Palau

Palau is an archipelago of more than 300 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, at the heart of Micronesia. Its history has been shaped by Spanish, German, Japanese and American administrations before gaining independence in 1994. In 1944, during Operation Stalemate II, the battles fought to recapture the islands left numerous shipwrecks and aircraft resting on the seabed.

Over time, these remnants of the Second World War have become thriving artificial reefs. Colonised by corals, sponges and countless marine organisms, they now provide shelter for an extraordinary diversity of marine life. Palau is also renowned for its spectacular coral reefs, dramatic drop-offs, current-swept channels and the famous Jellyfish Lake, home to millions of harmless jellyfish. Grey reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and immense schools of tropical fish have made the archipelago one of the world’s greatest diving destinations. Committed to protecting this exceptional natural heritage, Palau has also established one of the world’s largest marine sanctuaries, safeguarding most of its territorial waters from industrial fishing.

Through these photographs, I invite you to discover an archipelago where history and nature meet beneath the surface, transforming the remnants of the past into vibrant sanctuaries for marine life.

2015, Palau Selection, Underwater Wildlife

Among the jellyfish of Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Among the jellyfish of Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Among the jellyfish of Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Thousands of jellyfish drift silently through the waters of Jellyfish Lake, one of the most remarkable natural sites in the Palau archipelago. An extraordinary immersion into one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.

Located on a small island in the Palau archipelago, Jellyfish Lake is an ancient marine lake that is now isolated from the ocean. Over thousands of years, the jellyfish living here evolved in an environment almost completely free of predators. As a result, their population grew to extraordinary numbers and they gradually lost most of their ability to sting, which became unnecessary over time.

Swimming among millions of jellyfish is an experience that is both surprising and mesmerizing. Throughout the day, they follow the sun across the lake to expose the symbiotic algae living within their tissues to as much light as possible. Through photosynthesis, these algae produce part of the nutrients on which the jellyfish depend. This slow daily migration transforms the lake into a continuous underwater ballet.

I have written a complete article about this remarkable ecosystem, explaining the origin of the lake, how it functions, and featuring many more underwater photographs. I invite you to discover it here: Snorkeling in Palau’s Jellyfish Lake.

2015, Diving-Paper, Palau Paper, Paper, Underwater Pictures from Palaos

Palau: Snorkeling in the Jellyfish Lake

The Palau archipelago, located in the Western Pacific east of the Philippines, consists of more than 250 islands. Most are uninhabited, covered in primary tropical rainforest and mangroves. While this description already promises adventure, the existence of a lake populated by millions of jellyfish on one of these islands makes the region truly extraordinary.

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