Swim With Millions of Harmless Jellyfish!

Palau's Ongeim'l Tketau, also known as Jellyfish Lake, offers a singular snorkeling adventure. Hundreds of thousands of golden jellyfish populate this roughly 100-foot-deep saltwater lake on Eil Malk Island. Evolved over millions of years, the jellyfish's stingers are now essentially harmless to humans.

Accessing this natural marvel is an expedition. Starting from Koror, a boat journey of 45 minutes to an hour navigates through the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon. Following disembarkation, visitors undertake a steep, 10- to 15-minute hike across the island before descending to the lake.

Within the lake, jellyfish possess symbiotic algae that aid their energy through photosynthesis. To optimize light for these algae, the jellies migrate across the lake daily, moving east in the morning and west in the afternoon.

Beyond Jellyfish Lake, Palau itself is a diver's paradise. Situated on the Coral Triangle's edge, it boasts immense marine biodiversity, including over 1,300 reef fish species and diverse coral formations.

Popular dive sites include Big Drop-Off, known for its coral shelf dropping into deep blue waters, and German Channel, a frequent gathering spot for manta rays. Ulong Channel offers drift diving opportunities, while Nikko Bay provides sheltered coral gardens suitable for newer snorkelers.

Travelers typically base themselves in Koror, with November to April generally offering the driest weather. Visitors need a permit for Jellyfish Lake and must adhere to Palau's ban on reef-toxic sunscreens, signing the Palau Pledge to protect the islands for future generations.