Babeldaob
Babeldaob is one of the islands making up Palau.
Understand
Babeldaob is the biggest island of Palau, and has a population of about 6,000. The village of Melekeok on the island has served as Palau's capital city since 2006, despite its small population of about 250 people. It is the smallest national capital in the world by population.
The island has fresh water in Lakes Ngardok and other watersheds which provide the country with drinking water. Ngardok Nature Reserve was established to protect the water quality.
This mountainous island also has Mount Ngerchelchuus, the nation's highest point.
Get in
- 1 Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR IATA) (in the south of the island). The main gateway to Palau.
From Koror you can cross over the Koror-Babeldaob bridge by car, bus or taxi.
Get around
Driving is the best option for getting around this sparsely populated area. The roads here tend to be in very good condition and the traffic very light.
See
Melekeok
- 1 Palau's capitol complex. Melekeok is home to Palau's capitol complex, though technically the town of Ngerulmud houses the complex. However the complex is the only thing in Ngerulmud. The picturesque capitol grounds include the judicial, legislative and executive buildings for the national government. The capitol complex remains controversial to many locals, given its expansive size and cost relative to the country's tiny population.
- Did el Bad er a Beriber. Ancient Dock's stone bridge.
- 2 Ngermecheluch Site.
- Lomech er Ngii el mora (Ngeremecheluch). Ancient stone path.
Elsewhere
- 3 Odalmelech. Ngermelech Gods carved from stone.
- Meteu el Klechem (Ngermelech Village).;
- 4 Bai el Melekeong/Euang el Chades (Ngerang). Melekeok's Bai and its platform of four.
- 5 Badrulchau Stone Monoliths. Possibly Palau's largest archaeological site with a collection of 52 ancient stone monoliths.
Do
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Airai Water Paradise Hotel & Spa (southern end of Babeldaob), ☏ +680-587-3530. The hotel has three of the largest things of Palau—the largest storyboard full of Palau history, the largest water park with two water slides, and the largest olympic-sized swimming pool. Standard rooms, honeymoon suites, and newly-renovated ocean view suites are available.