Signature: Palau’s Rock Islands & Underwater Serengeti

Welcome to Palau. Your expedition begins as you touch down in Koror, greeted by the warm, humid embrace of the tropics. You will be met and transferred to your hotel to settle in–take a moment to breathe in the salt air and feel the immediate relief of the warm, tropical breeze. Use this time to rest and adjust to the slower island pace before the extraordinary marine and cultural treasures of the Rock Islands unfold tomorrow.

Gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a welcome presentation on Palau’s unique nature and culture before boarding a boat to Nikko Bay. Glide across turquoise waters to your first snorkel sites: the vibrant Rembrandt’s Cove and another epic location teeming with life. Immerse yourself in the silent world beneath the surface, marveling at the density of marine biodiversity. After lunch on board, connect with Palau’s seafaring heritage during a meeting with the crew of a traditional Moana canoe. Return to the hotel to refresh before a welcome cocktail reception and dinner featuring a mesmerizing performance by Palauan dancers.

Begin with a visit to the Coral Reef Research Foundation to meet a researcher and learn about their vital work, including the search for medicinal compounds in marine invertebrates. Then, snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Blue Devil Gardens before boarding a boat to Risong Bay. Navigate the silence of the mangrove forest, listening for endemic birds and searching the shallows for baby sharks. After a grilled lunch on a secluded beach, snorkel the Mandarin Fish Lake. Scan the water for the dazzling, psychedelic colors of the mandarin fish before returning to the resort.

Combine exploration with active conservation at Ulong Island. Snorkel below the Ulong Arch, a natural limestone bridge which underneath teems with colourful fish and soft corals. Here, you will assist in restoring native populations by placing young, farmed giant clams onto the reef — a hands-on contribution to the ecosystem. Step ashore onto the island and walk through an old-growth forest to the site of an ancient village, where your Leader will share the history of the Rock Island people who once thrived here. Enjoy a traditional Palauan barbecue lunch on the beach, followed by a talk on local conservation. The afternoon concludes with a drift snorkel through the dynamic currents and marine life of Wilson’s Channel.

Spend the morning kayaking under the dense, green canopy of Long Lake. Paddle quietly through this delicate ecosystem, observing nesting birds, ferns, and wild orchids reflected in the calm water. Continue to the Milky Way, a secluded milky-turquoise lagoon famous for its white limestone mud. Indulge in a natural spa treatment by covering yourself in the mineral-rich mud found on the sea floor. After washing off and enjoying a beach lunch, snorkel the multi-colored brain corals of Einstein’s Garden, a site known for its unique cerebral formations. Conclude the day with dinner at a restaurant elegantly built over the lagoon, watching the moon rise over the water.

Snorkel the massive coral colony known as the Reef Fish Apartment House, towering Turbinaria structures whose folds shelter dozens of fish species. After lunch on the beach, delve into the region's wartime history with a talk on the impact of WWII. Snorkel from the beach to inspect the haunting remains of a Japanese Zero fighter plane resting in the shallow seabed, now an artificial reef. Your final stop is Rainbow Reef, a kaleidoscope of soft corals and fish that showcases the full spectrum of Palau’s biodiversity. Tonight, enjoy an authentic dinner at a small, local café, experiencing the island's hospitality firsthand.

Head to the outer reefs for a drift snorkel at the legendary Big Drop-Off. Using the currents to guide you, float effortlessly past a sheer underwater wall covered in giant sea fans and sponges, watching sea turtles and schools of pyramid butterflyfish in this "Underwater Serengeti." Lunch is served onboard while the crew actively scouts the horizon for pods of playful spinner dolphins. The afternoon concludes at the German Channel, a man-made cut in the reef that attracts filter feeders. Snorkel the channel in hopes of spotting majestic manta rays gliding through the open water. Enjoy the evening and dinner at your leisure to reflect on the day’s incredible marine encounters.

Hike a forest trail to reach the secluded Jellyfish Lake for a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime swim. Drift among countless golden jellyfish as they pulse gently in the sunlit, green water — an experience of pure tranquility. Afterward, view an enormous disk of ancient Yapese stone money and snorkel over massive 500-pound giant clams. Visit the Belau National Museum to gather in a traditionally carved meeting house, where a revered elder shares the deep history and creation stories of the Palauan people. Celebrate your marine odyssey with a farewell dinner at the resort, toasting the memories of the archipelago.

Your expedition to Palau concludes today. After breakfast, take a final look at the pristine waters before your individual transfer to the airport, provided at any time during the day.