Palau may be the 16th-smallest country in the world but it punches well above its weight as an internationally recognised snorkelling and scuba-diving destination. There are at least 1450 different species of reef fish inhabiting these waterways and exceptional water clarity means you’ll want to spend most of your time trying to spot them all. Palau Dive Adventures offer small-boat diving tours complete with bento box lunches and insider insights. Excursions are dependent on weather conditions but always include hitting the water at three sites and a Rock Islands tour, two underwater expeditions in Peleliu, or two dives and a snorkel session in Jellyfish Lake. Keep in mind, rental gear and a diving permit are not included.

A collection of more than 400 tree-covered limestone and volcanic islets southwest of Koror, the Rock Islands cover over 100,200 hectares and are surrounded by bright blue waters and lively reefs. At least 385 coral species and 13 shark and manta ray species call this splash of sea home. The 52 marine lakes – seawater bodies separated from the ocean by land borders – peppered across the islands have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, while archaeological remains and cultural sites are dated to more than 2,500 years old. Travel to the islands either by seaplane or by boat, but take note: you aren’t permitted to set foot on some of these due to the migratory patterns of fragile fauna, including the resident nesting turtles, who call them home. Necomarine’s guided kayaking and snorkelling tours travel between the iridescent waterways with lunch included in your tour price.

In his workshop and store, master carver Ling Inabo of Tebang Woodcarving Shop tenderly maintains the art of itabori. The traditional storyboards, which originated in bai, the traditional chief’s meeting house, bring Palauan folklore to life. Both souvenirs and custom works are available to purchase but for the ultimate immersion into the heritage craft, take a workshop with Ling, where he’ll guide you through the fundamentals. Book in advance and you’ll have your own piece to take home. Explore a different medium at the Belau Eco Glass Center, where discarded glass bottles are turned into fine glass crafts by local artisans. Fish ‘N Fins run tours to take part in a glass-blowing class. You can also watch the masters at work, learn about sustainable practices and collect a piece of conservation-focused art. 

Traditional Palauan cuisine revolves around seafood, root vegetables and fruit. Taro features heavily, as well as yam, fish, clams and crab. At the bi-weekly 680 Night Market, on the side of the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge just 10 minutes from Koror, local street food vendors turn out Palauan, Filipino and BBQ dishes while traditional dancers perform to the beats of live music and local carvers put on a show. Seek out tebirchel, or sweet taro leaf stew; freshly-caught reef fish sashimi; and pichi-pichi, a cassava-based dessert. For more elevated fare, Elilai Seaside Dining serves dishes inspired by Palau and the Pacific Rim, including mangrove clam linguine and steamed fish of the day. 

Demonstrating the majesty of the traditional wooden canoe, or wa’a (which means “vein”, a nod to the boat’s power of connection), Paddling Palau is revitalising the vessel that linked the islands of Micronesia for thousands of years. The family-run business operates a half-day tour in a handmade canoe (the hull of which was carved over the course of a month from a single fallen tree) under the guidance of a master navigator, who’ll lead you from island to island – all while supporting the age-old craftsmanship of master carvers. 

Once you’ve had your fill of island-hopping, it’s time to see it all from the sky. Smile Air offers a range of experiences – spanning 25-minutes, 40-minutes or 55-minutes – that show off Palau’s epic landscape from a different perspective. Experienced pilots take travellers in small planes and soar above the Milky Way, Jellyfish Lake and Koror, as well as the Seventy Islands, the sandbar of Long Beach and Blue Corner, the world-famous dive site. For an extra fee, you can fly with the doors off, so you can feel the breeze whip past during your voyage. 

On the island of Babeldaob, the traditional village of Airai is anchored by a bai – chief’s meeting place – that’s over 100 years old and is a living testament to the structures that once numbered in the hundreds across the archipelago. While in the area, learn about the art of crafting traditional Palauan hibiscus-bark skirts, discover the cultivation of taro at the Field of Legacy and prepare local food with a community leader. You can also take part in a guided cultural heritage tour or visit in the evening and add a dinner – fuelled by sea-to-table practices and sustainable harvesting – and dance performance to the itinerary. 

After a day of exploring Palau’s reefs and volcanic mountains, Palau Pacific Resort is a quiet retreat into the other side of island life. The first to be built in Palau, the one-bedroom overwater bungalows feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that lead out onto a private deck complete with an outdoor bathtub, loungers and panoramic ocean views. The broader resort offers multiple dining experiences and room service, so you can dive into linguine pescatore from the comfort of your oceanic pad. There’s also high tea and a soothing menu of treatments available at the on-site spa, including a frangipani nectar wrap and reflexology massage. 

The oldest continuously run museum in Micronesia, this institution on Koror hosts exhibits over two floors as well as in the adjacent replica bai. The museum is a time capsule of the islands’ history, showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of Palau, flora and fauna (including in the botanic gardens on site), pre-colonial life and the difficult legacy of occupation on the islands. One exhibit, the Cycle of Life, highlights the traditions of Palauan culture and the historic perspectives on the role that nature plays in the life cycle. There are two full-size Palauan canoes on display and a room dedicated to timber craftsmanship.

A trip to Palau is not complete without beachside lounging – and the islands are flush with sundrenched coastal havens ideal for doing just that. Long Island Park Beach, down Koror’s main road, is a popular haven for locals and visitors alike thanks to its warm lapping water, protected ocean-pool, sand volleyball court and picnic tables. On Ngeruktabel island, Ngeremdiu Beach is a more secluded option; it’s tucked away, with clear and shallow water and accessible by boat from Koror. Nearby Ngchus Beach offers shaded green islets above lively reefs (and a World War II plane wreckage). At low tide, Long Beach appears as a sandbar off Omekang islands, surrounded by teal water with exceptional visibility.