Palau offers a scenic flight over the Rock Islands, along with the opportunity to take stunning pictures.

Scenic flights over the Rock Islands have become increasingly popular among tourists in Palau due to the breathtaking beauty of this Pacific landscape.

Both the boat tour and the scenic flight offer different perspectives of the Rock Islands, allowing visitors to choose based on personal preference.

I recently took a flight on a small prop plane with Pacific Mission Aviation, and it was a positive experience.

Visitors have the opportunity to take pictures without doors, providing an overhead view of the town of Koror, followed by breathtaking panoramic vistas of numerous islands, lakes, and lagoons in Palau.

This travel blog provides comprehensive information about the Palau scenic flights, including details about the booking process, prices, safety measures, and the experience during the flight. Additionally, it features some pictures taken during my own flight.

What to expect on the Palau Scenic Flight.

What is the location of the Rock Islands?

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

A prop plane allows for quick access to the best islands, with a flight time of approximately 10 minutes. The picturesque scenery begins as soon as you take off from Koror.

Flying over Palau is a unique and fascinating experience.

The company is called Pacific Mission Aviation.

Pacific Mission Aviation (PMA) is a company that offers scenic flights over Palau, and they are currently the only company that provides this service.

PMA is a Christian missionary organization that conducts scenic flights to support their humanitarian and medical work in the islands. These flights also help cover the costs of inter-island transportation for Palauan locals.

The work being done in Palau is commendable, and the opportunity to contribute to it is an added benefit of going on one of their scenic flights.

This is one of my preferred pictures of the Rock Islands.

The weather is ideal for a scenic flight.

What you can expect on a Palau Scenic Flight.

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

I traveled alone, but I had arranged for PMA to join me with a group of three other passengers for the Rock Islands flight that day.

I joined the other passengers in the PMA van, all of whom were international tourists, and together we made a 20-minute drive to PMA’s hangar at the Palau International Airport.

During the check-in process, we completed a liability waiver and had our credit cards charged. Afterward, we proceeded to the hangar to prepare for our flight in the Cessna 206.

Palau is widely considered to be one of the most stunning countries globally.

The Milky Way

PMA removes the doors from the plane during scenic flights in Palau, offering excellent views and photo opportunities. For safety, passengers are provided with seat belts and there is also a safety bar that covers a portion of the open doorway.

A precaution to take is to firmly grip your phone or camera with both hands when sticking it out of the open door, as the wind can be quite strong and there is a risk of losing it.

If this is your first time flying in a small propeller plane like this, you may experience some initial nervousness during takeoff, but it quickly fades away once you’re airborne.

The Cessna 206 plane is currently at the hangar.

Passengers are advised to securely hold onto their electronic devices when taking photos during the flight.

The views are breathtaking as you depart from Koror. While the town may appear unremarkable from ground level, from an aerial perspective, it becomes evident that it is encompassed by a multitude of lagoons and impressive limestone rock formations.

The PMA provided headsets for each passenger, which helped reduce noise from the plane, and they provided a commentary explaining the sights of Palau as we flew over them. The Rock Islands appear visually stunning from above and are personally one of my favorite landscapes globally.

We observed a variety of tropical islands with varying shapes and sizes, featuring turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, barren sandbars, and rock arches. Obtaining such views would be challenging even with the assistance of a drone.

Tropical paradise

Sandbar

During our journey, we observed notable landmarks such as the Milky Way, Jellyfish Lake, German Channel, and the renowned ’70 Islands’ formation, often portrayed on Palauan postcards and souvenirs.

The total experience lasted approximately 2 hours, including transportation to and from my hotel, with a flight time of about 40 minutes. During this time, we were able to see and photograph a multitude of things.

After returning to the hangar, we had the opportunity to witness a C130 plane from the Australian Air Force landing on the same runway where we had previously departed.

Coming in for landing

What is the optimal time to travel by air?

The Palau scenic flights typically take place in the morning, when there is a higher chance of clear weather. We had clear skies when we started our tour and returned to the hangar before some clouds started to form.

The precipitation in Palau remains relatively consistent throughout the year, with the driest period occurring from January to April in Koror and the Rock Islands. However, it is important to note that even during these months, there is still a significant amount of rainfall.

The timing of the rain is uncertain, and it may occur in the evening or at night. There is no guarantee of perfect weather regardless of when you go.

I visited Palau in September, which is often considered one of the rainier months of the year. However, during my visit, the weather was consistently perfect with no rain for several days, which had no impact on my travel plans.

