palau boat trip

Experience Palau

Conservation Impact

Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission . They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. A portion of your trip fees for this expedition will support our non-profit partner Micronesian Shark Foundation , which facilitates the study of sharks throughout Micronesia, particularly in Palau, and provides science to support shark protection in Micronesia and beyond. Oceanic Society has led multiple trips per year to Palau and Micronesia since 1998, generating thousands of dollars in park fees that support the protection of Jellyfish Lake and the Rock Islands, both part of the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Dates & Prices

Feb 10-18, 2025, nov 1-9, 2024, nov 4-12, 2025, day 1: arrive in koror, palau (corresponds to the first day of the trip dates you select).

On this day you will need to arrive in Koror (Palau) so that you can start your in-water activities the following morning (Day 2). Most travelers will need to leave at least one day earlier, as you will cross the International Date Line on the flight to Palau. Upon your arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your comfortable hotel.

Days 2 thru 7: Snorkeling the Rock Islands

The total reef complex of Palau—the fringing reefs, the outer barriers, and the varied communities within the tiny coves and marine lakes—has been described as one superorganism. The reef is riddled with hundreds of tiny mushroom-shaped islands dressed in tropical foliage that are known as the Floating Gardens or Rock Islands. These jungle coated limestone mounds rise straight up from the water, their bases eaten away by wave action and shellfish. Our days will be spent snorkeling and investigating the protected reefs of the Rock Islands, as well as the outer reef walls of the barrier reef by boat. A typical day starts with early morning breakfast and a short, private bus ride to the dock to catch our private boat for the day's adventure. Weather will determine the order of our itinerary. Most snorkeling and natural history sites are within a 20 to 60 minute boat ride from our dock. We may visit as many as 6 different snorkeling spots in the course of a day. We will have daily lunch and siesta breaks at some of the many isolated beaches of the Rock Islands, and all the lunch spots do have bathrooms. We return to our hotel around 4:00 to 5:00 PM each day.

Day 8: Koror

On our final day we will explore the city of Koror, traveling by van on a guided excursion. Highlights will include visits to the Belau National Museum, a woodcarving center, and the only remaining traditional "bai," the ancient, men's meeting house.

Day 9: Koror, Departure

Catch your return flight from Koror (most flights depart at midnight). For passengers traveling the U.S. most flights will go to Honolulu via Guam, crossing the International Date Line and arriving in Honolulu in the evening of the previous day.

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Accommodations

The pool area at the Cove Resort.

Naturalist(s)

Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:

Michelle Paddack

Dalton Ambat

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Palau Scenic Flight Over The Rock Islands

A scenic flight over the Rock Islands is becoming one of the most popular things for tourists to do in the little country of Palau, and it’s easy to see why: this is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific!

While it’s a great idea to visit the Rock Islands on a boat tour , the scenic flight gives you an amazing and unique perspective that is really hard to beat.

I joined one of these flights recently on a little prop plane with Pacific Mission Aviation , and the whole thing was such a great experience.

They take the doors off for pictures, and you get an overhead view of the town of Koror, followed by incredible views of hundreds of Palau’s nicest islands, lakes, and lagoons. It’s paradise!

This travel blog will explain everything you need to know about the Palau scenic flights, including the booking process, prices, safety, and what to expect when you’re in the air. I’ll also share some of the pictures I took on my own flight!

Table of Contents show 1) Where Are The Rock Islands Located? 2) The Company: Pacific Mission Aviation 3) Palau Scenic Flight: What To Expect 4) When Is The Best Time To Fly? 5) What Does The Flight Cost? 6) Is It Safe? 7) Is It Worth It? 8) Fun Facts About The Rock Islands Of Palau 9) Frequently Asked Questions (Palau Scenic Flight) 10) Rock Islands Boat Tour In Palau 11) More Palau Travel Guides  

Where Are The Rock Islands Located?

The Rock Islands are located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of mainland Koror, Palau, so they’re easy to reach by plane.

With a prop plane, you can get to the very best islands in about 10 minutes, although the scenery starts as soon as you lift off from Koror!

Flying over Palau is an unreal experience!

The Company: Pacific Mission Aviation

Scenic flights in Palau have been pioneered by a company called Pacific Mission Aviation (PMA), and they’re currently the only company that offers scenic flights over Palau.

PMA is primarily a Christian missionary organization, and by doing a scenic flight with them you’re helping to subsidize the humanitarian and medical work they do in the islands, while also helping them offset the costs of the inter-island flights they run for Palauan locals.

