Palau is a place most Singaporeans wouldn’t be too familiar with. But if the thought of an exotic island getaway excites you, then now’s the time to bookmark this archipelago in the middle of the western Pacific Ocean for your next getaway.
Not only is the island known for being home to a thriving ecosystem of marine life, but it’s also got plenty of outdoor gems and historical monuments to discover. And the good news is that you can now fly directly from Singapore to Palau via Alii Palau Airlines.
The famous Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau’s top attractions.
Image credit: @lance_diving via Instagram
You may be questioning why you’ve never really set sights on Palau before, and the answer is simple. Previously, the only way to get there was via a 1-2 stopover flight that transits in the likes of Taiwan and Japan. And the journey would take you anywhere from a whopping 14-41 hours.
But from 21st December 2023 onwards, it’ll now only take you 5 hours 20 minutes to get to Palau directly from Singapore. With flights operated by Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines, Alii Palau Airlines will charter passengers over to the island twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays.
The flight is operated by Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines.
Image credit: @mttslee via Instagram
Your airfare includes 20kg of baggage for Economy class and 30kg for Business. Good news, if you’re planning to go diving there – all you have to do is provide your diving cert to get an additional 10kg baggage allowance.
Alii Palau Airlines is also slashing 20% off their airfare if you book a flight before 30th December 2023, so it’s time to get to planning.
Image credit: Alii Palau Airlines
The best season to travel to Palau is between December and April when it’s the dry season. You’ll get the best conditions to go diving and explore the islands, but do note that it’s also peak season for tourists.
We could very well write an entirely separate article on this, but we’re gonna try to not get overexcited here.
Image credit: @umi_no_pi via Instagram
The first thing you should know about Palau is that it’s a hotspot for diving – in particular, drift dives where you go with the current. You won’t just encounter the typical tropical coral reefs here, either. Sharks, dolphins, manta rays, turtles, and even whales can be spotted in these waters.
Image credit: @kyolou via Instagram
Another must-see is the famous Jellyfish Lake, which, as its name suggests, is home to about 5 million jellyfish. And yes, you can swim with them as these particular ones have evolved with tentacles that do not sting.
Image credit: @fishnfins_palau via Instagram
Nature enthusiasts can also explore Ngardok Nature Reserve that is home to the largest freshwater reservoir in Micronesia. Saltwater crocodiles, frogs, and birds call the lake their home, so you can expect to see plenty of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Other than that, Palau has a handful of historic sights and museums for you to learn more about the history and culture of the island.
At the time of writing, air tickets cost a rather hefty USD1,480.26 (~S$1,977.14) for the return flight. But if you’re a diving and nature enthusiast, or if you’ve always wanted to visit the famous lake filled with millions of stingless jellyfish, then a getaway to Palau might be for you.
For more tropical getaways, check these articles out:
Image credit: @lance_diving & @mttslee via Instagram
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