Jellyfish Lake
Jellyfish Lake
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Jellyfish Lake and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
2 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
1,267 reviews
Excellent
937
Very good
200
Average
65
Poor
18
Terrible
47
AMW9219
Brooklyn, NY371 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Anyone traveling in Palau must visit jellyfish lake. There are approximately 700,000 jellyfish in this lake and none of them sting! You can only snorkel here because deep in the lake there is poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas that would not be safe if diving. You need to access this area by boat but if you’re diving many dive companies will take you here on one of your dive days. You also need a permit to access the lake but that can easily be arranged ahead of time. You cannot wear sunscreen here because it will harm the jellyfish so plan ahead and bring a rash guard or something similar. Definitely go see these jellies!
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rogzog
UK596 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
I don't know why this is still open - except that they are raking in literally thousands of dollars every day in permit fees for nothing. They don't even maintain the steps and path. We went there and saw literally 4 small isolated golden jellyfish, though we swam right across the lake and were there nearly 45 minutes. Those who stayed near the entry platform won't even have seen one. We felt ripped off, and very annoyed about the 60 - 70 other tourists there at the same time being charged for nothing.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diver210
Gilbert, AZ17 contributions
June 2019
Jelly Fish Lake is a snorkeling adventure into a fresh water lake where there are a bunch of non-stinging jelly fish swimming around. It makes for some great photos, and is very unique for sure, but I have not found it so exciting that I have returned to repeat it on subsequent trips. You should definitely do it once if you haven't done it before. I found Peleliu island tour and diving in Chandelier Cave to be far more interesting for my tastes.
Written 13 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dewi S.
2 contributions
Aug 2022
The jellyfish lake is about 10-15 minutes walk from the boat ramp, up and down a steep hill with steps and rope to hold on. I did it using my crocs closed toe sandal with backstrap. it was a lot of fun swimming with sun and moon jellyfish. You need to hike with your snorkeling gear and any camera equipment so a mesh bag is a good idea. Our group spent 1.5 hours on the lake. We must use eco friendly sunblock that is not harmful for the jellyfish.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jasmine c
Hong Kong, China197 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
I embarked on an otherworldly adventure at Palau's renowned "Jellyfish Lake," and oh, what a marvel of nature it was! over thousands of golden, stingless jellyfish surrounded me, and the experience felt surreal and magical, like stepping into a dream. As I snorkeled in the lake, these ethereal creatures gracefully glided around me, filling me with wonder and tranquility. Need to hike a bit before arrive the lake which tested my fitness, but the reward was beyond compare—the chance to connect profoundly with nature. However, I must mention that the water quality was a bit unclear on that day. Nevertheless, I cherished the moment with swimming with jellyfishes. It's an enchanting journey, and the memory lingers long after leaving—a must-do for any Palau traveler seeking to be truly enchanted beneath the waves.
Remember, do not put sunscreen before go there, which to essential to preserve the delicate ecosystem and all jellyfishes.
Remember, do not put sunscreen before go there, which to essential to preserve the delicate ecosystem and all jellyfishes.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gasd0c
Cedar Falls, IA10 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Jellyfish lake has been on my bucket list since I first read about it over 20 years ago. I was so disappointed when I got there. It is nothing like the pictures on the Internet showing people surrounded by beautiful golden jellyfish. I only saw 2 while snorkeling the lake and a few more white moon jellyfish. Maybe it's climate change, sunscreen, or too many tourists. Sad.
Written 1 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dream773126
4 contributions
July 2018 • Friends
Brilliant now back open please do not wear oils sun lotion pee and wash in the sea before you go to the lake
Written 31 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
T0000Ts
Pennsylvania91 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
I have wanted to see Jellyfish Lake for years. Unfortunately the lake has been closed to visitors because several years of dry weather have killed off the jellyfish. Our flights and hotels were booked and non-refundable so we traveled all that way even thought we knew the lake would be closed. I was thrilled to discover that the government very recently reopened the lake to visitors. I paid $100 for my permit and hiked up and over the trail to get to the lake. After an hour of exploring the lake and not seeing a single jellyfish I finally gave up.
The people at the entrance to the lake indicated that they had no idea why the government reopened the lake since the jellyfish have not replenished themselves. This was a huge ripoff on the part of the government and I wish there was some way to recoup the money that I paid in good faith based on their decision to reopen the lake. Don’t waste your time or money on this.
