Visit the Pacific's "best kept secret": Palau
2010-05-18
With summer fast approaching, travelers across the country are desperately searching for the ultimate seaside destination for their seasonal vacation. Fortunately for these travelers, Stuff.com.nz has found the "best kept secret" of the South Pacific, Palau.
Palau is a diminutive nation of around 250 limestone islands located around 500 miles east of the Philipines. It is one of the youngest sovereign nations in the world, having only achieved independence from the United Nations Trusteeship in 1994, and it boasts a small population of around 21,000 people.
While many of the islands are covered in lush green forests and stoic mountains, the key appeal of Palau is its crystal clear waters and the activities that spring from them.
The island is a haven for snorkelers and scuba divers thanks to its more than 1,300 varieties of fish, a lake consisting of millions of harmless jellyfish and a shark sanctuary that allows divers the chance to get up close and personal with sea life.
Divers can also explore the wreckage of Japanese and American ships left over from WWII.
Additionally, the southern island of Anguar has gained acclaim as a hotspot for international surfers due to its considerable wave size, frequency and strong breaks.