What is the best time to visit Palau?

Best Time to Visit Palau

The best time to travel to Palau is during the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October).

Dry Season in Palau

The dry season in Palau runs from November to April and is the best time to visit the country. During this time, the weather is pleasant and sunny, and the humidity is low. Travelers can expect temperatures ranging from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius. This season is also the best time to explore the country’s stunning natural attractions, such as the Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake. There are also a variety of festivals and cultural events taking place during this time, such as the Palau International Coral Reef Center Festival and the Palau International Film Festival.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Palau

Palau in January

Weather

January is the start of the dry season in Palau. The temperature is warm and humid, with highs of around 30°C (86°F) and lows of around 24°C (75°F). There is usually very little rain during this time of year, with an average of just 8mm (0.3in) of precipitation.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center celebrates its annual “Coral Reef Festival” in January. This event is a celebration of the beauty and importance of coral reefs, and includes educational activities, live music, and more.
• The “Coconut Festival” is held in January in Palau. This event celebrates the importance of the coconut tree to the culture and economy of Palau, and includes traditional dances, music, and other activities.
• The “Palau International Film Festival” is held in January each year. This festival celebrates the best of international and local film, and includes screenings, awards, and other activities.
• The “Palau International Marathon” is held in January each year. This event includes a full marathon, half marathon, and 10K race, and is open to both local and international runners.
• The “Palau Music Festival” is held in January each year. This event celebrates the best of Palauan music, and includes live performances, workshops, and more.

Palau in January

Weather

January is the coolest month of the year in Palau, with average temperatures ranging from 24-29°C (75-84°F). Rainfall is also common, with an average of 8-10 days of rain throughout the month.

Events

• Palau National Day: Celebrated on January 1st, this holiday marks the independence of Palau from the United Nations Trust Territory in 1994.
• Palau International Coral Reef Center: This center hosts a variety of events throughout the month of January, including educational talks, film screenings, and live music performances.
• Palauan Language and Culture Festival: Held in the capital city of Ngerulmud, this festival celebrates the Palauan language and culture with traditional dance performances, cooking demonstrations, and more.
• Palau International Film Festival: This annual event takes place in the capital city of Ngerulmud, and showcases a variety of films from around the world.
• Palauan Food Festival: Held in the capital city of Ngerulmud, this festival celebrates the unique cuisine of Palau with cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and more.

Palau in March

Weather

March in Palau is generally warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 79°F (26°C) to 88°F (31°C). Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 8-10 inches (20-25 cm).

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) hosts its annual Reef Week in March, featuring educational activities, lectures, and field trips to promote awareness of the importance of coral reefs.
• The Palauan Cultural Festival is held in March, featuring traditional music, dance, and food from Palau.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in March, showcasing films from around the world.
• The Palauan National Marathon is held in March, featuring a 10K, half-marathon, and full-marathon race.
• The Palauan Independence Day celebration is held in March, featuring a parade, fireworks, and traditional music and dance.

Palau in April

Weather

April is the beginning of the dry season in Palau, and the weather is usually hot and humid. Temperatures range from an average of 80-90°F (27-32°C) with high humidity. April is the second driest month of the year with an average of only 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) of rain.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center hosts its annual Coral Festival in April. This event includes a variety of activities such as beach clean-ups, lectures, and educational activities.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in April. This event showcases films from around the world and is a great opportunity to explore the culture and creativity of Palau.
• The Palau Marathon is held in April. This event is a great way to explore the beautiful scenery of Palau and challenge yourself to a marathon.
• The Palau National Day is celebrated in April. This event celebrates the independence of Palau and includes a variety of activities such as parades, traditional dancing, and fireworks.
• The Palau Arts Festival is held in April. This event showcases the traditional and contemporary art of Palau and includes a variety of activities such as performances, workshops, and exhibitions.

Palau in May

Weather

In May, the weather in Palau is hot and humid. The average temperature is around 28°C (82°F) and the humidity is high. The rainy season starts in May, so there is an increased chance of rain.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center holds its annual Reef Week celebration in May. This event includes a variety of activities, such as educational talks, beach clean-ups, and snorkeling trips.
• The Palauan Cultural Festival is held in May. This event celebrates the culture and heritage of Palau with traditional music, dance, and food.
• The Palau Marathon is held in May. This event includes a half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and a kids’ race.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in May. This event showcases films from around the world, as well as local films.
• The Palau Dive Festival is held in May. This event includes a variety of activities, such as diving competitions, underwater photography contests, and educational talks.

