Best Time to Visit Palau

One place, one climate

Palau is small, so the weather barely changes from one island to the next. Our site covers Ngerulmud, the capital, and it's a good guide for the whole country. Ngerulmud sits on Babeldaob, the biggest island. Most visitors stay in Koror, a short drive south, and base their dives and boat trips there. Rock Islands trips and Peleliu all follow the same pattern.

It's warm all year. April is the hottest month at 29°C, but the gap between months is small. You'll feel sticky at midday whatever the date.

Dry season and wet season

Roughly, the drier months run from about February to April. March is our pick. Seas are calmer, skies are clearer, and the Rock Islands are at their best for kayaking and snorkelling. Visibility at dive sites like Blue Corner is often good then, too.

The wet season is longer and less tidy. July is the wettest month at 380 mm, so expect heavy downpours that can last a while. They usually pass, and you can still dive, since you're underwater anyway. But boat rides can get bumpy, and some days are grey. If you want to hike to Ngardmau Falls on Babeldaob, the trail turns slippery and muddy in the rain.

Palau also sits near the typhoon belt, though it's on the southern edge. Storms are less common here than in the Philippines or Guam. Still, check the forecast if you travel in the second half of the year.

Holidays and crowds

High season matches the dry months, plus the stretch around Christmas and New Year. Flights from Asia fill up around Lunar New Year, and Japan's Golden Week at the start of May brings many visitors from there. Rooms in Koror and dive-boat spots go quickly at those times.

Palau's own holidays include Independence Day on 1 October and Thanksgiving in November, which locals mark with family feasts. Some shops and tour operators close for the day, so check before you count on a particular trip.

If you hate crowds, aim for the wetter months. You'll get quieter reefs and easier bookings, as long as you're fine with a few soaked afternoons.