Palau
The best time to visit
When to go to Palau
Go 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 links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Feb.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
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.
Month by month
Palau month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Koror.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 280 mm | Fair 37 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 210 mm | Good 47 | Hot and wet. |
| March | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 210 mm | Good 47 | Hot and wet. |
| April | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 230 mm | Good 45 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| May | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 320 mm | Fair 32 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| June | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 420 mm | Avoid 18 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| July | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 430 mm | Avoid 18 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| August | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 400 mm | Avoid 20 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 330 mm | Fair 30 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| October | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 330 mm | Fair 30 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| November | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 260 mm | Fair 40 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| December | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 280 mm | Fair 37 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
By region
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.
Go for
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.
On the calendar
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.
Rainy season
all year.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Palau
Compare hotels and rentals around Koror, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
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
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.