They’re doing a great work in Palau, and being able to contribute to that is a nice little bonus of going on one of their scenic flights!

One of my favorite pictures of the Rock Islands

Perfect weather for a scenic flight

Palau Scenic Flight: What To Expect

My scenic flight in Palau started with a 10:20 AM pickup from my hotel in the town of Koror.

I was traveling solo, but I had contacted PMA in advance and they were able to join me with a group of 3 other passengers doing the Rock Islands flight that day.

I hopped in the PMA van with the other passengers (all international tourists), and together we made the quick 20 minute drive over to PMA’s hangar at the Palau International Airport.

For check in, we spent a few minutes filling out a liability waiver and they charged our credit cards, and then we went out to the hangar to get ready for our flight in the little Cessna 206.

Palau has to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world

The Milky Way

PMA takes the doors off of the plane for all of their scenic flights in Palau, which gives you great views and photo opportunities. For safety, you’ll have a seat belt and there’s also a safety bar that covers part of the open doorway.

The main thing you need to be careful about is sticking your phone or camera out the open door. The wind can be strong, so you have to hold it really tight with both hands or you could lose it.

If this is your first time flying in a little prop plane like this, then you may be a bit nervous lifting off the ground at first, but you forget about that pretty quick once you’re in the air.

Our Cessna 206 plane at the hangar

It’s easy to take pictures during the flight, but hang onto your phone or camera!

The views are amazing even as you leave Koror. The town may not seem like anything special when you’re on the ground, but from above you can see that it’s actually surrounded by all kinds of lagoons and limestone rock formations.

PMA provided a headset for each of us to wear, which blocked some of the noise from the plane, and they gave a commentary explaining all of the sights in Palau as we flew over them. The Rock Islands look so perfect from above. It’s one of my favorite landscapes anywhere in the world!

We saw tropical islands of all different shapes and sizes, with turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, barren sandbars, and rock arches. Even with a drone, it would be hard to get views like this.

Tropical paradise

Some of the famous landmarks we spotted along the way include the Milky Way, Jellyfish Lake, German Channel, and the iconic ’70 Islands’ formation that you always see on postcards and other souvenirs from Palau.

The total experience took about 2 hours including the pickup and drop-off from my hotel, and the flight time is about 40 minutes, but we got to see and photograph so many things in that amount of time!

As a cool bonus after we arrived back at the hangar, we also got to watch a C130 plane from the Australian Air Force land on the same runway where we had taken off earlier.

Coming in for landing

When Is The Best Time To Fly?

The Palau scenic flights normally go in the morning, when there’s the best chance for clear weather. The sky was totally clear when we started our tour, and we were already back at the hangar before some clouds began to build.

The time of year that you fly doesn’t matter too much, since Palau has plenty of rain all year long. The driest months in Koror and the Rock Islands are January to April, but even those months have plenty of rain.

I wouldn’t worry about it too much either way, because the rain tends to come in the evening or at night. You can never guarantee you’ll have perfect weather no matter when you go.

I visited Palau in September, which is supposed to be one of the more rainy months of the year, but actually the weather was perfect and there was no rain at all for several days, so it didn’t affect my travels one bit.

The ’70 Islands’ formation

What Does The Flight Cost?

As a solo traveler on this trip, I paid $180 USD plus a 3.5% charge for paying by credit card. They accept US credit cards, but not American Express.

Their flights have a 3 passenger minimum, so that can also affect the cost. If they don’t have at least 3 passengers for your flight, then you may have to pay extra or reschedule it to another date or time.

You can check the current prices and other terms on their website . They provide free hotel pickup and drop-off in Palau, and there’s no charge to take the doors off the plane for photography.

One of the many lagoons we saw on our tour

Is It Safe?

Pacific Mission Aviation has been doing flights in Palau since 2012. In addition to the scenic flights, they also do inter-island flights in Palau to places like Angaur and Peleliu, so they have a fair amount of experience.

A plane is only as safe as the person flying it, but the Cessna 206 is generally known to be a safe and reliable aircraft. I wouldn’t want to fly one every day for my occupation, but I think a short scenic flight like this is very safe.

The Rock Islands are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012

Is It Worth It?

Yes, I think the Palau scenic flight is totally worth it! This is one of the best landscapes in the world, and there’s no better way to see it than from above.

