Spanning more than 300 islands, the Micronesian nation of Palau is a sight to behold from above. But many of its greatest treasures lie beneath the surface of waters so clear that you can see a boat shadow on the seabed, even from a distance. In a small pocket of the western Pacific Ocean, this archipelago’s turquoise lagoons, hidden sea caves and abundant reefs create an aquatic playground unlike anywhere else on Earth. One day you’re snorkelling among black-tip reef sharks in the world’s first shark sanctuary, the next you’re gliding among wartime relics as they’re slowly conquered by coral. Whether by paddle, sail, snorkel or scuba tank, take a deep-dive into Palau – and get ready to find this tropical haven’s depths.

Image credit: Fish n’ Fins

Scuba one of the best dive sites in the world

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Jutting out into the open ocean, Blue Corner is a unique reef plateau that reaches depths of 30 metres. Plentiful plankton draw an incredible diversity of marine life including curious grey reef sharks, swirls of barracuda and huge blue-green Napoleon wrasse to the area. Dramatic drop-offs and overhangs make it an advanced diver’s dream – using a reef hook means you can hover in place above it all and is one of the most spectacular ways to enjoy the show. Fish ’n Fins takes divers from Koror by speedboat (50-70 minutes) and supplies all the gear you need during your adventure.

Image credit: Stuart Westmorland / Getty Images

Visit a natural day spa

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The Milky Way is a natural lagoon in the Rock Islands famous for its vibrant turquoise hues and mineral-rich white mud. Wallow in the waters and don’t forget to paint your face with the mud for a skin-softening treatment worthy of a day-spa. Neco Marine includes a visit to the Milky Way in many of their snorkelling or kayaking tours to Rock Island, complete with a bento-box lunch and water.

Make an appointment at the manta ray salon

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The German Channel was carved by miners during the occupation of Palau in World War II and now it’s an underwater pampering station for majestic manta rays. They imperiously glide in to be groomed of parasites by wrasse and butterflyfish. To join in the fun, scuba-diving trips run from Koror with Sam’s Tours and Fish ’n Fins, and snorkellers can also explore the colours and sights of shallower sites. Don’t forget your underwater camera: mantas sometimes swoop close enough for a selfie.

Qantas now flies direct to Palau, which means you can arrive at your tropical holiday even sooner. Book flights now at qantas.com.

Image credit: Todd Thimios

Learn from clever coral

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In Nikko Bay just off Koror, massive dome-shaped Einstein corals – sometimes called brain corals for their intricate, maze-like patterns – have adapted to the area’s low-light, high-acidic conditions. Marine biologists who study them gain valuable insights into coral survival in future ocean conditions, making them as scientifically significant as they are visually striking. With Paddling Palau, pick the brains of experience guides in Nikko Bay on a full-day snorkelling tour, or trade fins for a paddle and glide by kayak through the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, where every turn unveils towering limestone cliffs, hidden marine caves, and moss-covered WWII relics being reclaimed by the jungle.

Navigate a maze-like cave system

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Chandelier Cave is a surreal limestone labyrinth below the surface on one of the Rock Islands, south-west of the main island. Divers drop four metres to enter five chambers, four with air pockets and one that’s fully dry. Here, the stalactites and stalagmites have formed crystalline chandelier-like shapes that glitter in the torchlight while fish flash past in eerie silence. Fish ’n Fins offers guided dive tours of the caverns, with above-ground excursions to the Rock Islands’ various lagoons included.

Image credit: Maddison Toddman

Skim the surface

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Palauans have been exploring the Pacific Ocean aboard handcrafted vessels for thousands of years. On Paddling Palau’s Traditional Sailing Canoe tour, visitors board a canoe under the guidance of a master navigator. Set sail from Malakal Harbour and catch the trade winds past limestone islets and coral-fringed coves. Half-day tours include paddling instruction, stories of the stars and a taste of traditional Palauan seamanship. If spending hours or even days gliding over turquoise waters among limestone bays, mangrove forests, and hidden coves sounds like heaven, try Paddling Palau’s kayak tours or camping safaris. Paddle past WWII relics, watch fruit bats doze overhead and spot mudskippers along sandy white banks, abandoning ship when it’s time for a dip.

From navigating glittering underwater caves to encountering sunken WWII relics, every day in Palau is an adventure. Book your flights now at qantas.com.

Sleep over the fishes

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Board the Four Seasons Explorer, Palau’s ultimate floating hotel, for a luxe live-aboard experience. The 10-stateroom, 39-metre catamaran drifts along the World Heritage-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, stopping for snorkelling and diving sessions and island visits. Expect wellness experiences at the onboard spa, sundowners on the deck and seafood fresh from the reef. Multi-day itineraries begin in Koror, with crew-led excursions that take you to under-the-radar places even locals rarely visit.

Swim in a shark sanctuary

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Palau was the first nation to declare its waters a shark sanctuary, prohibiting all commercial shark fishing. That means sightings of grey reef sharks, hammerheads and eagle rays are common, especially at Shark City, a canyon dive spot that’s brimming with fish and their curious – but rarely aggressive – predators. Many operators such as Fish ’n Fins depart daily from Koror.

Image credit: Todd Thimios

Explore WWII wrecks

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More than 60 Japanese ships sank around Palau during World War II and the remains of many planes and shipwrecks from that era can still be found on and around the islands. Japan’s Iro Maru came under fire from the US and sank in 1944. The supply ship now sits upright 40 metres below the surface and has become a favourite haunt of lionfish and clownfish. Sam’s Tours hosts a full-day trip to Peleliu Island, including dives at sites like the Japanese seaplane nicknamed "Jake" by Allied Forces and the coral-encrusted Helmet Wreck. The tour also includes a land excursion to explore WWII relics, including abandoned equipment and battle scars left by both Japanese and American forces. Peleliu Adventures offers multi-day wreck-diving excursions and island tours.

Ready for the ultimate underwater thrill? Discover Palau, where sharks still rule the reef. Plan your trip now at qantas.com.

Shower under a waterfall

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Ngatpang Waterfall in Koror is a jungle waterfall that cascades over rocks into a peaceful pool enveloped in greenery. Bring a picnic and munch between swims in the crystal clear water. Enlist a local driver in Koror to take you here then make a half-day excursion by adding visits to Ngardmau Waterfall, Palau’s tallest waterfall, and the mysterious, ancient Badrulchau monoliths further south.

Image credit: Josh Burkinshaw

Go tank-free and snorkel or free dive

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You don’t necessarily need scuba gear to see Palau’s flourishing marine ecosystems – just a mask and snorkel guarantees entry. And many of Palau’s dive operators accommodate free divers, too. At Clam City, century-old giant clams that can weigh more than 100 kilograms glow iridescent blue and purple at depths of one-to-10 metres. Just off Koror, Soft Coral Arch is a narrow channel beneath a natural rock arch, lined with delicate, rainbow-hued corals swaying just below the surface. Beginning at less than a metre deep, Ngedbus Coral Gardens gently slope down to 23 metres below, making it a great spot for snorkellers and free divers to spot black-tip reef sharks, bumphead parrotfish and rare scorpion fish from any depth. Fish ’n Fins offers half- and full-day snorkel trips departing from Koror, with lunch included.

Dive into a world where coral reefs bloom and history sleeps beneath the waves. Book flights to Palau aboard the “Paradise Express” now at qantas.com