Palau in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Palau

31°C (88°F) High Temp

24°C (75°F) Low Temp

0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect diving conditions - November marks the end of jellyfish season and beginning of peak underwater visibility (30-40m/98-131ft) that lasts through April
Comfortable evening temperatures (24°C/75°F) make sunset kayaking and night fishing trips genuinely pleasant without the oppressive heat of other months
Tourist numbers drop 40% after October school holidays end, meaning popular dive sites like Micronesia have half the boats and better marine life encounters
Traditional taro harvesting season creates unique cultural experiences - locals gather weekly for communal earth oven (um) cooking that visitors can join

Considerations

Brief afternoon thunderstorms occur 10 days per month, typically 2-4pm, which can cancel afternoon boat trips with only 30-minute advance notice
Northeast trade winds pick up mid-month, creating 1-2m (3-6ft) swells on the eastern reef sites, limiting diving to western locations on windy days
Many restaurants reduce hours or close Sundays during the slower season - confirm operating schedules before planning evening meals

Best Activities in November

Jellyfish Lake Swimming and Rock Island Tours

November is optimal for Jellyfish Lake - water temperatures hit perfect 29°C (84°F) and jellyfish populations peak before December's spawning dispersal. The 800m (0.5-mile) swim is comfortable in morning hours before afternoon storms. Rock Islands Kayaking is superb with calm morning conditions and dramatic post-storm lighting for photography.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead as operators run smaller groups in November. Tours cost $85-120 per person including equipment. Choose morning departures (8am-12pm) to avoid afternoon weather. Look for operators including snorkel gear sanitization and multiple Rock Island stops.

Blue Corner and German Channel Diving

November offers Palau's best diving conditions - 30m+ (98ft+) visibility, 28°C (82°F) water temperature, and massive manta ray aggregations at German Channel. Sharks at Micronesia are most active in cooler morning water before 11am. Current diving conditions are ideal with predictable slack tide windows.

Booking Tip: Advanced Open Water certification required for Micronesia. Two-tank dives run $120-160. Book 14 days ahead - November is peak season for serious divers. Morning boats (7am departure) offer best conditions and marine life activity.

Kayak Fishing in Mangrove Channels

November's lower tourist numbers mean exclusive access to prime mangrove fishing spots. Evening temperatures of 24°C (75°F) make sunset fishing comfortable, and fish are most active during the 6-7pm golden hour. Snapper, grouper, and trevally bite consistently in the calmer post-storm periods.

Booking Tip: Half-day guided trips cost $90-130 including tackle and local fishing license. Evening tours (4-8pm) are most productive. Book through operators providing GPS emergency beacons for mangrove navigation safety.

WWII Historical Site Tours

November's variable weather makes indoor historical experiences valuable. Peleliu Battlefield tours are comfortable in cooler morning temperatures, and the Palau Banjul offers excellent rainy-day alternatives. Japanese bunkers and aircraft wrecks are accessible with minimal crowds.

Booking Tip: Full-day Peleliu tours cost $180-220 including boat transport and lunch. Book morning tours (8am start) for best weather windows. Combination land-and-sea historical tours offer indoor alternatives during afternoon storms.

Traditional Village Cultural Immersion

November taro harvest season offers authentic cultural participation opportunities. Village earth oven cooking happens weekly, and locals welcome respectful visitors to join food preparation and traditional storytelling sessions. Cooler evenings make outdoor cultural activities comfortable.

Booking Tip: Cultural village visits cost $40-65 per person including traditional meal. Contact Palau Visitors Authority for authentic village programs rather than resort-based cultural shows. Tuesday and Saturday communal cooking sessions are most welcoming to visitors.

Ngardmau Waterfall Hiking

November's occasional rains keep the 30m (98ft) waterfall flowing strongly while afternoon storms provide natural cooling during the 2.8km (1.7-mile) jungle hike. The muddy trail conditions actually improve grip on steep sections, and fewer tourists mean peaceful swimming in the natural pool.

Booking Tip: Guided hikes cost $45-60 including transport from Koror. Start early (7am) to complete the 3-hour round trip before afternoon storms. Wear grip-sole hiking shoes - trail becomes slippery but manageable after rains.

November Events & Festivals

Mid November

Traditional Taro Harvest Festival

Local communities celebrate the main taro harvest with traditional earth oven cooking, storytelling, and cultural demonstrations. Visitors can participate in food preparation and learn traditional farming techniques passed down through generations.

Throughout November

Independence Day Preparations

Communities begin preparing traditional crafts and cultural performances for Palau's Independence Day in December. November workshops welcome visitors to learn traditional weaving, carving, and dance preparations.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight waterproof phone case - November storms are brief but intense, and you'll want photos during the dramatic post-storm lighting

Quick-dry hiking pants - jungle trails stay muddy 2-3 days after November rains, regular shorts leave you exposed to mosquitoes

SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen (minimum 200ml/6.8oz tube) - UV index of 8 plus water reflection requires reapplication every 90 minutes

Lightweight rain jacket with ventilation zippers - afternoon storms last 20-30 minutes but are too heavy for basic windbreakers

Grip-sole water shoes for rocky reef entries - November swells make shore entries more challenging at popular snorkel spots

Insect repellent with 30% DEET minimum - November humidity (70%) keeps mosquitoes active even during brief evening cooling

Dry bag (20L minimum) for electronics during boat trips - November's variable conditions mean unexpected spray even on calm-looking days

Long-sleeve UV shirt for extended water activities - 6+ hours of snorkeling or diving requires more protection than just sunscreen

Headlamp with red light setting - November's earlier sunsets (6:30pm) and cultural evening activities often extend past dark

Probiotics or digestive aids - traditional taro-heavy November cuisine can challenge sensitive stomachs unaccustomed to high-fiber foods

Insider Knowledge

Book diving for Tuesday-Thursday when weekend dive boats from Guam aren't crowding sites - November weekdays offer 50% fewer divers at popular locations like Micronesia

Afternoon storms pass quickly but create spectacular photography light - the 20 minutes after storms clear offer the most dramatic lighting for Rock Island photos

Local markets (Koror and Airai) stock seasonal November produce like fresh taro and breadfruit Tuesday/Friday mornings - arrive by 8am for best selection and cultural interaction

November's lower tourist numbers mean restaurant staff have more time for conversation - ask servers about family fishing spots and seasonal local foods for authentic recommendations beyond tourist menus

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking afternoon boat tours (2-5pm) when 60% of November days have brief storms during this window - morning tours (8am-12pm) have 90% success rate for completion

Packing only beach clothes - November evenings drop to 24°C (75°F) and cultural activities require modest coverage; bring long pants and sleeves for village visits

Expecting Caribbean-style steady weather - November is 'variable' season with rapid changes requiring flexible daily plans and indoor backup activities