It’s an amazing experience, and the price is very reasonable for what you get. For comparison, I paid almost twice as much for my Great Blue Hole flight in Belize, and also for the Franz Josef glacier helicopter tour that my wife and I did in New Zealand.

On the Palau flight, I was able to take lots of great pictures of the Rock Islands, and overall it was much better and cheaper than similar tours I’ve done around the world.

One of the first photos I took on my Palau flight

Fun Facts About The Rock Islands Of Palau

• Why are they called the Rock Islands? The Rock Islands may not look like rocks, but they actually are in fact limestone rock formations covered with tropical vegetation.
• How many islands are there? According to UNESCO , there are approximately 445 uninhabited islands in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, and they cover a total area of 100,200 hectares (about 250,000 acres).
• What is the UNESCO status? The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012, because of its exceptional beauty, natural biodiversity, and cultural value.
• What kinds of animals live there? The Rock Islands are home to birds, fruit bats, dugongs, sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, and many kinds of coral, fish, and giant clams.

See the tiny boat?

Frequently Asked Questions (Palau Scenic Flight)

• Which airport is used for the flights? The PMA scenic flight departs from the Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, also known as the Palau International Airport in Koror. However, for the tour, you’ll go to PMA’s office and hangar, which is on the north apron side of the Palau airport ( map here ).
• Can you take pictures? Yes, you can take pictures to your heart’s content! I took more than 200 photos with my camera during the flight, plus some videos with my phone. They were even cool enough to let me mount my GoPro on the plane wing for another perspective. Overall, as a photographer, this flight was a much better experience than my scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole in Belize, although that was fun too.
• Which seat is best? The two right seats are best since they normally open the door on the right side of the plane. In my case, I was put in a corner seat on the left side of the plane, but I was still able to take pictures by craning over to the right side. The plane is small enough you’ll have nice views in any seat.
• How many passengers will there be? The PMA flights normally have a minimum of 3 passengers, and a max of 5. In order to go with less than 3 passengers, you’d have to pay extra.
• Can you fly after scuba diving? According to PMA, the flights operate at an altitude of around 300 meters (1,000 feet) where there is no decompression required.
• Do I need to bring my passport? You don’t need to bring your passport for the scenic flight.
• How can I book the Palau scenic flight? You can book a Rock Islands scenic flight on the official website for Pacific Mission Aviation .

The 70 Islands

One last look out the window

Rock Islands Boat Tour In Palau

While many people choose to see the islands with a scenic flight, another great option is to visit them with a boat tour .

On a speedboat tour to the Rock Islands of Palau, you can do lots of fun activities like swimming in a bright turquoise lagoon nicknamed the Milky Way, walking on a soft white sandbar called Long Beach, and even snorkeling in a lake full of stingless jellyfish!

If you have the time and budget, you should try to do both activities. The scenic flight and boat tour are very different experiences, but they’re both amazing!

Read More: Rock Islands Palau Boat Tour

Boat tours in Palau are another amazing way to see the Rock Islands!

More Palau Travel Guides

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this guide for how to do a Palau scenic flight over the Rock Islands. It was one of my favorite experiences in the little country of Palau.

Don’t forget to check out my Palau Travel Guide before you go!  

• Rock Islands Palau Boat Tour
• Palau Travel Guide: Tips, Info & Pictures

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Snorkeling Palau’s Underwater Wilderness

Day 1:  Koror, Palau Meals provided: Airport arrival and transfer to Palau Pacific Resort. Overnight Palau Pacific Resort.

