What animals live in Palau?

Palau sits in the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by warm, clear water — which means the sea life there is something to see! Dugongs glide through the shallows, sea turtles paddle near the reefs, and hundreds of kinds of colorful fish dart through the coral. Palau is also home to millions of golden jellyfish in a special lake called Jellyfish Lake, where the jellyfish are harmless and you can swim right among them. On land, Palau has fruit bats called flying foxes that swoop through the trees at dusk — their wingspan can stretch wider than your arms! Saltwater crocodiles live in some of the mangrove areas, so locals know to be careful near certain waterways. God packed a lot of variety into this small island nation, and Palauan fishermen and families have depended on the sea and land around them for generations.

What do kids eat in Palau?

Kids in Palau grow up eating fresh fish almost every day — the ocean is right there, after all! Taro root is a big staple food, kind of starchy and filling, and it's been eaten on these islands for hundreds of years. You might also find coconut in all sorts of dishes, from rice cooked in coconut milk to fresh coconut cracked open as a snack. One traditional Palauan dish is called 'bat soup,' which is exactly what it sounds like — though most younger kids today often reach for rice, fish, and tropical fruits like papaya and breadfruit instead. Breadfruit is wild — it looks like a bumpy green ball, grows on trees, and tastes a bit like fresh bread when it's cooked. Sharing a meal together is a big part of Palauan family life, which is something families all around the world have in common.

How do people say hello in Palau?

In Palau, people speak Palauan, and the most common way to say hello is 'Alii' (say it like ah-LEE). It is a warm, friendly greeting you would hear in villages, markets, and along the docks where fishermen bring in their catch. Palauan people are known for being welcoming to visitors, and a simple 'Alii' can open up a real conversation. Many people in Palau also speak English, since it is one of the country's official languages — so your greeting might even get a cheerful English reply right back!

What sports or games do kids play in Palau?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Palau love being in and near the water, so swimming, fishing, and outrigger canoe paddling are huge favorites. The ocean is right there, warm and clear, so it is almost like a giant playground for Palauan children. On land, kids in Palau enjoy soccer, volleyball, and baseball — sports that spread across many Pacific islands over the years. They also play traditional games that have been passed down through generations, like local versions of tag and team games that families enjoy together. It is one of those places where old traditions and newer sports mix together in everyday life.

What's the weather like in Palau?

Palau sits close to the equator in the western Pacific Ocean, so it stays warm and humid almost every single day of the year. Temperatures usually hover around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can expect rain showers fairly often — sometimes a quick burst, sometimes a longer downpour. Palau has two main seasons: a drier stretch from about November to May, and a wetter season the rest of the year. The islands can also get hit by typhoons — those are powerful tropical storms — especially during the wetter months. Even on a rainy day, though, the ocean around Palau stays a brilliant blue-green, and the jungles stay lush and thick all year round.

Tell me a fun fact about Palau.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along — Palau sits in the western Pacific Ocean and is made up of more than 500 islands, but only a handful of them have people living on them! The islands are famous for something called Jellyfish Lake, where millions of golden jellyfish swim every single day. Rusty wants you to know those jellyfish have lost their sting over thousands of years because they had no predators to fight off — so they drift peacefully in huge golden clouds. Palau's official language is Palauan, but English is spoken there too, which has helped missionaries and Bible teachers share the gospel with the people who live on these small, beautiful islands.

What is school like for kids in Palau?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Palau go to school much like you do — with classrooms, teachers, homework, and lunch breaks. English is actually taught right alongside Palauan, so most students grow up speaking both languages. That is pretty useful on a small island nation that welcomes visitors from all over the world. Rusty wants to add that Palau's schools teach a lot about the ocean and the islands, since that world is right outside the door. After high school, many Palauan students travel to places like Guam, Hawaii, or the U.S. mainland for college, since Palau is small and has limited higher education options. Missionaries and local churches have also started schools and after-school programs over the years, giving kids a place to learn and hear about Jesus at the same time.

