Golden jellyfish
Floating around you.
Lukas from Munich, Germany — CC BY 2.0 · FoxyStranger Kawasaki — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lukas — CC BY 2.0 · Lukas — CC BY 2.0 · CT Snow — CC BY 2.0 · CT Snow — CC BY 2.0
Jellyfish Lake is a small saltwater lake in the forest on Eil Malk island, in the Rock Islands of southern Palau. Calm green water is ringed by tree-covered rock walls, and millions of golden jellyfish move across the lake every day. Its Palauan name is Ongeim'l Tketau, the fifth lake. It connects to the ocean through cracks and tunnels in the limestone of an ancient reef, but is isolated enough that its golden jellyfish have evolved to differ from their relatives in the sea. The lake has two layers: an upper layer with oxygen and a lower layer without, starting at about 15 m deep. Around it in the Rock Islands are about 70 other marine lakes. You arrive by boat, walk a short steep trail over a rocky hill and go down to a wooden jetty on the water. You snorkel gently among the golden jellyfish floating around you. Scuba diving is not allowed, as the lower layer is dangerous. The lake is about 23 km in a straight line south-west of Koror. Sources give the lake permit at US$100 per person. Jellyfish numbers change from year to year and the lake has closed at times, so check its status before booking. Do not touch the jellyfish or kick hard.
Floating around you.
A short climb.
Within forest walls.
Eil Malk island, Rock Islands, Koror State, Palau
No, snorkelling only.
No, it has closed at times; check before booking.