Scuba Diving in Jellyfish Lake & Marine Lakes (Snorkel/No Scuba)

About Jellyfish Lake & Marine Lakes (Snorkel/No Scuba)

Palau's marine lakes are among the most extraordinary natural wonders on Earth, and Jellyfish Lake, or Ongeim'l Tketau, is the most famous. This land-locked lake holds millions of golden jellyfish, Mastigias papua etpisoni, which have lost their sting over millennia of isolation and migrate horizontally across the lake each day following the sun. Snorkelling among them is a surreal, peaceful experience and is strictly non-scuba to protect the delicate ecosystem. Nearby lakes such as Clear Water Lake and Uet era Ngermeuangel offer similar snorkelling through brackish, anemone-lined channels and are favourites for a gentle, otherworldly swim. Easily reached from Koror by boat and a short hike, the marine lakes are a must for every visitor, including non-divers and families, and they pair perfectly with a Rock Islands kayak or beach day.

Highlights

• ✓Jellyfish Lake: snorkel among millions of stingless golden jellyfish on their daily migration.
• ✓Clear Water Lake: a transparent lake with snorkelling through anemone-rich channels.
• ✓Uet era Ngermeuangel: a quiet marine lake offering a unique, low-key snorkel.
• ✓Strictly snorkel-only to protect the fragile lake ecosystem.

Getting There

The Jellyfish Lake & Marine Lakes (Snorkel/No Scuba) region is reached by boat from Koror, the dive hub of Palau. Day boats and liveaboards depart the Koror and Malakal marinas, with transit times varying by site. Some southern and northern regions are best experienced on multi-day liveaboard trips that time dives to the tidal windows.