Click to view Palau photo gallery.
500 miles north of Raja Ampat and sharing a maritime boundary with the Philippines, Indonesia and The Federated States of Micronesia is the breathtaking and independent Republic of Palau, becoming known as Belau. This group of roughly 350 islands, atolls and islets forms the Western Caroline Group of Micronesia. Rising from 5 kilometres depth in the Palau Trench and protected by a barrier reef are the higher islands of Babeldaob, the main island of Koror with Malakal harbour, Peleliu, and the famous Rock Islands.
Just outside the main barrier reef are Anguaur in the south and the atoll Kayangel in the north. With a tiny population of 21,000, the islands run 80 miles south to north and boast the most diverse ecosystems in Micronesia, both above and certainly below the water. The Sonsora volcanic islands and Helen Reef are owned by Palau but are mostly uninhabited and lay various distances south along the route to Indonesia.
Heading to or from any of the Southeast Asia countries described in this guide, and the South Pacific, Palau lagoon must not be missed. It is simply sensational cruising.
Phuket and Palau share the same latitudes so the best weather is during the northeast monsoon season from December to March.
We describe the main port of entry and a couple of interesting spots nearby. If time permits, contacting Sam’s Tours at the Royal Belau Yacht Club is highly recommended. For extended cruising there are dozens of fantastic anchorages and we recommend ‘The Palau Guide’ by Randy and Hideko Abernethy.
Inbound yachts no longer require clearance approvals in advance of arrival. However, it is far better to give notice otherwise you could be waiting longer than you’d like for clearing in. The Royal Belau Yacht Club can offer assistance and information on clearance procedures and will let the authorities know your details and ETA as a courtesy.
info@samstours.com
rbyc@samstours.com
www.rbycpalau.blogspot.com
Outside our main Palau chart, and some 340 miles southwest of Koror, is the Helen Reef National Park atoll and lagoon, with a couple of National Park Rangers stationed on the small island. The 10-mile-long lagoon is the internal remains of a submerged volcano rim with a singular desert island covered in trees at the northern tip.
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Photo by Bill O’Leary
Photo by Bill O’Leary
