PALAU, MICRONESIA

What if you could dance with giant manta rays? Pet-friendly jellyfish? Wave hello (and goodbye!) to blacktip reef sharks? Fasten your seat belts for a long flight to Palau, Micronesia, the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Why is Palau considered one of the world’s best dive and snorkel destinations? Most folks wonder where it is, and for good reason: from the U.S. east coast, it involves 20+ flying hours to  Micronesia.

Palau is an archipelago of more than 586 islands, with a population around 20,000. In the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is located four hundred miles north of the Equator, east of the Philippines, in the stunning turquoise Pacific Ocean.

Plan on staying at least a week, two weeks even better.

SNORKELING IN PALAU

Palau has many excellent dive operators, like Splash Dive Center, Palau Diving Center, Sam’s Tours Dive Shop, and Fish ‘N Fins. With their help, I plan to explore some of  Palau’s 1,450 species of fish and 500 species of coral.

Donning my snorkel/mask/fins, I encounter a four-foot silvery black-tipped reef shark, who gives me the eye, then flashes away into the depths.

A limey/pink parrotfish arrives, inviting me for sea tea in his coral castle, then introduces me to his pals, a school of rainbowy butterflyfish.

Our boat cruises to several popular dive sites, but my favorite is aptly named “The Big Deep.” Hopping off the boat, we snorkelers stand on the sand in four feet of clear sea.

Facedown, I stare at clams the size of my dining room table, and brain corals the size of my car. Corals, sea fans, and reef fish are rainbows of raspberry, gold, emerald, and lavender.

I swim into thick schools of fish, trying to wrap my arms around them- they’re just out of reach. A short swim floats me to the reef’s edge, which drops down hundreds of feet.

I hang happily over the abyss, a happy underwater Space Girl.

SWIMMING WITH GIANT MANTA RAYS IN PALAU

Big fish cruise below, and I’m jealous of what my diver pals are seeing. Probably giant manta rays, which grow to fifteen feet and weigh 3000 pounds. Or graceful hawks-bill turtles, navigating thousands of miles. Is that a school of sharks I see, patrolling the depths?

Surrounded with such beauty, I’m euphoric. Why must I remain a landlocked human, when the sea is so alive and dramatic? Could I become my authentic Mermaid self, here in Palau? 

Opalescent bubbles from the diver’s air tanks float upward, popping all over my body. Palau Champagne. Underwater, I laugh out loud.

KAYAKING THE ROCK ISLANDS IN PALAU

The islands of Palau boast the most diverse species of flora and fauna found anywhere in Micronesia. The Rock Islands are limestone, ancient relics of coral reefs that surfaced to form Palau’s southern lagoon.

Kayaking around these 250-300 lushly forested Islands is an up-close way to see many plants, birds, and shallow marine creatures.

“We have 163 plant species, 23 endemic orchids, and 46 species of reptiles,” our guide Jayden Tuelbang explains, as we paddle along the limestone cliffs. “Not to mention 153 species of birds.”

Peering into the clear sea, huge bronze basket corals and mammoth clams impress us. Delicate pink sea fans look like Bolshoi Ballerina tutus. Paddling quietly, we embrace the silence. A soft bell chime pierces the air.

“That’s our Palau Bush Warbler,” smiles Jayden. “She’s calling for her mate.” I’m wishing my mate was here too, to share this magnificence.

A baby blacktip reef shark streaks past my kayak, darting for safety into the mangrove grasses. One foot long, he’s perfectly beautiful, waiting to join his pals in the Pacific Ocean.

SWIMMING WITH JELLYFISH IN PALAU

Living near the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston, South Carolina, I’m not the biggest jellyfish fan. When they line our beaches for miles, that usually discourage swimming.

So when I hear one of Palau’s most fascinating nature encounters is swimming with “friendly jellyfish,” my initial response is: ya’ll have fun, I’m going for a cappuccino.

But I’ve flown so far, why not take a look? First, there’s a steep up and down hike on a rocky tree limbed trail. Nice workout. Then a peaceful lake filled with snorkelers. Hmm, how dangerous could it be?

I nervously hold hands with my pals, Yuri and Emma Krasov, and off we swim into the warm murky lake. A few hand-sized jellys waft past us. Then dozens.

I grab Emma’s shoulder, don’t panic Sharon. Emma is petting the jellyfish like they’re puppies.

She gently pushes one towards my hand. I give it a tap. Feels like jello, soft, rubbery jell-O.

In the middle of this warm lake, we’re guests at a jellyfish party. I feel them bobbing all around me and think, ok, everyone stay calm and just enjoy this Twilight Zone moment.

I wonder if they have brains? Are they happy we are here visiting or are they waiting for us to leave? Surely they have a busy day, sunning, swimming and snacking. Unless you speak jellyfish, all your communication must be telepathic.

Later we learn that when Jellyfish Lake was sealed off from the ocean, the moon and golden jellyfish living here lost their ability to sting. They now live on algae, and spend their day bobbing to the surface, following the sun.

Sounds good to me.

WHERE TO STAY IN PALAU

Palau has a wide variety of hotels and resorts catering to different tastes and budgets. Luxurious Palau Pacific Resort is popular with honeymooners, offering 160 bungalow-style guestrooms on a pristine Pacific Ocean beach. Palm trees surround the beachfront fresh water swimming pool/Jacuzzi.

The Coconut Terrace Restaurant serves excellent Continental/Asian cuisine, and guests enjoy weekly culture/dance performances. Guests can scuba, snorkel, kayak, and aqua bike, through the on-site dive shop, Splash Dive Center. This resort has a wonderful gift/art shop, Milad beauty/nail salon, and the Elilai Spa.  www.palauppr.com

The Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa will appeal to families. The Hotel has water slides, jungle spa pools, a swimming pool, and a beautiful beach.

The Restaurant serves Chinese, Korean, Japanese and South-Pacific dishes. Enjoy massages at the Balinese Spa. www.airaiwaterparadise.com.

Ngellil Nature Island Resort is a true Palau getaway experience. The Resort is on a tropical island, a ten-minute boat ride away from Airai Island.

There are serene rooms in a jungle setting, excellent local cuisine, and tours to caves, relics, and historical sites. Kayak, canoe, snorkel, or just relax in a hammock with a Pacific Ocean view. Plantation@palautelecoms.com.