Experience the Breathtaking Scenic Flight Over Palau’s Rock Islands

A scenic flight over the Rock Islands is becoming one of the most popular activities for tourists in the little country of Palau, and it’s easy to see why: this is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific!

While it’s a great idea to visit the Rock Islands on a boat tour, the scenic flight provides an extraordinary and unique perspective that is challenging to surpass.

I recently joined one of these flights on a little prop plane with Pacific Mission Aviation, and the entire experience was fantastic.

The doors are removed for pictures, offering an overhead view of Koror, followed by stunning vistas of hundreds of Palau’s most beautiful islands, lakes, and lagoons. It’s paradise!

Where Are The Rock Islands Located?

The Rock Islands are located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Koror, Palau, making them easily accessible by plane.

In a prop plane, you can reach the splendid islands in about 10 minutes, although the scenery begins immediately after takeoff from Koror!

The Company: Pacific Mission Aviation

Scenic flights in Palau have been pioneered by a company known as Pacific Mission Aviation (PMA). They were the first to offer scenic flights over Palau.

Another company, Fish ‘n Fins, also offers scenic flights, but my experience is solely with PMA, which I will outline here.

PMA is primarily a Christian missionary organization, so by taking a scenic flight with them, you aid their humanitarian and medical missions while also helping to offset the costs of inter-island flights for local residents.

They’re doing excellent work in Palau, and contributing to that through this scenic flight is a wonderful bonus!

Palau Scenic Flight: What To Expect

My scenic flight in Palau began with a 10:20 AM pickup from my hotel in Koror.

Although I was traveling solo, I had arranged in advance with PMA to join a group of 3 other passengers flying over the Rock Islands that day.

We hopped in the PMA van with the other passengers (all international tourists) and made the quick 20-minute drive to PMA’s hangar at Palau International Airport.

At check-in, we filled out a liability waiver and were charged our credit cards, then moved out to the hangar to prepare for our flight in a Cessna 206.

PMA removes the doors from the plane for all scenic flights in Palau, which offers excellent views and photo opportunities. For safety, you’ll have a seat belt and a safety bar that covers part of the open doorway.

However, be cautious about sticking your phone or camera out the open door, as the wind can be strong. Make sure to hold it securely with both hands to avoid losing it.

If this is your first time flying in such a small prop plane, you might feel nervous during takeoff, but you’ll forget those feelings quickly once you’re airborne.

The views are spectacular even as you depart Koror. The town may seem unremarkable from the ground, but from above you’ll notice it is surrounded by a myriad of lagoons and limestone rock formations.

PMA provided headsets for each passenger to block some of the noise from the plane, along with a commentary explaining the various sights in Palau as we flew overhead. The Rock Islands look absolutely stunning from above — it’s genuinely one of my favorite landscapes worldwide!

We observed tropical islands in a variety of shapes and sizes, alongside turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, barren sandbars, and striking rock arches. Capturing views like this with a drone would be a challenge.

Some notable landmarks we spotted included the Milky Way, Jellyfish Lake, German Channel, and the iconic ’70 Islands’ formation often seen on postcards and souvenirs from Palau.

The total experience lasted about 2 hours, which included pickup and drop-off from my hotel, while the actual flight time was around 40 minutes. We managed to see and photograph so many sights during that time!

As an exciting bonus, upon returning to the hangar, we witnessed a C130 plane from the Australian Air Force land on the same runway from which we had earlier taken off.

When Is The Best Time To Fly?

Palau scenic flights generally operate in the morning, providing the best chance for clear weather. We experienced perfectly clear skies at the start of our tour, returning to the hangar just before clouds began to form.

The time of year you fly isn’t overly critical, as Palau receives ample rainfall year-round. The driest months are typically January to April, but even during these months, rain is still common.

However, you shouldn’t worry too much about it, as rain usually occurs in the evenings or at night. Regardless of when you travel, perfect weather is never guaranteed.

