gowhereandwhen.comGo from December to April, the drier northeast-trade months, for the calmest seas and peak visibility at Blue Corner and the Rock Islands. June to October is the wet season, with June and July the wettest months of all.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Koror. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Feb.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Rainy season.
The year at a glance
Palau is Micronesia's masterpiece: hundreds of jungle-domed Rock Islands over a lagoon so rich UNESCO lists it, with sharks, mantas and the world's most famous wall dives. It is hot, humid and rainy by any mainland standard all year, so the rating stays modest; what changes is how much and how hard it rains.
December to April is the drier, settled half, with February to April the driest months and the northeast trades keeping seas calm for the long boat runs to the dive sites. June to October is properly wet, over 400 mm a month at the peak, though dives still run between squalls. Typhoons usually pass north of Palau.
Palau month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Koror.
JanuaryHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 37
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 280 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
FebruaryHot and wet.Good 47
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 210 mm
Hot and wet.
MarchHot and wet.Good 47
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 210 mm
Hot and wet.
AprilHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Good 45
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 230 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
MayHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 32
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 320 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JuneHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 18
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 420 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JulyHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 18
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 430 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
AugustHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 20
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 400 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
SeptemberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 30
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 330 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
OctoberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 30
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 330 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
NovemberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 40
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 260 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
DecemberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 37
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 280 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
Where you go changes when you go
Koror and the Rock Islands
The famous lagoon: Jellyfish Lake, the Milky Way and kayak-perfect coves. Calmest December to April.
The dive sites
Blue Corner, German Channel and Ulong Channel: sharks on the hook, mantas at the cleaning stations, best visibility in the dry trades.
Peleliu and Babeldaob
WWII battlefields on Peleliu, waterfalls and ancient terraces on the big island. Easier in the drier months.
Best time to visit Palau for
Diving
December to April for calm seas and the best visibility, with manta season at German Channel peaking December to March.
Kayaking the Rock Islands
The drier months, for settled water on the lagoon and camping-permit trips.
Snorkelling
Jellyfish Lake and the Milky Way run year round; the dry season gives the clearest water.
Best value
June to October, when rooms and boats go quiet, accepting daily heavy showers.
What is on, and when
Manta season, Dec to Mar
Mantas stack up at German Channel's cleaning stations during the dry trades.
Drier season, Dec to Apr
February to April are the driest months, with the calmest lagoon of the year.
Watch out
Rainy season
all year.
Where to stay in Palau
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Good to know
What is the best time to dive Palau?
Does Palau get typhoons?
Do I need reef-safe sunscreen in Palau?
Where else, and when
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