beginner
    (900)

    Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) Dive Site

    12m Max
    5-20m Vis
    boat

    Site Overview

    Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau), within the Jellyfish Lake & Marine Lakes (Snorkel/No Scuba) of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving trip. A land-locked marine lake holding millions of stingless golden jellyfish that migrate daily across the water. Geographically the site features lake and basin formations built from rock and sand substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 1 metres to a maximum depth of about 12 metres, with an average working depth near 6 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 5 to 20 metres, while water temperatures hold between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius year-round. The marine life is the headline attraction. Divers routinely encounter Golden Jellyfish (Mastigias papua etpisoni), Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), Anemone (Heteractis), Snapping Shrimp (Alpheidae), Goby (Gobiidae), alongside dense reef fish, invertebrates, and the soft and hard corals that blanket the reef. The mix of nutrient-rich currents and Palau's protected status makes Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) is best enjoyed as part of a boat programme out of Koror, and it rewards wide-angle photographers, naturalists, and adrenaline-seeking drift divers alike. The Palau Protected Areas Network helps keep the reef pristine, so divers are asked to maintain perfect buoyancy and respect the fragile coral at all times.

    Dive Briefing

    "Your dive at Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) begins with a controlled descent along the mooring line or wall, depending on the current on the day. You snorkel gently among the jellyfish, moving slowly so the painless Mastigias pulse around you without disturbance. Plan to spend the deepest portion of the dive along the lake between 1 and 6 metres, where the rock is most colourful and the larger fish congregate. No scuba or hooking; keep your fins still and avoid sunscreen, touching the jellyfish only softly if at all. Mid-water, watch the blue beyond the wall for passing Golden Jellyfish (Mastigias papua etpisoni) and other pelagics, and keep an eye on your no-decompression limits given the depths involved. Ascend slowly with a safety stop at five metres to off-gas safely. Because Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) can experience none currents and occasionally reduced visibility after heavy rain, dive with a surface marker buoy and always follow your operator's site-specific briefing and emergency plan."

    Signature Marine Life

    Golden Jellyfish (Mastigias papua etpisoni)

    high

    Best: Year-round

    Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

    low

    Best: Year-round

    Anemone (Heteractis)

    high

    Best: Year-round

    Snapping Shrimp (Alpheidae)

    high

    Best: Year-round

    Goby (Gobiidae)

    medium

    Best: Year-round

    Safety & Hazards

    • Sun exposure during the surface swim
    • Low oxygen in deeper lake layers (no diving)
    • Slippery trail and rocks at entry
    • Biting insects near the shore
    • Overheating in the shallow, warm water
    • Disturbance to the protected ecosystem
    Nearest Chamber
    Belau National Hospital Hyperbaric Chamber, Koror
    12km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Jellyfish Lake (Ongeim'l Tketau) is aimed at beginner divers holding at least a Open Water certification, and it suits those comfortable managing none currents and maintaining neutral buoyancy along vertical terrain. Photographers, marine-life enthusiasts, and experienced drift divers will find it especially rewarding, while everyone from children to seasoned divers will find it unforgettable, and no certification is needed. Divers who prefer calm, shallow, zero-current conditions should choose one of Palau's sheltered lagoons or house reefs instead, and anyone without the recommended certification should complete a check-out dive with a local operator first.

    lake
    snorkel
    jellyfish
    signature
    beginner

    For Non-Divers

    This is the quintessential non-diver experience: snorkel among millions of stingless jellyfish in warm, calm water.

    Quick Stats

    Difficultybeginner
    CertificationOpen Water
    Currentnone
    Water Temp27-31°C
    Best TimeNovember - October

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Sam's Tours
    • Fish 'n Fins
    Pricing Guide
    $60 - $110
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    wide-angle wet lens
    macro wet lens

    Best for: wide_angle, macro

    Nearby Stay

    Palau Pacific Resort

    Arakabesan, Koror8km away

    Check Availability

    West Plaza by the Sea

    Koror9km away

    Check Availability