Days 2 : Palau Pacific Resort /  Rock Island Aggressor  Meals provided: B,L,D After breakfast we will have our first chance to immerse ourselves in Palau’s warm tropical ocean water! The house reef at PPR is a shallow, sandy habitat abundant with coral and sea grass. We have all day to explore the rich area, where we can look for giant clams, rooftop pipefish, and watch varieties of parrotfishes and wrasses roam through the reef and seagrass beds. There are also aged pilings along the northern edge of the beach that are worth our attention! In the late afternoon, we board the Rock Island Aggressor and begin our journey to the southern end of Palau’s barrier reef. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 3: Southern Barrier Reef /  Ngedebus Coral Gardens / Turtle Cove Meals provided: B,L,D We wake to find ourselves moored just outside the barrier reef in the southern end of the archipelago. Shallow reef flats, abundant with corals and reef fish sit atop nearly a thousand feet of nearly vertical reef. This area gives us the chance to begin our snorkeling in a relatively shallow part of the barrier reef where we will find spur and groove type of reef development. Healthy corals attract a variety of tropical fish including schools of snapper, rabbitfishes, and goatfishes as well as blacktop sharks, turtles, and eagle rays. Turtle Cove is a continuation of Ngedebus, with noticeable differences being a more vertical wall and the chance to snorkel above (or down into!) a natural sink hole in the shallow reef flat. we’ll look for schools of parrotfishes, several different species of butterflyfishes and the fire tail dartfish along the shallow reef margin! Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 4: Peleliu Meals provided: B,L,D The island of Peleliu defines the southern tip of the Palau’s barrier reef, and while famous for the brutal battle fought there in 1944, it is locally famous for having some of the most dynamic reefs in the archipelago.  Weather and currents will dictate whether we will snorkel in some of the coral gardens on the east side, or above walls on the west side. If we have time, we will arrange to visit some of the WWII wrecks left behind after the war.  Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 5 – 6: Southern Barrier Reef /  Big Drop-off / German Channel Meals provided: B,L,D We continue to explore some of Palau’s best reefs in the southern part of the barrier reef. Palau is famous for the variety and abundance of marine life that dwells along the vertical, seaward reefs. Schools of anthias, damselfishes, barracudas, jacks, snappers, and unicornfishes contribute to the thousands of reef fishes that can be found along the reef margins. Expect to see sharks and rays as Palau is one of the few countries in the world that affords them complete protection. Grey reef, blacktip, and whitetip reef sharks are common and with a bit of luck, we may encounter manta rays and spotted eagle rays. Some of our snorkel sites along the barrier reef include Big Drop-off, German Channel, Virgin Blue Hole, and Barnum’s Wall. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 7: Jellyfish Lake / Einstein’s Garden Meals provided: B,L,D Moored inside Palau’s lagoon, we are surrounded by rock islands that are alive with the sounds of bird and insect calls. Our destination this morning is Jellyfish Lake where millions of golden and thousands of moon jellies can be found floating peacefully in the protected marine lake. This is an out-of-this-world experience as we become almost encapsulated by these beautiful jellies. Thousands of years of isolation and a food supply provided largely by their symbiotic algae\ has rendered their stinging nematocysts impotent. In the afternoon, we will visit Einstein’s Garden where colorful species of brain corals grow in great abundance within the sheltered arms of the Rock Islands. Nearby is another charming marine lake that we can visit via snorkeling and we will have the opportunity for an intimate experience with mud in the Milky Way :-). Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 8: Lighthouse Channel Meals provided: B,L,D Lighthouse channel is named for the large 1900’s-era German-built lighthouse that sits atop the northeastern tip of Urukthapel, overlooking the eastern entrance (Lighthouse channel) into Malarial harbor. During WWII, Japanese soldiers used the trail to the top to set up canons to defend the harbor entrance. We’ll spend the day snorkeling in the intimate network of marine lakes and tiny pocket reefs near the ‘dock’ that allows access to the trail. And for those interested in the hike, not only is it worth it for the view, but for the chance to see Micronesian kingfishers and some neat history in the form of a centuries-old lighthouse and 6” WWII canons strewn upon the trail. Dinner at Kramer’s Bar and Restaurant in Koror. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 9 – 10: Ulong Island Meals provided: B,L,D Located along the western edge of the barrier reef, the island of Ulong is not only one of the more beautiful of the islands in Palau but is also home to the one of the best snorkel sites in Palau, Ulong channel. Thousands of years of tidal movements created a huge channel in the reef. Schools of snapper, unicornfishes, goatfishes, barracuda, and trevally hover above the substrate where nooks between the dense coral growth harbor giant grouper. Along the shallow sides of the channel are fields of blue, green, and yellow staghorn coral intermixed with huge century-old boulder corals. Ulong Island also has a network of bays and lagoons where we can find shallow protected reefs buzzing with juvenile reef fish. Add in a marine lake, examples of WWII and cultural history, and a beautiful white sand beach perfect for lunch! Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 11: Rock Islands  Meals provided: B,L,D Within the Rock Islands of Palau are several snorkel sites that offer unique and rewarding opportunities. First is the rich fringing reef called Cemetery Reef. Named for the overall shape of the reef (headstone-like) it is far from dead. With nearly 80% coral coverage and aquarium like conditions, this reef usually gets a lot of attention from our guests. Soft Coral Arch is a small but mesmerizing snorkel site. Consistent water movement through a shaded arch in the rock island created a ‘perfect storm’ of conditions ideally suited for several species of colorful soft corals, notably a species of Dendronephythea that can be bright purple, pink, orange, or red! Lunch on the boat somewhere in there and then we will visit a shallow shipwreck, completely intact and overgrown with coral. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 12 – 13: Nikko Bay / Risong Bay Meals provided: B,L,D Nikko Bay is a collection of stunning rock islands that harbor a variety of amazing fringing reefs, shallow coral gardens, marine lakes, classic and collapsed caves, and historical WWII wrecks left behind by the Japanese during their occupation of Palau. Nikko will be a long day for us! Nearby Risong Bay is a large bay fringed by a series of intimate marine lakes including Palau’s famous Mandarinfish Lake! We begin the day with a visit to Blacktip Lake to see the variety of birds that inhabit the rock islands as well as snorkel the reef/seagrass bed out front. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 14: Airai Stone Money / Nikko Bay  Meals provided: B,L,D The stone money that Yapese sailors brought back to the island of Yap was quarried in Palau and there is a well preserved quarry site located in Airai that we can access from a small dock along the shoreline. A short hike takes us to a site where examples of stone money in various stages of completion can be found. The rest of the day will be spent in Nikko Bay, visiting snorkel sites that we missed due to time limitations the day before. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 15: Lighthouse Channel Meals provided: B,L,D After breakfast we’ll snorkel a reef adjacent to Buoy #6 in Lighthouse Channel. This once famous dive site is still known for the abundance of shallow coral that benefits from strong water movement in and out of the area. But why is it not necessarily famous anymore? The wreck, called Buoy #6, was the attraction and it has since disintegrated in the strong currents and corrosive conditions. In the afternoon we will take a final rock island tour through the gorgeous network of limestone islands and snorkel in one of the many lush coral gardens that grow right up next to the islands. Overnight Rock Island Aggressor.

