World War II Tour

The Palau Island's fell into Japanese hands during the heights of WWII. Having wisely joined the allies, the Japanese vowed to rid the Pacific Islands of the German menace. In 1919 the League of Nations reluctantly accepted Japanese pocession of most of the Micronesian Islands and included a strict mandate:
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1.The islanders were to be given a competitive education.
2. Micronesians were to be granted equitable economic opportunities.
3. Under no circumstances were the islands to harbor any military presence.

The first two mandates were quickly ignored as Micronesian Islanders were placed in a position of servitude for the profit of the Japanese Empire. Commercial farming, mining and fishing operations quickly created a profitable atmosphere paving the way for future expansion. In 1936, the Japanese withdrew from the League of Nations setting the stage for unbridled military potential.

Palau was destined to become a launching pad for lightning fast strikes on Mac Arthur's Philippines, US held Guam, and Australian controlled PNG. After six months of uncontested offensive successes, Japan dominated a wide swath of territory from China to Wake and was threatening the Australian mainland. After delivering "an interrupted string of victories" Admiral Yamamoto finally conceded defeat at the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. With the US Marines seizure of Guadalcanal and Tarawa, Japan was finally forced to defend it's Micronesian holdings.

Private Charters:

 Babeldaob Tour

Now accessible by a US standard road, the jungles and savannahs of Babeldaob hide a host of WWII secrets. The Americans bombed, but never invaded Palau's largest volcanic island as a part of their famous "island hopping" campaign. Long range cannons, wrecked aircraft, the War Torn communication center, Japanese locomotives, and the Ka-Mi "special craft" amphibious tanks are all included in this full day tour. The tour is conducted via air-conditioned 4X4's with short forays into the bush along jungle trails. We'll provide lunch, snacks, beverages, and many of our "secret sites".

Ngedebus Island Tour

Ngedebus Island may be the best kept WWII secret in the Pacific. Attacked by the 1st Marine Division on September 28th, 1944, Ngedebus was taken over to prevent re-supply of the beleaguered Japanese troops on Peleliu Island. The Marines fought with brutal efficiency and secured the island after only one day of intense combat. Gene Sledge's epic novel, "With the Old Breed" describes the fighting on Ngedebus in gruesome detail.

Today the uninhabited island of Ngedebus has been reclaimed by the talon like grip of banyan trees, vast coconut groves, and protected mangrove forests. Accessible only by boat (or kayaks at low tide) Ngedebus Island is filled with haunting reminders of the brutal combat. Japanese Cannons, a US Sherman Tank, US Landing Craft, Machine Gun Nests, and a masterful network of Concrete Bunkers litter this remote Pacific Battlefield.

Our tour begins in Koror with a one hour boat ride. Kayaks will be provided if needed by tidal constraints. Lunch, snacks, and drinks will all be provided during this action packed hiking and paddling adventure. Cameras are a must as Ngedebus offers phenomenal photographic opportunities.

Rock Island Tour

Palau's limestone islands would prove to be an ideal citadel protecting the inner shores of Koror. General Inoue had prepared a vicious welcome for America's amphibious invasion, utilizing the labyrinth of islands as a natural fortress. After bypassing Koror, Inoue's defenses were quickly forgotten and remained buried in the jungle for over 50 years. Recent discoveries of bunkers, aircraft, cannons, and shallow water shipwrecks make for an action packed day of exploring, hiking, and snorkeling. This speed boat tour includes lunch, snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

Peleliu Island Tour

Peleliu Island was the site of some of the most intense combat of WWII. The veteran 1st Marine Division executed an amphibious "Storm Landing" on September 15, 1944, but immediately faced the well entrenched defenses of Colonel Kunio Nakagawa. Despite two days of intense US Naval gunfire, Nakagawa's labyrinth of concrete & limestone tunnels remained intact and ready for action. The two forces squared off and an unprecedented level of violent combat ensued. The Japanese had little hope of victory but fought on in an effort to bleed American strength and to delay further US offensives. A battle which was predicted to have lasted 3-7 days, raged on for two and a half months.

Peleliu Island today represents a nearly intact battlefield. Inhabited by only 500 islanders, most of the island has been reclaimed by the jungle. The state government has treated the battlefields like a respected museum and thus the caves, bunkers, tanks, cannons, and artifacts remain as thought provoking sentinels of the past.

Our Peleliu Island Tour includes a one hour boat ride from Koror, on island transportation, lunch, snacks, drinks, and of course our superb team of guides.