna. To accentuate the popularity of sport-fishing in the islands, the Palau Sports Fishing Association holds an annual fishing derby between the last week of April and the first week of May that is open to anyone. Generous cash prizes are awarded for the biggest catches in several categories including yellow fin and dogtooth tuna, barracuda, and blue marlin. Formal competitions aside, it is truly a rare day when one of several fully-equipped custom sports fishing vessels fails to come back with the proverbial "big catch," when guided by friendly local experts. And for diehard fans of the intriguing sport, the joy of tug-of-war combat with formidable predators of the deep is likely to be the unforgettable experience of a lifetime. And for those who favor more relaxing fishing activity, try spear fishing, reef fishing, by hitching a ride on a bamboo raft, or simply bring a hand line to the Rock Islands and catch your lunch the local way: bottom fishing. |
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