Day 16:  Palau Pacific Resort / PICRC Meals provided: B,L,D After breakfast, we will transfer to PPR and check in to our rooms. In the late morning we will visit the aquarium at Palau International Coral Reef Center. After lunch in town, the rest of the afternoon is on your own. Farewell dinner at PPR followed by late evening transfers to the airport. Overnight Palau Pacific Resort*.

*We have the hotel reserved for the entire night. Most international flights routing through Guam (and onwards to the United States) depart Palau around 2:00am. Thus, we will be departing the resort on Day 16 (midnight) to make our international connections on Day 17 (around 2:00am). 

Day 17:  International flights or extensions Please make flight reservations to depart Palau on Day 17 (unless you are extending your stay). Most international flights routing through Guam (and onwards to the United States) depart Palau around 2:00am

April 06 – 22, 2024 ←Click to request a booking Accommodations: Rock Islands Aggressor, Palau Pacific Resort Guides: Lee Goldman Length: 17 days

Prices and Payment schedule: $8500 USD per person, double occupancy Please enquire about the limited availability of single cabins

Reservation deposit: $500 USD Oct 06, 2023: $4000 USD Jan 06, 2024: $4000 USD

Tour cost includes:

• Accommodations on day 1 through day 17
• All meals on days 2 through 16 (dinner on day 1)
• All internal transfers including international arrival and departure transfers
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• All snorkeling and park fees
• All gratuities

Tour cost does not include:

• Round-trip international airfare
• Additional hotel accommodations and meals as a result of travel outside of the program dates
• Visa requirements including payments
• Alcoholic beverages
• International departure taxes
• Extra / overweight baggage fees
• Trip insurance (recommended; (we recommend Travel Guard ,  World Nomads , or  Travel Insure )
• DAN insurance (required unless personal insurance program has worldwide emergency evacuation services)
• Additional accommodations while on tour in the event of flight schedule changes or events of force majeure
• Fuel surcharges (if applicable)

Cancellation policy: 180 – 91 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 90 days or less prior to departure: 100% of tour cost

Please see our Terms and Conditions

ACCOMMODATIONS

We use the finest live-aboard boat to host us on our snorkeling adventures in Palau, the Rock Island Aggressor. Our resort is the luxurious Palau Pacific Resort. Please visit our accommodations  page for more photos or use the link to visit the given website.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Palau is located 7º above the equator and experiences the classical Micronesian weather pattern: Sunny with a chance of rain. Early morning or late afternoon showers are not uncommon throughout the year. Daily temperatures average around 86º F (30º C) and water temperatures around 84º F (29º C ). Cooler surface waters may be experienced within the lagoon if persistent rains result in a layer of freshwater as it trickles out from caches in the porous rock islands.