Palau in June

Weather

June in Palau is a hot and humid month. The average temperature is around 80°F (26.7°C) with the highs reaching as high as 90°F (32.2°C). The humidity levels are high, with the average dewpoint hovering around 75°F (23.9°C). Rainfall is common during this time of year, with an average of 11 days of rain per month.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center hosts its annual Coral Reef Festival in June. The festival includes educational activities, live music, and traditional dance performances.
• The Palau National Day is celebrated on June 15th. This day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau in 1981.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in June. The festival showcases a variety of films from around the world, as well as local films.
• The Palau National Marine Sanctuary celebrates World Oceans Day on June 8th. This day is dedicated to celebrating and protecting the world’s oceans.
• The Palau Marathon is held in June. This is a popular event for runners from all over the world, and includes a half marathon, 10K, and 5K.

Palau in July

Weather

July is the hottest month of the year in Palau, with temperatures ranging from 25-31 degrees Celsius (77-88 degrees Fahrenheit). Humidity levels are high and rainfall is frequent.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center holds a series of educational activities and events during the month of July, including a beach clean-up and a coral planting event.
• The Palauan Independence Day Festival is held in July to celebrate the nation’s independence from the United States. The festival includes parades, cultural performances, and traditional Palauan food.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in July, showcasing films from around the world.
• The Palauan National Marathon is held in July, with runners from all over the world taking part.
• The Palauan National Music Festival is held in July, featuring traditional Palauan music, as well as modern and international music.

Palau in August

Weather

August in Palau is typically hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 73°F to 89°F (23°C to 32°C). Rainfall is common, with an average of 8.4 inches (213 mm) of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center celebrates its annual Reef Week in August. This week-long event includes educational activities, lectures, and field trips for visitors to learn about the importance of coral reefs.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held every August in Palau. This festival showcases the best of Palauan and international films, and includes workshops, panel discussions, and film screenings.
• The Palauan National Day is celebrated in August. This national holiday celebrates the independence of Palau from the United States. Festivities include parades, traditional dances, and fireworks.
• The Palauan Festival of Arts is held every August in Palau. This festival celebrates the traditional culture of Palau with music, dance, and art.
• The Palauan Marathon is held every August in Palau. This marathon is a popular event, with participants from around the world competing in a 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon.

Palau in September

Weather

September in Palau is hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 27-32°C (80-90°F). The rainy season begins in September, with rainfall averaging about 10-15 mm (0.4-0.6 inches) per month.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center hosts the annual Palau International Marine Festival in September. The festival includes a variety of activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and educational talks about the importance of preserving the coral reefs.
• The Palau National Day is celebrated on October 1st, and the festivities begin in September. Events include a parade, traditional dancing, and fireworks.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in September, showcasing films from around the world.
• The Palau Music Festival is held in September, featuring local and international musicians.
• The Palau International Yacht Race is held in September, with teams from around the world competing in a sailing race.

Palau in October

Weather

October in Palau is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 25°C (77°F) to 31°C (87°F). The rainy season usually begins in October, with an average of 12 days of rain.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center hosts the annual Palau International Marine Festival in October. The festival includes activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and educational seminars.
• The Palau International Film Festival is held in October. The festival showcases films from around the world and includes screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
• The Palau Marathon is held in October. The marathon is a 26.2-mile race that takes place on the island of Babeldaob.
• The Palau National Day is celebrated in October. The day is marked with a parade, a traditional dance competition, and a fireworks display.
• The Palau International Boat Race is held in October. The race is a long-distance race that takes place in the waters around Palau.

Palau in November

Weather

November in Palau is typically hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from 71 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 31 degrees Celsius). The rainy season begins in November and lasts until April, with an average of 8 to 10 inches (200 to 250 millimeters) of rain per month.

Events

• Palau International Coral Reef Center’s Annual Open House: This event is held in November and features educational activities, games, and a variety of food and drinks.
• Palau National Marine Festival: This annual event celebrates Palau’s marine resources with a variety of activities, including fishing competitions, boat races, and traditional music and dance performances.
• Palau National Day: This national holiday is celebrated on November 1st and features a parade, cultural performances, and a variety of food.
• Palau Constitution Day: This national holiday is celebrated on November 4th and commemorates the adoption of Palau’s constitution in 1981.
• Palau Independence Day: This national holiday is celebrated on November 18th and commemorates Palau’s independence from the United States in 1994.

Palau in December

Weather

December is the start of the dry season in Palau, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F). Rainfall is minimal, with an average of only 0.5 inches. Humidity is high, so it can feel quite muggy.

Events

• The Palau International Coral Reef Center hosts its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 1st. This event is attended by the President of Palau, and includes a Christmas market with local crafts and food.
• The Palau International Marathon is held on December 8th. This event is open to both local and international runners, and features a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon race.
• The Palau Christmas Festival is held on December 15th. This event includes traditional Palauan singing and dancing, as well as a Christmas market with local crafts and food.
• The Palau Christmas Parade is held on December 21st. This event features floats, marching bands, and costumed characters, and is a great way to celebrate the holiday season.
• The Palau New Year’s Eve Festival is held on December 31st. This event features traditional Palauan singing and dancing, as well as a fireworks show to ring in the new year.