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Palau
Risk:
Low
Health Overview
Palau is Level 1 and Featured — a COFA partner nation using US dollars. World-class diving (Blue Corner; Jellyfish Lake; WWII wrecks). Belau National Hospital is better resourced than most Pacific neighbors and operates a hyperbaric chamber for decompression sickness, with advanced MRI and CT installed through Japanese aid. No malaria. Dengue present but low burden. MMR confirmation needed (Measles THN). Peleliu WWII battlefield is the most intact in the Pacific.
Key Health Risks
Low-Moderate
Dengue Fever
Aedes present; periodic outbreaks. Not currently on March 2026 Global Dengue THN named list. DEET 30%+ during outdoor and marine activities.
Moderate
Marine Hazards and Dive Safety
Palau is a world-class dive destination — roughly 70-80% of visitors come to dive — and decompression sickness from repeated deep dives is the signature clinical risk. Belau National Hospital in Koror operates a hyperbaric chamber: it is listed as a standing service of the Ministry of Health's Bureau of Hospital & Clinical Services, and the UK FCDO health guidance (December 2025) confirms the hospital has a chamber for treating diving accidents. Note that on a small island a chamber is a call-in service rather than a guaranteed 24/7 standby, so confirm current staffing and availability through your dive operator before deep or repetitive diving. Dive-specific insurance covering chamber treatment AND evacuation is essential — treatment costs run into five figures. Serious DCS may still require evacuation to Guam (US Naval Hospital, ~1 hour) or Manila (~1.5 hours). Do not fly within 24 hours of the final dive.
Low-Moderate
Measles
Palau on Global Measles THN. Vaccination rates generally good. Full 2-dose MMR confirmed.
Health Risk Callout
Dive medical assessment is specific to Palau given concentration of dive travelers. Zika requires discussion for pregnant travelers. No malaria makes consultation unusually clean and focused.
Other Health Risks
Ciguatera (avoid barracuda/large reef fish); Leptospirosis (freshwater/soil; kayaking/jungle); Zika (pregnancy consideration)
Regional Information
Regional Risk Callout
Koror (all services; Belau National Hospital; dive operators; airport nearby). Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (UNESCO; Blue Corner; Jellyfish Lake). Peleliu (WWII battlefield; basic accommodation; limited medical). Babeldaob (largest island; jungle; Ngerulmud capital).
Regional Healthcare Callout
Outside Koror: very limited. Peleliu: no hospital. DCS requiring recompression: may need Guam or Manila.
Vaccine and Malaria Prevention
💉 Entry Vaccine Required
None required from US. No YF. Palau Entry Form required within 72 hours of departure. $100 environmental fee in airfare.
🛡️ Recommended Vaccines
CDC recommends Routine (MMR — Measles THN; Palau named); Hep A (recommended); Hep B; Typhoid (considered for local dining)
🦟 Malaria Information
No malaria risk.
Moderate
Moderate
Physician Note
Dr. Robert
Emergency Medicine · 25+ Years · 40+ Countries
Palau is a joyful consultation. 'No malaria — full stop.' Dengue is present, so DEET during outdoor and marine activity, and confirm MMR because Palau is named on the measles THN.
The dive conversation is the substantive one, since most visitors come to dive. Pre-dive fitness assessment; a hyperbaric chamber does operate at Belau National Hospital in Koror, but on a small island that is a call-in service rather than guaranteed round-the-clock standby — worth confirming through the dive operator before a deep or repetitive profile. Dive-specific insurance covering chamber treatment and evacuation is the practical safeguard, and severe cases still route to Guam or Manila. No flying within 24 hours of the last dive.
Jellyfish Lake: the golden jellyfish lost their sting through evolution in an isolated marine lake — swimming through millions of them is one of the more surreal experiences on Earth.
Pre-Departure Checklist
8+ Weeks
- Be sure to consult your Dr. prior to travel to discuss
- CDC recommends MMR (Measles THN)
- Hep A
- Dive medical clearance if scuba is planned
- Arrange dive insurance covering chamber treatment and evacuation.
2-4 Weeks
- DEET
- Hep B if unvaccinated
- Palau Entry requirements confirmed
- Confirm current hyperbaric chamber staffing with your dive operator
- DAN emergency number pre-programmed (+1-919-684-9111).
Day Of
- Emergency 911
- Belau National Hospital ER +680-488-2558
- Fire & Rescue +680-488-1411
- DEET on arrival
- Do not fly within 24 hours of your final dive.
Trip Type Guidance
Adventure
- World-class diving — Blue Corner (top global drift dive)
- Jellyfish Lake (swimming with millions of stingless jellyfish)
- WWII wrecks
- German Channel mantas.
- Peleliu WWII battlefield (most intact in Pacific).
Family
- USD
- English
- Safe
- Jellyfish Lake accessible all ages.
Beach
- Rock Islands white sand
- Often entirely private.
Notes
Special Evacuation Notes
Medevac from ROR airport to Guam USMH (1 hour; best for DCS) or Manila (1.5 hours; excellent private hospitals). United Airlines connections. DAN Hotline: +1-919-684-9111 (24/7 dive emergency coordination).
Safety Notes
PALAU ENTRY FORM: required within 72 hours (QR code). $100 environmental fee included in airfare. MMR: confirm (Measles THN). DENGUE: DEET 30%+ during daytime outdoor and marine activity. DIVE MEDICAL: pre-dive fitness assessment recommended. HYPERBARIC CHAMBER: operates at Belau National Hospital in Koror — confirm current staffing through your dive operator, as island chambers are call-in rather than 24/7 standby; severe DCS may still require evacuation to Guam or Manila. Do not fly within 24 hours of the final dive. ZIKA: relevant for pregnant travelers. JELLYFISH LAKE: golden jellyfish cannot sting — safe and extraordinary. USD: no currency exchange needed.
partner recommendation
Medical Evacuation & Assistance
A medical crisis far from home can cost $50,000+ to evacuate. Global Rescue — the partner we personally trust — provides worldwide evacuation and round-the-clock medical assistance.
Good For
Adventure
Family
Beach