Koror: the lagoon with the stingless jellyfish

In the heart of the Western Pacific, Koror opens the door to a lake where thousands of jellyfish have lost over time the ability to sting, in the absence of natural predators.

Boats and guided excursions remain the primary way to explore the lagoon.

The Jellyfish Lake, a marine lake isolated from the ocean, is home to millions of golden jellyfish that swim on the surface following the sun, practically harmless to swimmers.

In the surrounding waters, the Rock Islands, a UNESCO heritage site, form an archipelago of mushroom-shaped limestone islets, covered with thick tropical vegetation.

Continuing with snorkeling in Palau's coral reef, one observes reef sharks, sea turtles, and marine biodiversity among the richest in the Pacific.

Toward evening, the Belau Museum in Koror tells the story and traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Palau archipelago.

The jellyfish of Jellyfish Lake lost over time the need to sting effectively, having been isolated for millennia in a lake devoid of natural predators that would have otherwise made more aggressive defense necessary.

Palau was among the first countries in the world to declare its entire marine territory a protected marine sanctuary for sharks, an environmental commitment that has made the archipelago an international model of conservation.