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Palau🇵🇼 | villagesAngaurWild macaques, mine ruins, WWII bunkers, far-south lighthouse | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Angaur
👍 Recommendedvillage ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

A macaque watches from a roadside branch while your bicycle ticks along a flat, empty lane, and the only other sound is surf on the reef. Angaur sits in the far south of Palau, well below Koror, and it is the quietest of the inhabited states. Roughly a hundred people live here, so the island has no nightlife and almost no restaurants. That is why you buy food in Koror before you leave and ask your guesthouse host about meals, rather than expecting a menu. The island is small and mostly flat, which is why experienced visitors rent a bicycle or ask for a pickup truck ride instead of looking for taxis. Go in the cool early morning, since the afternoon sun on the old mining roads is fierce. Evenings are early, dark and still, so bring a headlamp. Other travelers are rare, which means conversation happens with locals. Angaur suits history readers, birders and people who like silence. It will frustrate anyone who needs company, nightlife or a packed schedule.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 village in PalauWhat makes this village worth visiting

Backpackers come to Angaur for the sense that they have the whole island to themselves. The first draw is the Battle of Angaur landscape, where Japanese bunkers, rusted mining machinery and overgrown concrete still sit in the forest between the village and the coast. You can walk to them without a tour bus in sight. The second is the long-tailed macaques, which roam the island in groups and give a walk through the interior an unscripted feel. Surfers also know the exposed reef edge here, a rare break in a country better known for diving. Angaur is not a pause between busy stops. It is a deliberate detour, and most visitors stay one or two nights, though people who enjoy slow days with a camera, a bicycle and a book can stretch that. Solo travelers who like calm, history-minded couples and … read more 👉
Backpackers come to Angaur for the sense that they have the whole island to themselves. The first draw is the Battle of Angaur landscape, where Japanese bunkers, rusted mining machinery and overgrown concrete still sit in the forest between the village and the coast. You can walk to them without a tour bus in sight. The second is the long-tailed macaques, which roam the island in groups and give a walk through the interior an unscripted feel. Surfers also know the exposed reef edge here, a rare break in a country better known for diving. Angaur is not a pause between busy stops. It is a deliberate detour, and most visitors stay one or two nights, though people who enjoy slow days with a camera, a bicycle and a book can stretch that. Solo travelers who like calm, history-minded couples and anyone tired of tour groups will feel at home. If you need a social hostel scene, plan a different stop.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Angaur Lighthouse area and coastal viewpoints. The old lighthouse on the island’s edge is the landmark most visitors search for, with a view over reef and open Pacific. Go at sunrise or late afternoon when the light is soft and the heat is bearable. There is no ticket booth and no fee. Allow 1 to 2 hours, including the walk or ride out.
  2. Japanese phosphate mine ruins and WWII bunkers. Phosphate was mined here for decades, and the 1944 battle left bunkers, caves and corroded machinery spread through the forest and along the old roads. The remains are not curated, so you read the story from the rust and the layout. Morning is best, before the heat peaks. A local guide for the day is usually about US$30 to 60, and 2 to 4 hours covers the main sites. Wear closed shoes and long trousers because the
… read more 👉
  1. Angaur Lighthouse area and coastal viewpoints. The old lighthouse on the island’s edge is the landmark most visitors search for, with a view over reef and open Pacific. Go at sunrise or late afternoon when the light is soft and the heat is bearable. There is no ticket booth and no fee. Allow 1 to 2 hours, including the walk or ride out.
  2. Japanese phosphate mine ruins and WWII bunkers. Phosphate was mined here for decades, and the 1944 battle left bunkers, caves and corroded machinery spread through the forest and along the old roads. The remains are not curated, so you read the story from the rust and the layout. Morning is best, before the heat peaks. A local guide for the day is usually about US$30 to 60, and 2 to 4 hours covers the main sites. Wear closed shoes and long trousers because the undergrowth is thick.
  3. Macaque forest walk. Angaur is known across Palau as the island with wild monkeys, and the groups are easiest to see in the early morning near the forest edges and quiet roads. Keep your distance, do not feed them and keep food out of sight, since they will grab bags. It costs nothing and 1 to 2 hours of slow walking is plenty. Bring water and bug spray.
Beyond the island, Peleliu with its WWII museum and battlefield, plus the dive sites at Blue Corner and German Channel, can be reached as day trips by boat from the south. The best choice for a first visit is the phosphate mine ruins and bunkers, because they explain how Angaur became what it is.
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Things to do near Angaur