The ’70 Islands’ formation

What is the cost of the flight?

During my trip as a solo traveler, I paid a total of $180 USD, with an additional 3.5% charge for paying by credit card. It is worth noting that while they do accept US credit cards, American Express is not accepted.

Their flights require a minimum of 3 passengers, which can impact the cost. If the flight does not meet the minimum requirement, passengers may need to pay additional fees or reschedule for another date or time.

Visitors can find the current prices and other terms on the company’s website. They offer complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off in Palau, and there is no additional fee for removing the plane doors for photography purposes.

We observed numerous lagoons during our tour.

Is It Safe?

Pacific Mission Aviation has been conducting flights in Palau since 2012. They provide both scenic and inter-island flights to destinations such as Angaur and Peleliu, showcasing their extensive experience.

The safety of a plane depends on the pilot, but the Cessna 206 is typically considered a reliable and safe aircraft. While I wouldn’t choose to fly one daily for work, I believe a short scenic flight like this is generally safe.

The Rock Islands were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.

Is It Worth It?

I believe that the Palau scenic flight is worth the experience. It offers one of the most stunning landscapes in the world, and observing it from above provides an unmatched perspective.

The experience is quite impressive, and the price is very reasonable considering what you receive. To provide a point of reference, I paid nearly twice the amount for my Great Blue Hole flight in Belize, as well as for the Franz Josef glacier helicopter tour that my wife and I took in New Zealand.

During the Palau flight, I had the opportunity to capture numerous beautiful photographs of the Rock Islands. Overall, the experience was more enjoyable and cost-effective compared to similar tours I have taken in other parts of the world.

One of the initial photos captured during my flight to Palau.

Interesting Facts About the Rock Islands of Palau

• The name “Rock Islands” comes from the fact that they are limestone rock formations covered with tropical vegetation, despite not appearing like traditional rocks.
• According to UNESCO, there are approximately 445 uninhabited islands in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, covering a total area of 100,200 hectares (about 250,000 acres). Could you please confirm how many islands there are in total.
• The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2012 due to its exceptional beauty, natural biodiversity, and cultural value.
• The Rock Islands are inhabited by various species of animals including birds, fruit bats, dugongs, sea turtles, saltwater crocodiles, as well as a wide range of coral, fish, and giant clams.

See the tiny boat?

Questions about the Palau Scenic Flight are commonly asked.

• The PMA scenic flight departs from the Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, also known as the Palau International Airport in Koror. However, for the tour, participants will be required to visit PMA’s office and hangar, located on the north apron side of the Palau airport (map provided).
• Yes, you are allowed to take pictures. I took more than 200 photos with my camera during the flight, as well as some videos with my phone. Additionally, I was permitted to mount my GoPro on the plane wing for another perspective. Overall, as a photographer, this flight provided a more enjoyable experience compared to my scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole in Belize, although that was also enjoyable.
• The two right seats are considered the best since they typically offer the opportunity to see the right-side views of the plane. However, even though I was seated in a corner seat on the left, I managed to take pictures by leaning over to the right. Given the small size of the plane, you can expect to have nice views from any seat.
• The PMA flights typically accommodate a minimum of 3 passengers and a maximum of 5. Additional charges apply for bookings with less than 3 passengers.
• According to PMA, it is safe to fly after scuba diving because the flights operate at an altitude of around 300 meters (1,000 feet) where decompression is not necessary.
• Is it necessary to bring my passport? It is not required to bring your passport for the scenic flight.
• To book the Palau scenic flight, you can visit the official website for Pacific Mission Aviation.

The 70 Islands

Take a final glance out the window.

The Rock Islands Boat Tour is a popular attraction in Palau.

Many individuals opt to experience the islands through a scenic flight, while another favorable alternative is to explore them via a boat tour.

During a speedboat tour to the Rock Islands of Palau, visitors have the opportunity to engage in various enjoyable activities such as swimming in a brilliantly colored lagoon known as the Milky Way, walking on a pristine white sandbar called Long Beach, and snorkeling in a lake inhabited by stingless jellyfish.

If you have the availability and resources, it is recommended that you try to partake in both activities. The scenic flight and boat tour offer unique experiences, and they are both highly enjoyable.

For more information, consider reading about the Rock Islands Palau Boat Tour.

Boat tours in Palau offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of the Rock Islands.

More Palau Travel Guides

Thank you for reading! I hope you found this guide on how to do a Palau scenic flight over the Rock Islands informative. It was a memorable experience for me in the country of Palau.

Please remember to consult the Palau Travel Guide before your trip.