Explore Palau’s Rock Islands: Milky Way & Long Beach Boat Tour

Best Rock Islands Palau Tour

Viator offers a highly-rated Palau boat tour that covers many of the top sights of the Rock Islands within a single day. This tour includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, and complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off from Koror, along with 5 to 8 hours of sightseeing and swimming at locations like the Milky Way and Jellyfish Lake.

It is essential to note that the itinerary may vary due to tide and weather conditions. Therefore, if there is a specific spot you wish to see, it is advisable to confirm this with your tour provider beforehand.

Having utilized Viator for numerous tours globally, I can confidently recommend their services!

Where Are The Rock Islands Located?

The Rock Islands are situated approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Koror, Palau, making them easily accessible by boat. Using a speedboat, you can reach attractions like the Milky Way in less than 30 minutes, while other locations like Long Beach are just a bit farther away.

Best Things To Do In The Rock Islands Of Palau

Here’s a compilation of some of the best sights and activities to enjoy while visiting the Rock Islands of Palau. This list focuses on highlights commonly experienced during a one-day boat tour.

• Milky Way

The Milky Way is a natural lagoon distinguished by exceptionally bright turquoise water. This location is famous for its mud bath, allowing you to cover your face and body with white limestone mud, reputed to provide skin health benefits. The tours come equipped with the mudpack, making it a delightful experience suitable for all ages.

We spent about 30 minutes floating in the creamy water of the Milky Way lagoon, and it was truly enjoyable.

• Jellyfish Lake

The Jellyfish Lake ranks as one of Palau’s most renowned attractions. Here, you can swim among millions of stingless jellyfish, including two species: the golden jellyfish and the moon jellyfish, both harmless to humans.

Snorkeling with these jellyfish near the lake’s surface is a unique experience, as Palau is one of the few locations globally where this is possible! However, it is crucial to check with your tour provider about the lake’s status beforehand.

During my 2023 visit to Palau, I learned the jellyfish population had diminished due to El Niño and La Niña weather patterns, which led to a rise in lake temperatures and affected the golden jellyfish.

Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the jellyfish numbers will eventually rebound!

• Long Beach

Long Beach is a natural sandbar found in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, typically visible only at low tide. It was one of the highlights of my visit, and I wished to spend the entire day there.

We disembarked the boat into shallow waters, walked to the sandbar’s far end, and enjoyed the scenery for about 30 minutes. When fully exposed, the sandbar stretches almost 1 kilometer long (1/2 mile).

As I’ve visited numerous sandbars globally, including those in Indonesia and the Philippines, I can confidently say that this is among the finest. The water is incredibly calm, and the sand appears strikingly white.

• German Channel

The German Channel, created by the Germans during World War II, now serves as a popular scuba diving site due to its depth of up to 40 meters (130 feet). While witnessing the channel from above on a scenic plane ride is fascinating, many boat tours include a brief visit to this spot as well.

The vibrant blue water enhances the experience, and you might even spot sharks or manta rays swimming through the channel!

• Babelomekang Island

Tours typically include a lunch stop after a few hours of exploration in the Rock Islands. Some may opt for Carp Island Resort, but in our case, we enjoyed a peaceful stop at Babelomekang, where we were provided Bento boxes (Japanese meals) featuring rice, chicken, spring rolls, oranges, and veggies.

This tranquil island, complete with white sandy beaches and shady trees, allowed us an hour to relax and savor lunch.

• Snorkeling Spots

We dedicated 1 to 2 hours to snorkeling around the reef, including a vibrant spot known as the Cemetery. Palau offers a variety of excellent snorkeling locations throughout the Rock Islands, promising a distinctive experience for each tour.

While I wasn’t able to capture any underwater photos due to the absence of my camera, the aquatic life was impressive, featuring sea turtles and an array of healthy fish and coral!

Rock Island Conservation Fees

Visitors to the Rock Islands by boat are required to obtain a conservation permit, separate from the tour costs. Most tour companies can facilitate the purchase of this permit on the day of your visit.

As of 2024, the permit costs are:

• Rock Islands — $50 USD
• Rock Islands + Jellyfish Lake — $100 USD

You only need to purchase one permit; if you plan to visit Jellyfish Lake, choose the more expensive option, while the cheaper permit suffices for other locations. Note that children under 6 years do not require a permit.

The permits remain valid for 10 days, granting re-entry to the Rock Islands without the need for another purchase. Just be cautious not to lose your permit!