I visited Palau in September, considered one of the wetter months, yet experienced flawless weather with no rain for several days, which did not impact my travel plans at all.

What Does The Flight Cost?

As a solo traveler, my cost came to $180 USD, plus a 3.5% credit card transaction fee. They accept US credit cards, excluding American Express.

The flights require a three-passenger minimum, which can affect pricing. If fewer than three passengers are booked for your flight, you may either need to pay an additional fee or reschedule for a different date or time.

For current pricing and terms, you can visit their website. They offer complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off in Palau, and there’s no added charge for removing the doors from the plane for photography.

Is It Safe?

Pacific Mission Aviation has been conducting flights in Palau since 2012. In addition to scenic flights, they also operate inter-island flights to places like Angaur and Peleliu, giving them valuable experience.

The safety of a flight depends significantly on the pilot, but the Cessna 206 is generally regarded as a safe and reliable aircraft. While I wouldn’t choose it for daily commercial use, a short scenic flight like this presents relatively low risk.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely! The Palau scenic flight is an experience that’s genuinely worth it! This landscape is among the most exceptional in the world, and seeing it from the air is unparalleled.

The experience itself is incredible, and the pricing is very reasonable for what you receive. To put it in perspective, I spent nearly double for my flight over the Great Blue Hole in Belize, as well as the helicopter tour of the Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand.

During my Palau flight, I captured numerous breathtaking images of the Rock Islands, and it was overall a far superior and more affordable experience compared to similar tours around the globe.

Fun Facts About The Rock Islands Of Palau

• Why are they called the Rock Islands?
  The Rock Islands may not appear as rocks, but they are limestone rock formations covered with vibrant tropical vegetation.
• How many islands are there?
  According to UNESCO, approximately 445 uninhabited islands comprise the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, covering a total area of 100,200 hectares (around 250,000 acres).
• What is the UNESCO status?
  The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon has been acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012 due to its extraordinary beauty, ecological diversity, and cultural significance.
• What kinds of animals live there?
  The Rock Islands are home to numerous species, including birds, fruit bats, dugongs, sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, plus diverse corals, fish, and giant clams.

Frequently Asked Questions (Palau Scenic Flight)

• Which airport is used for the flights?
  The PMA scenic flight departs from Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, also known as Palau International Airport in Koror. However, you will first go to PMA’s office and hangar, located on the north apron side of the airport (map here).
• Can you take pictures?
  Indeed! You can take as many pictures as you wish. I captured over 200 photos with my camera during the flight and some videos with my phone. They even allowed me to mount my GoPro on the wing for additional perspectives.
  Overall, as a photography enthusiast, this flight surpassed my scenic flight experience over the Great Blue Hole in Belize, which was also enjoyable.
• Which seat is best?
  The two right seats are typically the best, as they usually open the door on the right side of the plane. I was assigned a corner seat on the left but still managed to capture great pictures by leaning over to the right side. Given the plane’s size, you’ll have great views from any seat.
• How many passengers will be onboard?
  PMA flights require a minimum of three passengers and can accommodate a maximum of five. To fly with fewer than three passengers, additional fees would apply.
• Can you fly after scuba diving?
  PMA states that the flights operate at around 300 meters (1,000 feet) altitude, where decompression is not necessary.
• Do I need to bring my passport?
  No, you do not need to bring your passport for the scenic flight.

Rock Islands Boat Tour In Palau

While many prefer to see the islands via scenic flight, another excellent option is a boat tour.

On a speedboat tour to the Rock Islands, you can enjoy numerous fun activities such as swimming in the stunning turquoise lagoon known as the Milky Way, strolling on the soft white sandbar named Long Beach, and even snorkeling in a lake filled with stingless jellyfish!

If time and budget allow, I strongly recommend experiencing both activities. The scenic flight and boat tour offer distinct experiences, yet both are remarkable!

Thank you for reading! I hope you found this guide on how to enjoy a scenic flight over the Rock Islands beneficial and inspiring for your visit to the beautiful country of Palau.