Koror, Palau
Palau is one of the Pacific's great secrets — a living reef, ancient jellyfish, and turquoise lagoons that look painted. Koror is your gateway to all of it.
Palau is one of the Pacific's great secrets — a living reef, ancient jellyfish, and turquoise lagoons that look painted. Koror is your gateway to all of it.
Most cruise ships anchor off Malakal Harbour and tender passengers ashore. The commercial pier can accept smaller vessels. Downtown Koror is about 2 miles away — don't plan to walk.
💡 Pro move: Sign the Palau Pledge — it's stamped into your passport on arrival and is a legal commitment to responsible tourism.
Koror is primarily a tender port; only smaller ships can dock directly at the shallow Malakal commercial pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most large cruise ships | Malakal Harbour anchorage📍 | Tendered |
| Small/mid-size vessels | Malakal Commercial Port pier📍 | Docked |
The best of Palau is on the water — boat tours to the Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake are unmissable; everything else is a bonus.
Swim among millions of harmless golden jellyfish in a landlocked marine lake, then snorkel the brilliant waters of the Rock Islands UNESCO World Heritage lagoon. The signature Palau experience.
Find Rock Islands tours →Blue Corner is consistently ranked among the world's top dive sites: strong currents, wall diving, sharks, and massive schools of fish. German Channel is famous for manta ray cleaning stations.
Find diving tours →A shallow cove within the Rock Islands where the water turns brilliant turquoise over a white limestone mud seabed. Slather the mineral-rich mud on your skin for a natural spa treatment.
Find Rock Islands snorkel tours →Palau saw fierce fighting in 1944. Dive or snorkel over sunken Japanese warships and visit the Peleliu battlefield where some of the Pacific War's bloodiest combat took place.
Find WWII history tours →A highly rated private museum showcasing Palauan history, traditional canoes, giant clamshells, and historic photography. Pair with a stroll to see storyboard wood-carvers at work.
Explore Koror on foot →The best white-sand beach on the main island belongs to the Palau Pacific Resort. Day passes (~$40-50 USD including food/beverage credit) grant access to the beach, pool, and snorkel reef.
Find beach day options →Koror itself has limited walkable highlights, but the downtown core and KB Bridge viewpoint are worth a look before heading out on a boat excursion.
From the WCTC Shopping Center, walk the main road through central Koror. Browse storyboard carvers' studios, stop at the Etpison Museum, and grab lunch at a local restaurant.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Take a taxi to the base of the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge on the Koror side. A waterfront park sits beneath it with views of the bridge and the island-studded lagoon beyond — free and photo-worthy.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Koror, Palau (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 83°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 24 | 6:19 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Feb | 83°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 21 | 6:19 AM | 6:12 PM |
| Mar | 83°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 22 | 6:09 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Apr | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 24 | 5:53 AM | 6:10 PM |
| May | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 28 | 5:45 AM | 6:11 PM |
| Jun | 83°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 29 | 5:46 AM | 6:18 PM |
| Jul | 83°F / 28°C | 77°F / 25°C | 28 | 5:53 AM | 6:23 PM |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 28 | 5:55 AM | 6:17 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 27 | 5:52 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Oct | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 28 | 5:49 AM | 5:46 PM |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 28 | 5:53 AM | 5:40 PM |
| Dec | 83°F / 28°C | 78°F / 26°C | 27 | 6:06 AM | 5:48 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Taxis are available at Malakal Harbour and operate on a fixed-rate zone system — no meters. Confirm the fare before you go; the port is about 1.5–2 miles from Koror town center.
Koror town center is roughly 1.5–2 miles from Malakal Harbour — walkable in about 30–40 minutes on relatively flat roads, though heat and humidity can be intense.
Several car rental agencies operate in Koror and can deliver to the port area. Driving is on the right; roads are generally good on the main island.
Most of Palau's highlights (Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake, dive sites) are accessible only by boat. Pre-booked guided tours are the primary way to experience them.
Many Koror hotels offer shuttle services to and from the port area. If you have a day pass or restaurant reservation, it's worth asking your venue about transfers.
Upcoming cruises that call at Koror, Palau. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.