Palau Island Yacht Charter: The coolest destination you've never heard of. Image credit: Supplied
Palau is the hottest vacation spot for the coming year, but most people haven’t heard of it yet, and with tourism limiting measures put in place to protect the natural environment, it is relatively untouched. All the more reason to take a Palau island yacht charter to this mecca of blissful relaxation, remote adventures, extremely rare wildlife and exotic temperatures.
This relaxed archipelago can claim true remoteness, with its closest neighbour, New Guinea, based 650 kilometres away. Luckily, you will find more than enough to entertain yourself within its 300+ Micronesian islands. From idyllic beaches with some of the world’s clearest waters, to jungles that hum with wildlife, peaceful waterfalls, and steep limestone cliffs concealing ancient archaeological sites, Palau is one of those destinations that will entice you back time and time again.
Palau has an average annual temperature of 30°C or 86°F year-round, reaching highs of 32°C or 89.6°F and lows of 27°C or 80.6°F. What’s more, the ocean temperature remains between 28-30°C (82.4-86°F) all year – ideal swimming temperature for those on a Palau yacht charter.
The best and most popular time for Palau holidays is the dry season, which runs from November to April, while the rainy season officially spans from July to October.
Those who crave activity and adventure on their Palau island yacht charter will love hiking in Babeldaob, Palau’s biggest island, where the landscape covers everything from rugged mountains to freshwater lakes, and from breath-taking beaches to scorched savannahs.
Dense jungle makes up the majority of the land, hiding delightful remnants of ancient villages between its verdant foliage. You can choose to explore on foot or by bike, spending the day wildlife spotting before stopping for lunch and a dip at one of the island’s exquisite waterfalls. You’ll also find the largest lake in Micronesia here – Lake Ngardok, which is home to the saltwater crocodile and many species of birds.
In fact, Palau has 68 recorded species of birds, including 13 endemic, making it an ideal spot for twitchers. If it is Palau’s famous sea cow, known locally as mesekiu, you wish to see, book a helicopter ride over the Marine Mammal Sanctuary to see these amazing but endangered creatures by air.
Those who wish to step into the past on their Palau holiday will appreciate the amount of WW2 history there is on this archipelago, with derelict planes, tanks, and cannons and more dotted across the landscape of Peleliu, a small but fascinating reef island.
Stunning beaches are easy to find in Palau, but some of the best are located on the island of Angaur, where dazzling white sands provide the perfect place to soak up the sun and forget your troubles.
Koror City, Palau’s largest town, offers cultural hotspots and exquisite dining opportunities, with a selection of unique museums, as well as restaurants, boutique art galleries and an excellent night market.
The Palau archipelago is surrounded by a large barrier reef system and offers one of the planet’s most diverse marine ecosystems, making it an amazing spot for diving and snorkelling. Much more remote than the Caribbean or the Med, you will have lots of space to spread out and appreciate the beauty of underwater life. There are also fascinating WW2 wrecks in the sea, including Iro Maru, a boat that sank 130ft after being hit by a torpedo in 1994, while at Ngemelis wall, you’ll find an array of sharks, manta rays, turtles, angelfish and mesmerising corals. Don’t miss the Chandelier Caves – a famous and highly recommended dive spot on the archipelago.
We hope this has enticed you to explore Palau. If you are craving a yachting escape but island life isn’t for you, why not take a look at some alternative yachting destinations for inspiration.