Over 10,000 years ago, as the last ice age ended, sea levels rose and filled depressions in Palau’s limestone islands, which became inland marine lakes. There are around seventy of these lakes in Palau, defined by their salinity, and also their tendency to host unique ecosystems, cut-off from their oceanic roots. The most famous is Jellyfish Lake, known locally as Ongeim’l Tketau, where jellyfish have evolved to worship the sun to survive.

Read more about how Palau is fighting to save its endangered reefs here.

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Palau’s Golden Jellyfish of the Sun

Over 10,000 years ago, as the last ice age ended, sea levels rose and filled depressions in Palau’s limestone islands, which became inland marine lakes. There are around seventy of these lakes in Palau, defined by their salinity, and also their tendency to host unique ecosystems, cut-off from their oceanic roots. The most famous is Jellyfish Lake, known locally as Ongeim’l Tketau, where jellyfish have evolved to worship the sun to survive.

Read more about how Palau is fighting to save its endangered reefs here.

Drifting Through Paradise

Willingly jump into an entire lake filled with jellyfish?!? A must if you are in Palau. These particular type of jellyfish do not sting; instead their food source (algae) is cultivated inside their bodies. Only snorkeling (no SCUBA diving) is permitted in Jellyfish Lake, but the surface is where all the action is. During the day, these jellies drift along the surface to follow the sun. At night, they descend into the nitrogen-rich lake bottom. Jellyfish Lake is less than an hour away from Koror, Palau. Visitors must obtain a permit to snorkel here; the permit for Jellyfish Lake/Rock Islands is good for 10 days. Rumor has it that permit fees will increase drastically in the fall of 2012... Travel now!

Swimming with giant manta rays, sharks and friendly jellyfish

In the warm turquoise waters off Palau, Micronesia, a giant manta ray swooped over to my astonished face. “Would you like an ocean ride?” he smiled. I climbed onto his velvety wings. We sailed away, past schools of sharks, enjoying their lunch buffet. Clams, the size of cars, opened and shut, as if to say “Hey Girl, what took you so long to get here?” Emerald and purple parrotfish swam among ballet pink sea fans. In Jellyfish Lake, I snorkeled with hundreds of moon jellyfish, lovely golden globes without stings, eager to caress my body. Who would ever think I could be friends with jellyfish? In serene sacred Palau, nature and humans play happily together. Be brave! Slide into the stunning sea, embrace Palau’s magnificent beauty. Your life will be forever changed.

Swim in Palau's Jellyfish Lake

Palau’s Jellyfish Lake is home to millions of jellyfish, deemed relatively harmless since their sting is so light. But, a swim with thousands of jellyfish surrounding you might be worth a sting or two.

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