Angaur State Travel Guide

City Small Palauan island state, WWII battle and phosphate history

Divers come for Angaur’s WWII wrecks and clear reefs; limestone cliffs and abandoned phosphate pits map a strange industrial past. Visit for snorkeling, village taro-and-coconut cooking, and low-traffic beaches where fishing boats and pandanus palms set the pace.

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.
Local Time
8:55 PM
GMT+9
Weather
Mostly Clear 85°F
Mostly Clear
Population
188
Infrastructure & Convenience
One shop and a handful of guesthouses; little English signage.
Popularity
Almost no mass tourism; visited mainly by divers and history buffs.
Known For
WWII battle sites, shipwreck diving, snorkeling, remote island scenery, limestone cliffs, coconut plantations, Palauan village life, WWII relics
Angaur was heavily phosphate-mined in the early 1900s and saw a major WWII battle in 1944.

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

All Attractions ›

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.

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
December - April · 25-31°C (77-88°F)
Calm seas and clearer water make snorkeling and diving superb; fewer storms and lower humidity mean pleasant walking and easy day trips.
Wet Season
May - November · 24-31°C (75-88°F)
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
March - June · 27-32°C (81-90°F)
Hottest, most humid months bring intense sun with sudden squalls; excellent for sunbathing and diving but afternoons often too muggy for long hikes.

Best Time to Visit Angaur State #

Climate

Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3175 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit
MarchAprilOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (277 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

277 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.7h daylight

February

February is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (174 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

174 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
11.8h daylight

March

March is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (183 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

183 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (216 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
24° 31°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

216 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

May

May is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (265 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
24° 31°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

265 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

June

June is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (294 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

294 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

July

July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (378 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

378 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

August

August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (321 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

321 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

September

September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (270 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

270 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

October

October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (295 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

295 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
11.9h daylight

November

November is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (243 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 29°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

243 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
11.7h daylight

December

December is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (259 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 29°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

259 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
11.6h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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.

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.

Where to Eat in Angaur State #

Nearby Cities #