Who are the unreached people in Palau?

Palau is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, and most people there have heard of Jesus — which is wonderful! But there is one group that missionaries and prayer organizations keep an eye on: the Chinese immigrant community. Many Chinese people have moved to Palau for work and business, and a large number of them have little to no real connection to the gospel of Jesus. Herman and Rusty think this is worth knowing: just because a country has churches does not mean every single person living there has heard clearly that Jesus died for their sins and rose again. The Chinese community in Palau often keeps close ties to their home culture, which may include Buddhism, folk religion, or no faith at all. Pray that local Palauan Christians and any missionaries nearby would find open doors to share the good news with these neighbors.

How can I pray for the people of Palau?

Great question — prayer is one of the most real things you can do for people far away! Palau has many people who have heard the name of Jesus, but knowing about Him and truly trusting Him as your Savior are different things. You can pray that the people of Palau would come to know Jesus personally and follow Him with their whole hearts. You can also pray for the churches in Palau to grow strong, teach the Bible clearly, and send their own people out to share the gospel with others. And pray for children and families there — that moms, dads, and kids would come to faith in Jesus together, building homes that honor God. Your prayers reach all the way across the Pacific Ocean, because God hears every one of them.

What is a holiday or celebration in Palau?

One of the most important celebrations in Palau is Independence Day, observed on October 1st. That is the day in 1994 when Palau officially became its own nation, free to govern itself. Palauans mark the day with singing, traditional dances, and community gatherings all across the islands. Palau also has deep traditions tied to family events, especially a ceremony called the 'ngasech,' which celebrates a woman's first child. The whole community comes together with gifts, food like taro and fish, and lots of storytelling. These traditions remind us that God made people to live in community — and missionaries who visit Palau look for moments just like these to share the good news of Jesus with families gathered together.

What language do people speak in Palau?

Palau has two official languages: Palauan and English. Most people who grew up in Palau speak Palauan at home, but English is taught in schools and used in government, so many Palauans speak both languages well. Palauan is a fascinating tongue — it belongs to a language family called Austronesian, which is also related to languages spoken across many Pacific islands. There are also smaller communities in Palau that speak Filipino languages like Tagalog, since many workers have come from the Philippines. It is a real gift when missionaries or local believers can share the gospel in someone's heart language, the one they grew up speaking at home.

What's a famous place to visit in Palau?

Herman here, and Rusty is already grabbing his snorkel! The most famous place in Palau is the Rock Islands — a cluster of more than 200 small, mushroom-shaped limestone islands covered in thick green jungle. They sit in a bright turquoise lagoon, and the water between them is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. Rusty's favorite part is Jellyfish Lake, a hidden lake on one of those islands where millions of jellyfish swim right alongside you — and they don't sting! People travel from all over the world just to see these places. Palau is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, and God packed a lot of wonder into a very small piece of His creation.

Palau — Kids Missions Explorer

Saltwater Crocodile

Palau's saltwater crocodiles can grow longer than a car and are respected — and feared — by islanders who share the mangrove waterways with them.

Nautilus

The chambered nautilus, a living fossil with a spiral shell, drifts through Palau's deep waters at night hunting for small crabs, just as it has for hundreds of millions of years.

Dugong

Dugongs — gentle, slow-moving relatives of the manatee — graze on seagrass beds around Palau's coasts and are considered sacred in some local legends.

Taro

Taro root has been the starchy backbone of Palauan meals for thousands of years, boiled or baked and served alongside fish at nearly every family gathering.

Fruit Bat Soup

Fruit bat soup is a traditional Palauan delicacy served at feasts, where a whole bat is simmered in coconut milk and ginger — considered a special-occasion dish by many locals.

Coconut Crab

The coconut crab, the largest land crab on Earth, is prized in Palau for its rich, buttery meat and is often grilled or roasted for celebrations.

Palau

Things you should know about Palau

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

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Life in Palau

Missions in Palau

Pray for Palau