Rock Islands
Palau · Micronesia
The Rock Islands in Palau's southern lagoon include the famous Jellyfish Lake — a saltwater pond cut off from the sea where golden jellyfish have evolved with reduced stings, allowing snorkelers to swim among millions of them. Plus countless dive sites among the limestone islands.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Rock Islands marine lakes and outer reefs both remain in strong condition under Palau's national MPA regime.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Quiet water, and fishing is fully banned here.
Sources · MERMAID and partner coral surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
22 species across the dive sites here
Reef Manta Ray
Seen 29 days ago
at Jellyfish Lake
Vulnerable
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Jellyfish Lake
Critically endangered
Napoleon wrasse
Seen 1 month ago
at Blue Corner
Endangered
Golden jellyfish
Seen 1 month ago
at Jellyfish Lake
Grey reef shark
Seen 1 month ago
at Ulong Channel
Endangered
Whitetip reef shark
Seen 1 month ago
at Ulong Channel
Vulnerable
Green turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Ulong Channel
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Blue Corner
Critically endangered
Micronesian Myzomela
Seen 2 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Least concern
Pacific Golden-Plover
Seen 2 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Least concern
Banded coral shrimp
Seen 2 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Boring Giant Clam
Seen 2 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Least concern
Cardinalfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Mandarinfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Least concern
Soldierfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Chandelier Cave
Bigeye trevally
Seen 4 months ago
at Ulong Channel
Least concern
Chevron barracuda
Seen 6 months ago
at Ulong Channel
Least concern
Bumphead parrotfish
Seen 10 months ago
at Blue Corner
Vulnerable
Camouflage grouper
Seen Apr 2025
at Ulong Channel
Vulnerable
Jellyfish-eating anemone
Seen year round
at Jellyfish Lake
Moon jellyfish
Seen year round
at Jellyfish Lake
Spotted eagle ray
Rare sighting
at Blue Corner
Endangered
Dive sites
Ulong Channel
grey reef shark · whitetip reef shark · camouflage grouper · bigeye trevally
Blue Corner
grey reef shark · whitetip reef shark · napoleon wrasse · bigeye trevally
Jellyfish Lake
golden jellyfish · moon jellyfish · jellyfish-eating anemone · grey reef shark
Chandelier Cave
cardinalfish · soldierfish · banded coral shrimp · mandarinfish
What divers say
Floating in a million pulsing golden jellies in a lake on top of an island — Palau's strangest hour underwater.
Good to know
Permit
Rock Islands permit ($100, 10-day) required.