The people at the entrance to the lake indicated that they had no idea why the government reopened the lake since the jellyfish have not replenished themselves. This was a huge ripoff on the part of the government and I wish there was some way to recoup the money that I paid in good faith based on their decision to reopen the lake. Don’t waste your time or money on this.
Written 5 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CSMOHR
Dublin, OH24 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
Jellyfish lake is closed now due to the Jelly Fish all dying off. Likely due to over snorkeling and suntan lotion killing the marine life. Let is recharge but there are a ton of great things to do in Palua if you are a water sport person.
Written 13 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen H
Washington DC, DC14 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
The access was closed for a time due to the decline of jellyfish from the change in water temperatures. The jellyfish are being to rebound, and I was able to purchase the Jellyfish Lake permit from the government earlier this week.
Written 17 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've read about the slippery steps up to Jellyfish lake but no one has mentioned about how many there are. How difficult is the climb up and down? Thank you.
Written 14 July 2023
Nami I
Yokohama, Japan
こんにちは。
2018年2月末にパラオに行く予定です。
ジュエリーフィッシュツアーが現在ほとんど行われていないとお聞きしました。下田さんのツアーが唯一？行われてそうなのですが、現地ではなく行く前に申し込みたい場合の申し込み方法(インターネットサイトのURL)ご存知でしたら教えてください。
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Written 29 January 2018
ログインできず返信が遅くなり申し訳ありません。
私は当時H.I.Sのオプショナルツアーに参加しました。ただ調べてみたところ、現在はH.I.Sでもツアーを見合わせているようですね。エルニーニョ現象でクラゲの数が減ったためとか…。残念です。
現地で申し込めるツアーもいくつかあるので、パラオに行かれた際に再開されているといいですね。楽しい旅を！
Written 2 February 2018
louannevandiver
Granbury, Texas
As a non-diver I can’t help but ask, how do you keep from being stung?
Written 21 December 2017
Hello. The jellies in the lake are stingless. Overtime they have become harmless and all the jellies are safe to touch.
Written 21 December 2017
Do you think it is worth making a trip to Palau with jellyfish lake being closed? I'm a diver, but the #1 thing I was looking forward to was the jellyfish. Should I still go?
Written 7 October 2017
Don't hesitate. Palau is amazing. Jellyfish Lake is only a minuscule event in Palau. Very advertised as unusual.
Palau has ancient coral of many varieties and colors and an abundance of thousands of tropical fish that amaze. The islands are pristine and beyond imagination. I will cherish my experience there forever. I have been to 84 countries and Palau is in the top 5. So beautiful and unspoiled.
Written 9 October 2017
Does anyone know if jellyfish lake will be open in the end of December 2017? I am planning a vacation but if the lake will be closed I may choose another destination...this is a very important part of Palau and I'm saddened to read about the decline in the the jellyfish population. Thanks. Julie
Written 12 September 2017
I agree with the above answer, we were there in March and they thought it would be at least another year.
Written 12 September 2017
Kai H. hat Millionen von Jellyfish gesehen am 13 Januar und Kurt L. hat am 12 Januar keine gesehen...... also einer war mit Sicherheit nicht da. Was stimmt den nun???????????
Written 31 January 2017
Has anyone been to Jellyfish Lake recently? Is it true that there are hardly any jellyfishes left? Which tour operator still takes people to the Jellyfish Lake?
Written 28 October 2016
Hi there,
I plan to visit Palau in Sep. I know the permit is $100, but can I go there myself by car and hike up there? Does Jellyfish permit including the use of Southern Lagoon (Rock Island)? O do I need to pay another permit for Southern Lagoon? Any spots I can go snorkeling myself?
Thanks
Written 19 July 2016
Do not waste your money on this trip. There are few jellies to be seen. You must take a boat to get to the lake. There are many places to snorkel. Sam's Tours is a great place and can take you anywhere.
Written 7 August 2016
Is it possible to visit this place with small children (1 and 4 years old) who are not yet able to swim? Can we even safely reach the lake with them, if we book a tour?
Written 12 July 2016
Don't waste your time or money. There are few jellies, mostly small thumb sized. The kids would be disappointed. We were just there in June 2016.
Written 7 August 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 18
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing