AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Off the coast of Palau's main town, Koror, Fantasy Snorkel draws visitors to a snorkeling spot that earns its name in the most literal way possible. Just offshore from one of the Rock Islands, a field of blue coral stretches across the shallows in a shade so vivid it tints the surrounding water an otherworldly blue-green. Most coral looks brown, tan, or muted in tones — this is genuinely, strikingly blue, the kind of underwater color that makes you check whether your mask is distorting things.↗
Set within the UNESCO-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, Fantasy Snorkel sits in a marine environment where limestone mushroom-shaped islets rise from turquoise water and the reef life around them thrives in remarkable clarity. For a snorkeler arriving from anywhere else, the combination of that rare blue coral and the surreal island backdrop makes this a stop worth building a day tour around.↗↗
What Makes the Blue Coral Special
The coral field at Fantasy Snorkel is not the usual brownish hard coral you find on tropical reefs. Travelers who snorkel here describe an actual blue coloration that is unusual enough to be the island's calling card. In clear, shallow water over white sand, blue coral can appear even more vivid, giving the whole area a glow that photographers chase. Beyond the color, the shallowness means you do not need to be a strong swimmer or wear fins to get a good look — you can simply float face-down and watch the formations beneath you.
