Koror IslandKoror Island at a Glance
About Koror Island
Koror Island is the principal island and urban centre of Palau, forming the core of the state of Koror and hosting the country’s main commercial and administrative facilities.
Koror long served as Palau’s capital and economic hub; the national government moved the official capital to Ngerulmud in 2006 while Koror remained the principal population and commercial centre. The island developed as the primary entry point for visitors to Palau’s marine sites.
Koror lies in the central Palau archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean, immediately west of Babeldaob Island and connected by ferry and air links to other parts of the country.
- Former capital: Serves as Palau’s main commercial and population center and was the national capital until 2006, when the seat of government moved to Ngerulmud in Melekeok State.
- Gateway to Rock Islands: Acts as the primary gateway for boat trips and dive excursions to the nearby Rock Islands and the Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best Time to Visit Koror Island
Koror is best visited in the dry season (December-April) for clearer skies, calmer seas and better conditions for water activities.
Weather & Climate near Koror Island
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3584 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 22° - 29° | 25° | 275 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 23° - 29° | 26° | 220 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 23° - 30° | 27° | 197 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 24° - 31° | 27° | 222 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 24° - 31° | 27° | 279 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 23° - 30° | 27° | 421 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 422 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 365 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 289 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 329 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 268 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 22° - 29° | 26° | 297 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Koror Island
Koror (the main urban island of Palau) is reached by road from Airai/Roman Tmetuchl International Airport on Babeldaob: drive across the Koror-Babeldaob causeway (Route 1) into Koror town. The airport-to-Koror transfer is typically about 15-25 minutes by car (roughly 15-20 km, depending on route and traffic). Once in Koror, the compact town and waterfront are walkable from the main pier and inter-island boat terminals.
Tips for Visiting Koror Island
- Koror is the transport and service hub for Palau's dive and day-trip operators - book diving, snorkeling and island tours from Koror Harbor in advance, especially during high season, to secure morning slots.
- Most international flights land on nearby Babeldaob (Airai) and require a short transfer into Koror; allow time for the short road transfer and confirm pick-up times with your guesthouse or operator.
- Use Koror as your base for early departures to popular sites (Rock Islands, Jellyfish Lake) - operators usually leave at first light to avoid crowds and calmer seas, so reserve morning trips if you prefer quieter visits.