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Jump in a Jellyfish Lake
Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief
Country: Palau 
The Experience
Expecting the unexpected is half the fun of being a diver, but when you snorkel Palau's Jellyfish Lake—all assumptions are off limits. This natural marine lake is a magnet for divers and snorkellers alike thanks to its curious populous of harmless jellyfish.
Getting to your destination is part of the fun when diving in Palau, and carving your way through remote uninhabited islands on one of Fish n' Fins 225 HP speed boats is definitely not a hardship. The trail to Jellyfish Lake, however, may be just that. The rope-lined trail is a steep 15 minute climb for most. Be sure to take the opportunity to catch your breath by reading the informational signs about Jellyfish Lake on your way up.
Everyday, a pulsating mob of over one million jellyfish follow the sun from the west end of Jellyfish Lake to the east. This daily sun migration is done to sustain life-giving algae in the jellyfish's body. Their need for sunlight is so strong that when the waters hit a shadow from overhanging trees, the jellyfish stop as if there were an invisible line. The sun also plays a pivotal role in highlighting its subject matter, and sun rays reflect up through the water, casting accentuating beams of light around and even through the jellyfish. It's a rather psychedelic sight to see.
In addition to the abnormal amount of jellyfish, here they are even more unique because they don't sting. Over 12,000 years ago, sea levels rose to a point where water began to form marine lakes through basins and tunnels in Palau's Rock Islands. Over the years, Jellyfish Lake became isolated, and in turn the jellyfish evolved without a need for self defence.
Snorkeling Jellyfish Lake is like joining a bizarre dream world. Jellyfish bob into you, ranging in size from the tip of your pinky finger to bigger than your head. Their constant pulsing is mesmerizing, as if they are in sync and random all at once. Snorkelling Jellyfish Lake will give you a whole new sense of surrealism.
Getting to your destination is part of the fun when diving in Palau, and carving your way through remote uninhabited islands on one of Fish n' Fins 225 HP speed boats is definitely not a hardship. The trail to Jellyfish Lake, however, may be just that. The rope-lined trail is a steep 15 minute climb for most. Be sure to take the opportunity to catch your breath by reading the informational signs about Jellyfish Lake on your way up.
Everyday, a pulsating mob of over one million jellyfish follow the sun from the west end of Jellyfish Lake to the east. This daily sun migration is done to sustain life-giving algae in the jellyfish's body. Their need for sunlight is so strong that when the waters hit a shadow from overhanging trees, the jellyfish stop as if there were an invisible line. The sun also plays a pivotal role in highlighting its subject matter, and sun rays reflect up through the water, casting accentuating beams of light around and even through the jellyfish. It's a rather psychedelic sight to see.
In addition to the abnormal amount of jellyfish, here they are even more unique because they don't sting. Over 12,000 years ago, sea levels rose to a point where water began to form marine lakes through basins and tunnels in Palau's Rock Islands. Over the years, Jellyfish Lake became isolated, and in turn the jellyfish evolved without a need for self defence.
Snorkeling Jellyfish Lake is like joining a bizarre dream world. Jellyfish bob into you, ranging in size from the tip of your pinky finger to bigger than your head. Their constant pulsing is mesmerizing, as if they are in sync and random all at once. Snorkelling Jellyfish Lake will give you a whole new sense of surrealism.
Discover the waters of Palau with pioneering dive shop Fish n' Fins
When to Go to Jellyfish Lake
A few years ago, all the jellyfish in the lake were killed by extreme and sustained hot weather. Luckily the eggs survived, and the next year the jellyfish were back in even greater numbers. If you're flying all the way to Palau for this particular experience, it might be worth emailing Fish n' Fins ahead of time to check in on the status of the lake.
Odds n' Ends
As the leading dive shop in Palau, Fish 'n Fins can help you maximize your visit by arranging for you to visit Jellyfish Lake before or after a dive. You may also combine a trip to Palau's Jellyfish Lake while diving aboard one of Fish 'n Fins luxury live-aboard vessels Ocean Hunter 1 or 3.
You are not able to use sunscreen before entering the Lake, as it is harmful to the jellyfish. If you burn easily, bring a light t-shirt to wear while snorkelling.
Jellyfish Lake is visited by most in the middle of the morning or afternoon. To avoid the crowds and have the lake all to yourself, make sure to go around lunchtime.
You are not able to use sunscreen before entering the Lake, as it is harmful to the jellyfish. If you burn easily, bring a light t-shirt to wear while snorkelling.
Jellyfish Lake is visited by most in the middle of the morning or afternoon. To avoid the crowds and have the lake all to yourself, make sure to go around lunchtime.
Want a Guide?
- Fish'n Fins - Fishnfins.com
- Established in 1972, Fish'n Fins is Palau's leading dive and tour center.
- Ocean Hunter Liveaboard - OceanHunter.com
- Ocean Hunter 1 and 3 are Palau's most luxurious liveaboard vessels. Enjoy up to 5 dives a day or night, gourmet food and flexible itinerary.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Palau Rose Garden Resort
- With 20 custom built air conditioned cottages that are ideally situated on top of the hill, the private balcony offers breathtaking views overlooking the whole city of Koror and Babeldaob.
- Landmark Marina
- Landmark Marina and dock side restaurant opened on May 27, 2007 located in a beautiful Lagoon at the southwest corner of Koror Island.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
12 miles away
The Storyboard Beach Resort enjoys a beachfront location. Peleliu town centre is within an easy 10 minute drive from the resort. 12 miles away
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Get Hooked on Blue Corner
- Palau is a divers dream, with its fringing coral reefs and burgeoning marine life it's hard to beat. In a time where our oceans are being devastated beyond belief, Palau has managed to maintain some sanctity, and in 2009 with the help of pioneering dive shop Fish'n Fins, declared its waters a Shark Sanctuary. Thanks to this, people who make the trek to Palau can enjoy an increasingly rare treat - sharks and other large fish that have been overfished in other areas of the world. Although you can see sharks on almost any dive here, perhaps the best place ...9 miles away.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
Enquire now
Fish 'n Fins snorkeling excursion to Jellyfish Lake
Starting from $35.00 per person.
Starting from $35.00 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Darwin's Jellyfishes - National Wildlife Magazine (magazine)
- FLOATING in a silent world the color of milky green tea, I am enveloped by an undulating horde of 10 million jellyfish, some the size of cantaloupes, others the size of apples and a few no bigger than blueberries.
- Deep-Sea Destinations; Palau: In lush lagoons of the South Pacific, a 900-foot cliff - NY Times.com (newspaper)
- OUR guide eased his powerboat through the coral-choked lagoons that lie between Palau's lush, towering islands, 500 miles north of New Guinea.
- A Magic World of Palau - SportDiver.com (magazine)
- Jellyfish: Far from Passive Drifters-in-the-Currents - Xray-mag.com (magazine)
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Language Guides
Japanese 
is one of the languages spoken in Palau. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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