Palau, Micronesia Welcomes New Ngellil Nature Island Resort

The Ngellil Nature Island Resort is a one-of-a-kind, eight room property that is only accessible by boat transfer and is ideal for couples or those that want to truly get away from it all. The full-service property features accommodations made of natural products from the islands; barbecued meals made on site; private beach for hotel guests only; private hiking trails, which wend through a lush jungle; sea kayaking; snorkeling; and fishing. Read on...

National Geographic Feature on Palau

Located in the western Pacific, the more than 250 islands that constitute Palau—a Japanese stronghold during World War II—were assigned to U.S. administration by the United Nations in 1947. Economically tied to the U.S., the territory became an independent nation in October 1994. About 70 percent of Palauans live in the capital city of Koror on the island of Koror. Tourism is the country's main industry, with the rich marine environment inviting snorkeling and scuba diving. Read on...

Photo credit: Tim Laman

BENEATH THE SURFACE...

With the diverse colors of Palau’s rich marine environment, the list of action-packed water activities in Palau reveals a rainbow of choices. For instance, Palau has an abundance of the most spectacular sports fishing opportunities. One can troll for game fish such as mammoth 400-pounds blue marlin, sailfish, giant trevally, wahoo and tuna. It’s a rare day when one of several fully-equipped and locally guided custom sports fishing vessels fails to come back with the proverbial “big catch.”
     There are an abundance of choices for those who favor more relaxing activities such as spear fishing, reef casting, hitching a ride on a bamboo raft or simply bringing a hand line to the Rock Islands to catch lunch, the local way, bottom fishing.
     For those not into fishing, the Rock Islands provide the shelter of tiny isles with calm seas that afford ideal sites for snorkeling, swimming and taking brisk rides on inflatables towed by powerful speedboats.
     All over Palau, visitors will find the tranquility of white, sugar sand beaches, where at times, the only footprints are one’s own. This is where swimming in privacy can be relished, and where year-round, 80 to 86° F water temperatures are indescribably soothing and therapeutic.
These very conditions make snorkeling compelling as well, where shallow reefs reveal tropical fish and Technicolor giant clams thriving amongst a prism of corals. After splashing around or snorkeling the sparkling blue waters, soak up the sun or immerse in a favorite novel on a postcard-perfect coconut tree covered beach. Check out the comments below!