Angaur StateAngaur State at a Glance
Costs: $120-200/day (remote island) - limited lodging and flights drive up costs; basic guesthouses expensive.
Safety: Generally safe, remote-risks - very low crime but emergency services are sparse and slow.
Best Time: Dec-Apr (dry season) - dry season brings calmer seas and best diving conditions.
Why Visit Angaur State?
Tiny Angaur State appeals to travelers who want raw island history paired with excellent reef diving. World War II relics and mining-era terraces give the island a unique historical texture, while coral gardens and underwater caverns invite snorkelers and divers. Village bai, traditional Palauan dances and quiet salt-rimmed beaches offer intimate cultural moments, and the short boat ride from Koror makes the visit feel like a deliberate escape.
Best Things to Do in Angaur State
Islands
Rock Islands
Group of limestone islands noted for marine biodiversity
Lake
Jellyfish Lake
Marine lake inhabited by non-stinging jellyfish
Island
Eil Malk
Palauan island hosting the famous Jellyfish Lake
Island
Peleliu Island
Palau island noted for WWII battlefields and diving
Historical Site
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Coral islands with biodiverse lagoons and traditional villages
Angaur State Bucket List
Don't Miss
Angaur War Memorial - Monument and cemetery commemorating soldiers from the World War II Angaur campaign.
Japanese-era quarry ruins - Walk among abandoned quarries and mining ruins from the island’s phosphate era.
Angaur village center - Meet locals, see traditional homes, and sample island-produced coconut dishes.
Hidden Gems
Old runway area - Explore remnants of the wartime airstrip and surrounding grasslands on foot.
Coastal tidepool snorkeling - Discover small tidepools teeming with marine life along quiet Angaur shorelines.
Community handicraft stalls - Small-scale stalls offering woven goods and carved souvenirs from island artisans.
Day Trips
Koror snorkeling trips - Full-day boat trips to famous Rock Islands and unrivaled reef snorkeling sites.
Angaur to Peleliu day visit - Short boat transfer to Peleliu for extended WWII battlefield tours and memorials.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Angaur State
Visit Angaur in the drier December-April stretch for calm seas, clearer water and easy snorkeling. The wet months (May-November) bring heavier rain, higher humidity and rougher seas.
Dry Season
Calm seas and clearer water make snorkeling and diving superb; fewer storms and lower humidity mean pleasant walking and easy day trips.
Wet Season
Frequent heavy showers, choppy seas and higher humidity; boat trips can be disrupted but reef life is abundant and terrestrial scenery becomes very lush.
Hot Season
Hottest, most humid months bring intense sun with sudden squalls; excellent for sunbathing and diving but afternoons often too muggy for long hikes.
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3175 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 277 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.7h |
| February | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 174 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.8h |
| March | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 183 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 24° - 31° | 30° | 216 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.0 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Good | 24° - 31° | 30° | 265 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.3h |
| June | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 294 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.4h |
| July | Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 378 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.3h |
| August | Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 321 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.2h |
| September | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 270 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Very Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 295 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.9h |
| November | Good | 22° - 29° | 26° | 243 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| December | Good | 22° - 29° | 25° | 259 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.4 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
How to Get to Angaur State
Angaur is a small, sparsely populated outer state of Palau reached from Koror (Airai). Most international visitors arrive at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) in Airai/Koror; travel onward to Angaur is by local boat charter or special arrangement rather than scheduled flights.
Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR): ROR (Airai) is Palau’s main international gateway, serving flights from Guam, Taiwan and other regional hubs. From the airport to Koror town taxis and hotel shuttles take about 10-20 minutes; expect roughly US$10-20 for a taxi or hotel shuttle rates set by your accommodation.
No scheduled commercial flights to Angaur: Angaur is a small outer island and does not have regular commercial airline service from Koror. Access is by private boat charter from Koror or by arrangement with local operators; travel time by small boat is commonly under 2 hours depending on sea conditions and prices are variable-book through a Koror operator or your lodge in advance.
Train: There are no train services in Palau.
Bus & Boat: There is no public bus network to outer islands. Local boat charters and occasional inter-island cargo/boat services from Koror are the primary way to reach Angaur; these are arranged locally. Within Koror, taxis and short shuttle routes run between the airport, downtown and hotels-confirm schedules and fares locally.
How to Get Around Angaur State
There are no scheduled commercial flights directly to Angaur; most visitors fly into Airai/Koror (ROR) and continue by local boat charters. For moving around, short taxi rides and walking are the practical options-inter-island movement requires advance arrangements with boat operators.
- Taxi / Hotel shuttle (US$10-20) - Taxis and hotel shuttles run between Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) and Koror. Trips take around 10-20 minutes depending on traffic; taxis are the easiest way with fixed short-route rates or hotel-arranged transfers. Have small US dollars in cash; hotel shuttles may be included in your booking.
- Domestic boat charter (Varies (book locally)) - The only reliable way to get to Angaur is by chartering a private boat from Koror. Operators vary and trips depend on weather; travel times are typically under 2 hours. Negotiate and confirm safety equipment, departure point and return times in advance-book through a reputable Koror operator or your accommodation.
- Inter-island cargo/passenger boat (occasional) (Varies) - Occasional island cargo or passenger boats sometimes call at outer islands on a non-fixed schedule. These are irregular and should only be used if you have local confirmation. Expect slower transit and basic facilities.
- Taxi within Koror (US$5-15) - Taxis are the main local on-island transport in Koror and useful for transfers to boat departure points. Short journeys are inexpensive but cash-only; drivers may expect tips.
- Walking - Angaur and Koror are small and walkable in parts; bring sun protection and good footwear for uneven surfaces. Walking is the best way to explore local villages and historic sites on Angaur.
Where to Stay in Angaur State
Budget
Angaur island settlements - $0-40/night
Angaur is sparsely populated with no formal budget hostels. Visitors typically overnight in Koror and take a boat or charter flight for day visits.
Mid-Range
Koror (nearest) - $80-180/night
There are no mid-range hotels on Angaur. Book a hotel in Koror for reliable amenities and organize transport to Angaur with local operators.
Luxury
Koror / private charter - $200+/night
Angaur lacks luxury accommodation. High-end travellers should base themselves in Koror and arrange private charters for exclusive island access.