Palau Family Adventure

Today the family experiences two of Palau's signature wonders. A boat carries you out into the UNESCO-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a surreal labyrinth of jungle-clad, mushroom-shaped limestone islands scattered across dazzling turquoise water. You cruise among the emerald islets, snorkel over vibrant coral gardens teeming with fish and turtles (gentle and perfect for children), and land on a deserted white-sand beach. The highlight is Jellyfish Lake, where the whole family snorkels among millions of harmless golden jellyfish pulsing through sunlit water, an utterly surreal, dreamlike experience that leaves the kids wide-eyed with wonder, as thousands of jellyfish drift all around, brushing softly and harmlessly against their skin. The beauty of the Rock Islands and the magic of swimming among the jellyfish make this an extraordinary family day. As the boat returns across the turquoise lagoon, the children chatter excitedly about the jellyfish, and a relaxed dinner rounds off an unforgettable day.

Another day of family fun in the Rock Islands lagoon. You visit the famous Milky Way, a hidden lagoon where a layer of silky white limestone mud turns the water a milky, dreamlike turquoise; the kids love diving down for the mud, said to be wonderful for the skin, and floating in the surreal water, a fun and giggly tradition. You snorkel the giant clams of Clam City, where huge, iridescent clams nestle in the shallows, endlessly fascinating for children, and more of the lagoon's superb reefs teeming with rainbow fish and turtles. Between snorkelling, the family relaxes on deserted white-sand beaches, and there is plenty of time to swim and play in the warm, calm water. The abundance and beauty of the marine life, and the surreal fun of the Milky Way, delight children of all ages. As the boat returns across the turquoise water, the family takes in the endless maze of emerald islands, and a relaxed dinner in Koror rounds off another wonderful day of adventure.

A day exploring Babeldaob, Palau's large, lush and little-visited main island, a fun change from the lagoon, cloaked in dense rainforest, rivers and ancient sites. The family might hike or take a jungle monorail to the spectacular Ngardmau waterfall, the largest in Palau, where the kids can swim in a cool, clear pool beneath the cascade, explore the mysterious ancient stone monoliths of Badrulchau, said to predate written history (great for young imaginations), visit traditional Palauan villages and bai (meeting houses) with their beautiful storyboard carvings, and take in the island's rivers, mangroves and wildlife. Babeldaob reveals a very different side of Palau, its lush interior, ancient culture and rich nature, a fascinating contrast to the marine wonders of the lagoon. As the sun sets, return to Koror for a relaxed family dinner, the children full of stories of the waterfall and the ancient stones, and rest ahead of more lagoon adventures tomorrow.

A day of family adventure exploring the hidden lagoons, caves and beaches of the Rock Islands by kayak and boat. Paddling kayaks, the family glides silently into the Rock Islands' hidden channels, secret marine lakes and mangrove-fringed lagoons, where the water is mirror-calm and the only sounds are birdsong and the dip of the paddles, an exciting sense of exploration for the kids. You paddle into sea caves and hidden coves accessible only by kayak, and land on deserted white-sand beaches, such as Long Beach, a stunning sandbar that magically appears at low tide, for a swim, a snorkel and a picnic, a real treasure-island adventure. The maze of emerald islands is even more beautiful and intimate from a kayak, and the children love paddling into hidden, secret places and discovering their own deserted beach. This gentle, active family adventure, in one of the most beautiful seascapes on earth, is a highlight. As the sun sets over the lagoon, return to Koror for a relaxed dinner.

A day snorkelling some of Palau's most spectacular reefs around Ulong, a beautiful Rock Island with a stunning white-sand beach and rich history. The family snorkels the Ulong Channel, where the gentle current carries you over vibrant coral gardens teeming with fish, and other superb reefs alive with turtles, reef sharks, giant clams and clouds of tropical fish, in warm, crystal-clear water. Palau's reefs, among the healthiest and most biodiverse on earth, offer breathtaking, gentle snorkelling perfect for families, and encounters with marine life, especially the turtles, are frequent and thrilling for children. Between snorkelling, the family relaxes on Ulong's beautiful beach and explores its ancient rock art. The abundance and health of the marine life are captivating, and there is plenty of time to swim and play. As the boat returns across the turquoise lagoon, the family takes in the beauty of the Rock Islands, and a relaxed dinner in Koror rounds off another wonderful day in this marine paradise.

A final day to enjoy the wonders of Palau as a family. You might snorkel the beautiful Chandelier Cave, hung with glittering stalactites, where the kids can surface in hidden air chambers (a magical adventure), take a last kayak among the hidden lagoons, or return to a favourite snorkelling spot. In Koror, the family can visit the excellent Belau National Museum and the aquarium to learn about Palauan history, culture, legends and marine life, browse for local crafts, or simply relax. Palau's blend of extraordinary marine wonders, pristine nature and rich culture means there is always something to discover. As your family adventure draws to a close, a farewell dinner celebrates the wonders you have experienced together, from the magical Jellyfish Lake and the labyrinthine Rock Islands to the turtles, giant clams and pristine reefs, and the children reflect, wide-eyed, on the extraordinary things they have seen in one of the most beautiful and pristine places on earth.

After a final morning in Koror, perhaps a last look at the turquoise lagoon, you are transferred to the airport for your onward international departure. The children leave wide-eyed and full of wonder, with memories of swimming among millions of golden jellyfish, snorkelling with turtles and giant clams, kayaking into hidden lagoons, and discovering deserted beaches, while parents leave having shared an extraordinary, enriching adventure in one of the most pristine places on earth. Having signed the Palau Pledge and witnessed a nation leading the world in protecting its oceans, the whole family departs with a deeper love and understanding of the natural world. Palau offers a family adventure quite unlike any other, awe-filled, active and inspiring, and you leave already talking about when the family can return to this last great marine paradise, its wonders having planted seeds of wonder and care in young hearts that will last a lifetime.