Just added to the list of the world’s 15 most unique lakes earlier this month, Palau Jellyfish Lake is undoubtedly the most famous attraction in Palau.Located on an uninhabited coral reef island within the Macherchar Island group of Palau, the lake is about a 30-minute boat ride from the capital, Koror.Because the people of Palau place great emphasis on preserving the local ecosystem, even though Jellyfish Lake has become a major tourist destination, they have chosen not to build artificial walkways that could harm the environment. As a result, after disembarking, visitors must hike for about 15 minutes over a small coral hill to reach the lake where the jellyfish freely swim.
Palau Jellyfish Lake has been selected as one of the world’s most unique lakes due to its special ecological landscape. (Image source / Free Travel Talk)
Jellyfish Lake is a closed mountain lake. In the past, when sea levels were higher, seawater entered the area and jellyfish came with it. However, when the sea level later dropped, the area became an inland lake, and the jellyfish remained trapped in this isolated body of water. The upper layer of the lake still connects to the ocean during high tide through gaps in the coral reef, but the water below 18 meters remains stagnant. Since the jellyfish here do not need to hunt for food and have no natural predators, their stingers and long tentacles have gradually degenerated, resulting in non-toxic jellyfish.
Swimming with the jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake is an unforgettable experience. (Image source / Free Travel Talk)
Jellyfish Lake was discovered in 1982 and officially opened to tourism in 1985.When you snorkel here, you can swim alongside countless jellyfish. There are mainly two types of jellyfish in the lake: the orange, ball-shaped Golden Mastigias jellyfish and the transparent, disc-shaped Moon Jellyfish.There are also large groups of silvery fish and sea anemones, with the Golden Jellyfish being the most numerous. They often migrate with the movement of the sun. This is because, over time, the orange jellyfish developed a symbiotic relationship with the algae attached to their surface, relying on the nutrients secreted by the algae for survival. As a result, the orange jellyfish rise to the surface each day to absorb sunlight, enabling the algae to perform photosynthesis. The Moon Jellyfish are less numerous these days, so spotting them requires a bit of luck.
The orange jellyfish rise to the surface daily to absorb sunlight, and their adorable appearance is truly endearing. (Image source / Free Travel Talk)
The most exciting part of visiting Jellyfish Lake is being surrounded by thousands of jellyfish and enjoying the unique experience of “dancing” with them. However, since the jellyfish are very delicate, apart from snorkeling, other water sports are prohibited in the lake. Even if you wear fins, you should move slowly to avoid accidentally hitting the jellyfish. And never take the jellyfish out of the water to play with them like balls.
Additionally, under the scorching Palau sun over several consecutive days, Milk Lake, known for its skin-beautifying properties, is a must-visit spot for beauty-conscious women.
The volcanic mud at Milk Lake has beautifying effects. (Image provided / Mook Editorial Department)
Here, the lakebed contains a type of volcanic mud. Whether you’re male or female, simply apply the mud all over your body, wait a few minutes, then rinse it off in the water and soak in the lake for a natural spa treatment that leaves your skin incredibly smooth and soft—comparable to the effects of Canadian glacial mud or the Dead Sea mud.Milk Lake is a mountain lake located within the Rock Islands. In ancient times, this area experienced frequent volcanic activity. Volcanic ash from eruptions settled at the bottom of the lake over the years, forming a thick layer of volcanic mud. The milky-white volcanic mud at the lakebed resembles milk, and the water has a cloudy white appearance, which is how the lake got its name.
The volcanic mud is rich in various minerals and is considered a skincare treasure—definitely an experience not to be missed when visiting Palau. (Image provided / Mook Editorial Department)
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