Can You Fly A Drone In The Palau Rock Islands?

Indeed, drone flying is permitted in the Rock Islands of Palau, but it necessitates a permit. You can apply for one by completing this form on the Palau Visitors Authority’s official site.

The application process is straightforward and free of charge. Simply provide your name, nationality, personal details, and the date and purpose of your drone flight. If flying for leisure, note it as hobby photography.

Additionally, familiarize yourself with drone regulations as only flights below 120 meters (400 feet) and within visual line of sight are permitted. Flights near planes or airports are strictly prohibited.

In my case, the permit was approved within an hour; however, it is advisable to apply at least three days in advance to ensure ample processing time.

If granted, inform your Rock Island tour company and save an offline copy of your permit to prevent any misunderstandings on your tour day.

There are numerous photogenic spots for drone flying in the Rock Islands, with Long Beach ranking as my personal favorite for aerial shots!

What To Bring For The Boat Tour

Here are some packing tips for your day trip to the Rock Islands.

• Waterproof Bag: Essential for securing your electronics while on the boat tours. A 30-liter bag can typically accommodate a drone, tablet, camera, phone, and other items, keeping everything dry.
• Waterproof Phone Pouch: Perfect for shielding your phone alone, ideal if you don’t need protection for other electronics.
• Snorkeling Gear: Some snorkeling locations offer vibrant corals and marine life. Ensure you have your gear, as not all tour companies provide them for free.
• Sun Protection: Given the strong sun in Palau, wearing a hat and applying sunscreen is imperative. When bringing sunscreen from home, be aware that certain types are banned in Palau and may be confiscated upon arrival in Koror.
• Bottled Water: Confirm with your tour provider if they offer bottled water. If not, bringing your own is advisable, as snorkeling will undoubtedly make you thirsty.
• Drone: An aerial camera enhances your ability to capture magnificent images of the Rock Islands, but remember to obtain a permit and adhere to all regulations discussed earlier.

Other Tips For The Palau Rock Islands

• Language: Numerous tour companies in Palau are Japanese-owned and primarily cater to Japanese tourists, so be prepared for a potential language barrier. However, most guides typically offer translations in English, minimizing any issues.
• Crocodiles: Locals report that spotting a saltwater crocodile in Palau is exceptionally rare, especially when avoiding mangrove regions.
• Mosquitoes: I experienced no mosquito encounters during my tour, even on Babelomekang Island, a forested area. Therefore, bringing mosquito repellent may not be necessary.
• Toilets: Typically, there are no bathrooms available on boats or islands during island hopping. Basic facilities can be found at Babelomekang Island or Carp Island Resort. Thus, it is wise to take care of business before commencing your tour.
• Where To Stay: Carp Island Resort is the only private island with hotel accommodations in the vicinity, technically outside the Rock Islands but close to dive sites.

Best Time To Visit The Rock Islands

Palau experiences rainfall throughout the year, yet it remains a favorable destination at all times. The driest months in Koror and the Rock Islands are from January to April, although rain is still common during this period.

It’s worth noting that rainfall typically occurs in the evenings or overnight. Consequently, you cannot guarantee perfect weather at any time of year.

During my visit in September, which is considered one of the rainier months, I was pleasantly surprised by perfect weather and no rain at all, allowing for a wonderful experience!

Fun Facts About The Rock Islands Of Palau

• Why are they called the Rock Islands?
  The Rock Islands, while not appearing as rocks, are actually limestone formations enveloped in tropical foliage.

• How many islands are there?
  According to UNESCO, approximately 445 uninhabited islands make up the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, covering a total area of about 100,200 hectares (approximately 250,000 acres).

• What is the UNESCO status?
  The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, due to its remarkable beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance.

• What kinds of animals live there?
  Birds, fruit bats, dugongs, sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, along with diverse coral, fish, and giant clams inhabit the Rock Islands.

Palau Scenic Flight Over The Rock Islands

A scenic flight over the Rock Islands is gaining popularity among tourists, and it’s easy to see why, as it showcases one of the Pacific’s most breathtaking landscapes!

Provided by Pacific Mission Aviation, the flights are conducted without doors for an unrivaled overhead view of Koror, coupled with spectacular vistas of countless beautiful islands, lakes, and lagoons.

While the boat tour was enjoyable, the scenic flight offered an alternative perspective that I highly recommend. If your schedule and budget allow it, embarking on both the boat tour and scenic flight is a must, as they each deliver unique yet incredible experiences!