Strong currents are a possibility on some of our snorkel sites. While we often schedule our session during a time when the currents are minimal, there will be planned drift snorkels. These types of snorkels take advantage of the water movement and allow us to float over the reef without having to actively swim. This activity usually becomes an instant favorite among our guests as it is very exciting and yet very passive at the same time! In some cases, however, the unpredictability of the tides may expose us to strong water movement. This may require a bit of effort though we will always have our dinghies standing by to help if needed.

We will have the chance to visit beaches and hike on established trails on the limestone islands. The most notable of these land excursions is our visit to Jellyfish Lake. The hike is on a well worn, well-established path but it does involve a twenty minute hike on an uneven, up and down trail. There are handrails for support, but please note that good foot protection is required.

Please read more about our daily schedule .

WHAT TO BRING

The following list is a suggestion of things to bring and applies to almost all our trips. Specific items on a particular departure will be noted on the departure information.

-A good fitting mask, snorkel, and set of fins. If your equipment is brand new, please try it out in the pool. Determining the fit and function of your equipment in the pool includes doing several laps with all your equipment on. Doing several snorkel dives is also very beneficial. It is also important to clean your new equipment, especially your mask. Cleaning procedures for your mask include light scrubbing with toothpaste or dishwasher soap to remove the layer of silicon used to preserve the mask during shipping. Clean both sides of the mask. Doing this greatly reduces the chances of having your mask fog. Not doing this, even when using mask de-fogger, usually results in a fogged mask.

-A wetsuit, rash guard, diveskin, or any type of clothing that can be used for thermal and/or protection from the sun. We suggest bringing a full 3mm wetsuit and some type of core insulation like a vest or shirt made of 1 – 2 mm neoprene (e.g., Lavacore or Sharkskin shirts or vests) . These items will not only provide thermal protection but protection from the sun as well. For those who feel that a 3mm suit may be too warm, please consider a full body skin or rash guard to ensure protection from the sun. With regards to thermal protection, remember the saying: It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. One that note…

-Head protection in the form of a wetsuit hood, a cap, or even a bandana. Anything that can keep the sun off your head is extremely important. It is the most exposed part of our bodies when we are floating on the surface.

-Underwater flashlight on departures with a planned night snorkel

-Biodegradable sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen lotions can be harmful and even kill tiny larvae (baby marine life). It is fine to wear on land, but we highly discourage the use of sunscreen lotions in the water. A full wetsuit or dive skin will protect one from the sun much better than lotions and provide thermal protection. It is truly a win-win for everyone and the marine environment.

-Casual, lightweight, tropical clothing -Sunglasses (and a spare in case you lose your main pair) -Comfortable footwear such as active sandals (Teva, Keen, Merrell, etc.) -Hats. We cannot stress the importance of a hat in the tropics! -All our boats provide items like shampoo, soap, towels, etc. We bring this up because these items represent added weight or may leak.

Other items to consider: -Lightweight rainwear to protect from the occasional afternoon shower -Binoculars

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1. Catamaran Tour TENERE' Maddalena Archipelago from Cannigione

