Palau – Coral Islands, Nature and Culture

Palau offers several distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: marine landscapes, a significant freshwater lake, protected areas, and cultural and historical connections. Its natural areas, museum themes and the history of Peleliu offer different ways to explore Palau according to your interests. The Ebiil Conservation Area is a marine protected area. This designation adds another perspective to the natural history information: area figures describe the geographic extent, species counts describe biological diversity, and the protected-area designation identifies the designated protection of a marine area. This makes it possible to understand area figures and protection categories as different kinds of information about Palau’s marine environment.

Coral Islands and Marine Diversity

The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon in the state of Koror covers 100,200 hectares and contains 445 coral limestone islands. There are 52 marine lagoons within the marine area. It is also home to 746 fish species and more than 385 coral species. These figures offer different points of reference: the area describes the geographic extent, the number of islands and lagoons describes the area’s layout, and the species counts indicate its biological diversity. For nature enthusiasts, the landscape and species richness are two concrete, connected themes that can be given different weight when planning a trip.

Ngarchelong’s Northern Reef covers 230 square kilometers. Alongside the island and lagoon landscape of the Southern Lagoon, it offers another named natural feature. If you are comparing Palau’s marine landscapes, these two different area designations and their specific area figures provide points of reference. Converted, 100,200 hectares is equivalent to 1,002 square kilometers. Based on the stated areas, the Southern Lagoon is about 4.4 times as large as Ngarchelong’s Northern Reef; this comparison makes the difference in size between the two marine areas tangible.

Melekeok: Lake and Protected Areas

Ngardok Lake, Micronesia’s largest natural freshwater lake, is located in the state of Melekeok. The state has two protected areas: the Ngardok Nature Reserve and the Ngermedellim Marine Sanctuary. The Ngardok Nature Reserve is an ecotourism destination with a nature trail, information signs and a floating walkway. Melekeok therefore brings together two distinct nature themes: a freshwater lake and a nature reserve with specific visitor features. If you are planning a visit to the reserve, check access arrangements in advance.

Culture and History

The exhibitions at the Belau National Museum cover the themes of Cheroll (birth) and Omesurch, Omengat and Mo-Tuobed (herbal hot-bath process and ceremony). The subject matter thus ranges from birth to an herbal hot-bath process and its ceremony. As exhibition themes can change, check what is currently on display before your visit.

During the Second World War, Peleliu was one of the bloodiest battlefields in the Pacific theater of war. This makes the history of Peleliu a sobering historical point of reference. If history is part of your travel plans, you can consider this focus separately from the nature themes.

Discover more destinations: Koror, Ngaraard, Fiji, Northern Mariana Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati.

For the main travel overview: Oceania.