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Why You Should Take Scenic Flight Over The Rock Islands In Palau. A Unesco World Heritage Site.

One the must-do things to do in Palau the tiny island nation the western part of the South Pacific is to take a 45 min Scenic Flight over the Rock Islands, a group of small more than 250 small limestone islands which covers an area of 47 square kilometres (18 sq mi) and with the highest point being 207 metres (679 ft).

Long Beach seen from the air, maybe the most beautiful beach in all of Palau pure paradise

Long Beach as seen from the air, maybe the most beautiful beach in all of Palau

The Rock Island is home to the one and only JellyFish Lake; the mud bath´s at Milkyway and some of the world´s most pristine dive sights and tons of natural beauty including the “Seventy Islands”.

The Rock Islands was added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 2012.

Seventy Island in the rock island Palau, a nesting site for sea turtles. And off limit for people. protected area

Seventy Island in the rock island Palau, a nesting site for sea turtles. And off limit for people.

The Milky Way, one of the most popular daytrips to do in Palau, natural mud baths a must do

The Milky Way, one of the most popular day trip to do in Palau, natural mud baths.

But it´s from the air and from the passenger seat in small one engine Cessna aeroplane without doors that you will get to see the real beauty of the Rock Islands in Palau.

I got picked up from my hotel at 7.15 AM to do the first Scenic Flight of the day with Pacific Mission Aviation which is also the only airline in Palau offers scheduled domestic flights between the three main islands, Babeldaob (Koror), Peleliu and Angaur.
small flight from the Pacific Mission Aviation in Palau

The Cessna 206 flight from the Pacific Mission Aviation that you will use for the Scenic Flight.

Scenic flight Palau

The Cessna 206 aeroplane used for the Scenic Flight, notice the open door, that´s where you will sit and enjoy the view from

 

I can highly recommend the Pacific Mission Aviation, everything was excellent with them, from the hotel pickup, the pre-flight information, the Pilot (sorry I can´t remember your name) and the flight itself, the drop of back at my hotel after the flight.small islands in Palau

After a 5min safety briefing, especially on not to hold your camera or phone outside the door opening during the flight,  the wind is strong up here, and you are likely to lose it if you don’t follow the rule.

The flight will take off towards the east, from where you will fly in a circle over the whole Rock Island area and return from the west after 45min, and you have seen all the natural sites from the air that Palau offers, it´s breathtaking.

Jelly Fish Lake in Palau from the air

The famous Jellyfish Lake from the air

JellyFish Lake from above in Palau

Jellyfish lake from above, notice all the jellyfishes on the eastern side of the lake. The white floating thing is a small wooden platform which measures the water

Don´t be afraid to miss any of the sights; the Pilot will point out all the highlights and tell you about each site over the local intercom.
You will be wearing a high-quality headphone with a microphone where you will have two-way communication with the Pilot.Palau from the air, pure paradise

Have a look at the YouTube Video Underneath; it shows the entire flight from Taking Of To Landing.

Why You Should Take The Scenic Flight!

Simple, to get to see the full beauty of Palau from the air. I made two different day trips around the Rock Islands when visiting the Milky Way and the JellyFish lake. Palau from Above

I also made two other trips with the local ferry to and from the small island of Peleliu, while the view from the boats is different and of course beautiful, so is the view from the air absolutely spectacular, it´s hard to describe the beauty you will see, it´s a must-do while in Palau. You won’t ´regret it.

Which Companies Offer The Scenic Flight.

More beauty from the rock islands from the air. Palau

More beauty from the rock islands from the air

Pacific Mission Aviation. The company I used, I can highly recommend them.
Smile Airline Tours.
Palau Helicopters. Does Helicopter tours over the Rock Island.

What´s The Price For The Scenic Flight?

Japanese friendship bridge in Palau

Japanese friendship bridge.

180USD/person min. of 2 Passengers for 40 minutes with Pacific Mission Aviation. Payment is accepted with either cash or credit card, but with a card is there a 3,5% extra fee. American Express is not accepted.

Is it safe?

Yes! There´s never been an accident. You will start with a safety briefing, and you will have to wear a lifejacket during the entire flight, this is IF there would be an emergency and you would have to land on the water.
You will also have a safety bar across the open door, and you will have to wear the seatbelt, so don´t be afraid of falling out the open door.

View from my scenic flight, The German channel, one of the best dive sites in the world and home to manta rays

The German channel, one of the best dive sites in the world.

Is there a Weight Limit for scenic flight?

No, there´s no weight limit.

Can you bring a selfie stick

No, selfie sticks are not allowed, do to the strong wind with the open door. You will understand why it´s not allowed when you are on board and in the air.

How high does the flight fly?

The flight fly at around 300m/1000ft altitude, so there no need for decompression if you are planning to go scuba diving later the day or the day before.

The big drop of, a world class dive site in Palau

The big drop of, a world-class dive site

What To Wear?

Nothing special, just wear whatever you are comfy in. I was in shorts and a T-shirt. But it gets windy if you sit with the open door, so a thin sweater is recommended. Also, you should bring your sunglasses. And a hairband if you have long hair.
Remember to have a lot of free space on your memory card, and fully charged battery. I managed to use one battery in my Dji Osmo Action it was on 5% when landed.

Can you change your booking if bad weather?

Yes, without any extra charge. I did that. I easily rebooked my flight over the phone due to bad weather. No Question asked.

Koror from the air in Palau

Koror, the largest city in Palau from the air

Would I do the Scenic Flight Again?

Yes, If I was ever to revisit Palau in the future, would I without a doubt retake the scenic flight.

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Travel guide to Palau is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and what´s the best way to get to see it all? Take a scenic flight over the rock islands, a Unesco World Heritige site.

Palau is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and what´s the best way to get to see it all? Take a scenic flight over the rock islands, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Taking a scenic flight is the best way to see the beauty of Palau

Palau is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and what´s the best way to get to see it all? Take a scenic flight over the rock islands, a Unesco World Heritige site.