2. Sailboat tour from PALAU to the Maddalena Archipelago.

3. Luxury catamaran from Porto Rafael-Palau to the Maddalena Archipelago

4. Private Catamaran Tour to the Maddalena Archipelago from Porto Rafael Palau

5. Private Catamaran Tour to the Maddalena Archipelago from Cannigione

6. Boat Tour Full Day La Maddalena, Caprera, Spargi, Budelli

7. La Maddalena Archipelago Sailing Tour with Lunch from Palau

8. La Maddalena Archipelago Catamaran Day Tour

9. Sailing ship from Porto San Paolo (S.Teodoro-Olbia) to Tavolara, Molara

10. Catamaran Miguel DA CANNIGIONE for the Maddalena Archipelago

11. Private Tour and Snorkeling, Islands of Budelli, Razzoli, Santa Maria and Spargi.

12. La Maddalena Archipelago Comfort Boat Tour

13. Boat trip La Maddalena Archipelago - Departure from Palau

14. Private Boat Tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago

15. Maddalena Archipelago Private Sailboat Tour from PALAU

16. Corsica Tour by Sailboat from Santa Teresa di Gallura

17. Tour of the Archipelago of La Maddalena ecofriendly

18. 7-Hour Motorboat Tour of La Maddalena Archipelago

19. Daily excursions on a sailing boat, Maddalena Archipelago

20. 4-stop boat excursion to La Maddalena Archipelago

21. Become a member and Sail La Maddalena Archipelago (from Palau)

22. Moonlight catamaran on Maddalena Archipelago from CANNIGIONE

23. Boat tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago

24. 7 Days Gran Tour Sardinia and Corsica from Genoa or Rome

25. 6 Days Sardinia Tour from Genoa or Rome

26. Private tour to the 7 islands of the La Maddalena archipelago

27. Exclusive tour in dinghy Bonifacio/Capo Testa

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• Catamaran Tour TENERE' Maddalena Archipelago from Cannigione
• Private Catamaran Tour to the Maddalena Archipelago from Porto Rafael Palau
• Sailing ship from Porto San Paolo (S.Teodoro-Olbia) to Tavolara, Molara
• Corsica Tour by Sailboat from Santa Teresa di Gallura
• Private Boat Tour of the La Maddalena Archipelago
• Palau Excursions & Snorkeling
• NatourSardinia
• Boating Sardinia
• Sardinia Island Tours
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Puerto Rico’s southern coast is the island’s best-kept secret

Take it from a guayama native: the caribbean coast is worth exploring from end to end.

The scenery starts to change when you leave the tall hotels and tapón (traffic jam) of San Juan behind.

Head south on Route 52, and you will start seeing the lush green mountains of Cordillera Central. As you approach the southern coast, the dense vegetation transforms into clusters of cactuses and shrubs, painting an arid landscape against the distant view of the Caribbean Sea.

Ranging east to west from the town of Yabucoa to Cabo Rojo, the southern coast of Puerto Rico is rich in culture, food, beaches and nature. But beyond all the tangible attractions, locals say the spirit of hospitality makes the place unique. “Our greatest asset is the people, who make people feel at home,” says Milexys Rosado Romero, the owner of Hacienda Tres Casitas , a farm stay in Cabo Rojo.

I learned this growing up in Guayama, where neighbors traded mangoes for papayas. My parents were always inviting people for coffee, or my dad might arrive home with a bagful of fresh seafood he got from a friend he ran into at the beach.

Unfortunately, no reliable public transport options exist, so renting a car is the best bet to reach the smaller towns and unspoiled beaches. Highway 52 traverses the island from north to south, taking you from San Juan to Guayama in around 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and to Ponce in two hours or less. Highway 2 takes you west to Cabo Rojo and up the western coast, and Route 3 takes you along the eastern coast with scenic ocean views of Patillas and Maunabo.

If traveling during the fall, you may catch surfers in Guardarraya Beach in Patillas. It’s hard to get lost as you can easily find lesser-known beaches via Google Maps, with good cell coverage throughout the region.

Many of the lodgings offered on the southern coast, from the luxury Copamarina Beach Resort to the kid-friendly Combate Beach Resort , have been owned by local families for generations. Farm stays, small inns known as paradors and vacation rentals dominate the accommodations, making for a relaxed scene.

I recommend visiting from Wednesdays to Sundays for a livelier scene and more dining options; earlier in the week is perfect for having the beaches all to yourself.

Low-key beaches in Cabo Rojo

Even the Caribbean Sea beaches on the southern coast of Puerto Rico are in chill mode, more relaxed than their choppy Atlantic Ocean counterparts in the north.

With small waves and shallow waters, Combate Beach, on the southwest corner, is ideal for families. Make it a day-long affair with a passion fruit mojito at Annie’s Place with picturesque sunset views.

For a more rustic beach experience, go to Playa Sucia, one of Puerto Rico’s southernmost beaches. While there, hike the trails leading to El Faro de Cabo Rojo and Puente de Piedra for 360-degree views of a colorful mix of Caribbean blues, sandy-colored rocky enclaves and green mangroves along the coast. Walk a mile and a half north of Playa Sucia, and you will encounter the Salinas de Cabo Rojo, with colorful yellow-shouldered blackbirds flying over the pink salt flats.

Boquerón is a neighborhood known for its stands of local fish, oysters and clams. You can also take a dip at its small sandy strip. The neighborhood is vibrant, with music blaring throughout the many kiosks and beachside restaurants, most specializing in seafood. You don’t have to go far inland to find roasted pork at Camino Los Charros. Rosado also recommends La Catumba Lechonera among the many restaurants that specialize in pork.

Restaurants on the rise in Guayama

“Guayama esta pegao” — in style, according to what I’ve heard from many friends across the island.