Milky Way, Shark City Island, Beach and Rock Island Tour

Milky Way, Shark City Island, Beach and Rock Island Tour

5.0(24)
From €181
per personViator
Koror City Tour

Koror City Tour

0.0(0) 4h
From €45
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (December to April): Angaur’s best window is these months, with 27 to 31°C (80 to 88°F) days, less rain and calmer afternoons for the boat crossing from Koror. Expect roughly 12 hours of daylight, and December to March can bring choppy seas from the trade winds.
  • Wet Season (July to October): Daily downpours turn the jungle roads muddy and the humidity heavy, with similar temperatures of 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F). Rough water can cancel crossings, and the mosquitoes get worse.
  • Transition Months (May, June, November): Showers are short and seas are often kind, which suits a quiet visit to the lighthouse and WWII sites.
  • Crowds and Prices: Angaur sees very few visitors in any month, so prices barely move. Koror lodging costs more in the dry season, especially December to March.
Book your … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to April): Angaur’s best window is these months, with 27 to 31°C (80 to 88°F) days, less rain and calmer afternoons for the boat crossing from Koror. Expect roughly 12 hours of daylight, and December to March can bring choppy seas from the trade winds.
  • Wet Season (July to October): Daily downpours turn the jungle roads muddy and the humidity heavy, with similar temperatures of 26 to 31°C (79 to 88°F). Rough water can cancel crossings, and the mosquitoes get worse.
  • Transition Months (May, June, November): Showers are short and seas are often kind, which suits a quiet visit to the lighthouse and WWII sites.
  • Crowds and Prices: Angaur sees very few visitors in any month, so prices barely move. Koror lodging costs more in the dry season, especially December to March.
Book your return boat before you leave Koror, since transport is the one thing weather can really change.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Angaur has almost no tourist lodging, so most backpackers either arrange a simple guesthouse or homestay on the island or sleep in Koror and visit on a long day. Expect to pay roughly US$40 to 80 a night for a basic room on Angaur, usually with fan, shared or private bath and few frills.
Arrange accommodation through the Angaur State Government office or through a Koror tour operator before you go. Do this ahead, because the island has no walk-in guesthouse scene, no booking apps and no hostels. Bring cash in US dollars, since card machines are rare, and carry water, snacks and insect repellent. … read more 👉
Angaur has almost no tourist lodging, so most backpackers either arrange a simple guesthouse or homestay on the island or sleep in Koror and visit on a long day. Expect to pay roughly US$40 to 80 a night for a basic room on Angaur, usually with fan, shared or private bath and few frills.
Arrange accommodation through the Angaur State Government office or through a Koror tour operator before you go. Do this ahead, because the island has no walk-in guesthouse scene, no booking apps and no hostels. Bring cash in US dollars, since card machines are rare, and carry water, snacks and insect repellent.
Food is limited to a couple of small stores and whatever your host cooks. Stock up on groceries in Koror before the boat leaves, and ask your host about meals when booking.
If you want hostel beds, a choice of restaurants and dive shops, base yourself in Koror, where dorm beds typically run US$25 to 40 and private rooms US$60 to 120. From there you can reach Angaur on a day-long arrangement with a boat operator. Sleeping on the island is better if you want the lighthouse, the old phosphate-mining ruins and the macaque forest without watching the clock.
Best hostels in Palau


Best quality hotels in Palau

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Angaur is a destination you reach rather than a hub, but once you are on the island, a few good outings are easy by foot, bike or borrowed pickup, and one neighboring island is reachable by boat.
Island Loop to the Lighthouse and WWII Relics: The flat, roughly 8 square kilometer island can be covered in half a day by bike or on foot. You pass the lighthouse, rusting Japanese and American wartime remnants, and old phosphate-mine workings that jungle is slowly swallowing. Budget US$0 to 20 if your host lends a bicycle or drives you. Go early in the morning before heat builds, and do not wander far into overgrown ruins without a local guide.

Macaque Forest Walk: Long-tailed macaques live in the island’s forest, and spotting them takes a quiet 2 to 3 hour walk with a local who knows where the troops … read more 👉
Angaur is a destination you reach rather than a hub, but once you are on the island, a few good outings are easy by foot, bike or borrowed pickup, and one neighboring island is reachable by boat.
Island Loop to the Lighthouse and WWII Relics: The flat, roughly 8 square kilometer island can be covered in half a day by bike or on foot. You pass the lighthouse, rusting Japanese and American wartime remnants, and old phosphate-mine workings that jungle is slowly swallowing. Budget US$0 to 20 if your host lends a bicycle or drives you. Go early in the morning before heat builds, and do not wander far into overgrown ruins without a local guide.

Macaque Forest Walk: Long-tailed macaques live in the island’s forest, and spotting them takes a quiet 2 to 3 hour walk with a local who knows where the troops feed. Guides usually ask around US$20 to 50, depending on group size. Dry months make the tracks easier. First-timers often carry food openly and attract trouble, so keep snacks sealed.

Peleliu by Charter Boat: Peleliu lies north of Angaur across open water, and the crossing by chartered boat takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes. Its Pacific War sites, including the airfield, Japanese caves and Orange Beach, justify a full day. Charters are not cheap, often US$150 to 300 per boat, so split the cost among several travelers. Arrange it well in advance, and choose calm dry-season mornings.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Take the state boat or a chartered boat from Malakal Harbor in Koror, which takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on sea conditions and boat type. Schedules are irregular, so confirm sailing days with the Angaur State Government office or a Koror tour operator. Chartering costs several hundred US dollars per boat, while sharing a scheduled trip is much cheaper. Bring US cash, because there are no card facilities to count on.
Yes, if you want WWII ruins, a quiet island and almost no other travelers. You get the old lighthouse, abandoned phosphate-mining sites, and wild macaques in the forest, all within an easy loop of about 8 square kilometers. It is not worth the effort if you want dive shops, restaurants or nightlife, which are all in Koror. Plan at least one night to enjoy it.
A day trip is possible but tight, because the boat ride alone can take 1.5 to 2.5 hours each way from Koror. That leaves around 3 to 5 hours on the island for the lighthouse and WWII sites, if the crossing is calm. A private charter makes this realistic, costing about US$300 or more per boat. Staying one night on Angaur, at roughly US$40 to 80, gives you a far more relaxed visit.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Palauan villages near Angaur

Explore more nearby:

  • Airai—Painted storyboard bai, airport-side stays, southern Babeldaob, quiet first night| 68 km away
  • Ngatpang—Ngeremeduu Bay, kayak paddling, old stone platforms, west coast| 77 km away
  • Ngerulmud—Domed Capitol, manicured lawns, weekday stop, jungle-edged hilltop| 86 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Two nights is the right length. One night feels rushed, because the bunkers, lighthouse and monkeys take a full day to cover at a slow pace, and the second morning is the best time for wildlife and light. Stay longer only if you want to read, surf or do nothing at all. I would bring snacks and a headlamp, then leave the schedule loose.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Palau. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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