A coastal city on the southeastern side, it is known for having a charming plaza (town square) with homes and buildings dating from the 1800s. One of these historical homes houses Gallo Pinto , a restaurant by chef Ángel David Moreno Zayas that has become a destination with dishes like grilled oysters, bone marrow with beef tartare, and fried red snapper.

“I’ve worked in many kitchens in San Juan and the mainland United States, but I wanted to open my restaurant in Guayama,” says Moreno Zayas of his hometown. “It started as a casual place because we were recovering from the pandemic, but now we’ve incorporated more fine-dining elements, and the reception has been spectacular.”

After a feast at Gallo Pinto, one must save room for ice cream at one of Guayama’s classic spots, Rex Cream. Owned by Chinese-Cuban immigrants, the Louke Chang family, it’s a mandatory stop. A scoop of salty-sweet corn ice cream with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon is perfect for a walk along the plaza.

At Pozuelo, a fishermen’s neighborhood beyond the city center, go to El Arcoiris for one of my childhood favorites, the octopus salad with a side of tostones. Or bite into a crispy alcapurria — a fritter made of banana and root vegetables — at El Fogón de Susa as you stroll along the beach.

You can find one of the most impressive wine lists in the south at Prime Market , where local couple Laury Cordero Sabater and Antonio Palau transformed an old home along Route 3 into an ample outdoor patio with a menu specializing in steaks.

Art and culture in Ponce

It’s hard to find Puerto Ricans prouder of their hometown than Ponceños. I’m not disputing their pride, because the city has so much to offer, especially in terms of arts and culture.

“Start with a walking tour of the city center of Ponce to learn about the history of Ponce and gain an orientation of the city,” says Melina Aguilar Colón, the founder of Isla Caribe tours. “One of the sights not to be missed is the Parque de Bombas de Ponce,” she said. Initially built in 1882 for the Exhibition Trade Fair, the Ponce firehouse is a symbol of the city; the distinct red-and-black-striped facade was an inspiration for the Ponce flag.

After walking through the city center, go for cocktails along Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano, named after the pioneering salsa singer José Feliciano. At El Marlin 107, William Collazo, a big name in Puerto Rico’s cocktail community, mixes drinks with tropical infusions like coconut water, guava and mangoes. On the weekends, expect live music along the street where you can test your salsa skills. For dinner, head to Chef’s Creations, where you catch chef Jorge Rivera cooking over a wood-fired grill in his restaurant’s patio.

Although the city has suffered structural damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017, followed by an earthquake in 2020, Ponce has focused on reconstruction and updates to many of its cultural institutions. The Teatro La Perla, a cultural hub for performance art, is set to reopen in 2025 with plays and musical performances. The Art Museum of Ponce , home of the iconic “Flaming June” by Sir Frederic Leighton (which is currently on loan to the Royal Academy of Arts in London), recently reopened its doors after extensive repairs.

Ponce is also considered the birthplace of plena music, one of the traditional sounds of Puerto Rico. Deeply infused with African beats, plena tells the story of the Puerto Rican people from the early 1900s. You can learn more about plena and other Puerto Rican music like bomba and danza at the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, a small museum in the city center.

El Bosque dry forest and bioluminescent bays

According to Aguilar Colón, “everybody knows about El Yunque rainforest, but nobody talks about El Bosque Seco de Guánica, the dry forest on the island’s southwest coast.” I agree.

One of the things that makes Puerto Rico unique is the contrast of ecosystems in a relatively small island. Walking along the trails, you will notice the different varieties of cactuses, Guayacán trees and mangroves as you get closer to the shoreline. Birdwatchers will rejoice with the sights of sparrow hawks, hummingbirds and brown pelicans. The dry forest is one of the island’s hottest places, so ensure you bring plenty of water and sun protection.

Next to Guánica, in the neighboring town of Lajas, there’s another natural phenomenon. La Parguera is home to one of the three bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico. Because of overpopulation, it’s not as bright as in Vieques, but it’s still worth a trip if you’re in the area.

The local dock offers boat rides, and you can also find kayak tours taking you deeper into the bay for better views. Beyond the bay, the Parguera is known for its bustling scene on the weekends with plenty of bars, restaurants and bands.

Jessica van Dop DeJesus is a travel and food writer, digital content creator and the author of “ The Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico .” She divides her time between Brussels, D.C. and western New York. Follow her on Instagram @diningtraveler .

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