Palau, a beautiful archipelago in the Western Pacific, was an important strategic location during World War II. It was a critical part of Japan's defense perimeter, and the Allied forces, led by the United States, fought fiercely to take control of the islands. Palau witnessed some of the most intense battles of the war, and many relics and monuments remain as reminders of this violent past. Today, Palau is a peaceful and welcoming destination for visitors from all over the world.

World War II in Koror and Babaldaob

Koror and Babaldaob, the main islands of Palau, played significant roles in the war. Koror was a major Japanese naval base, and it was heavily bombed by Allied forces. Many of the war relics and sites in Koror have been preserved, and visitors can see the remnants of the Japanese occupation, including tunnels, bunkers, and gun emplacements. Babaldaob was the original target of the Allied forces, but the attack was shifted to Peleliu because it had a better airfield. Visitors can see the remnants of the Japanese occupation in Babaldaob, including a large gun emplacement and an underground hospital.

World War II Heritage Tour in Koror and Babeldaob

Step back in time and explore Palau's powerful World War II legacy on this immersive historical journey through Koror and Babeldaob. Once a strategic Japanese stronghold in the Pacific, these islands witnessed some of the war's fiercest fighting and today preserve remarkable remnants of that turbulent era.

Your expert guide, specializing in Pacific War history, will lead you through a landscape where jungle vines now embrace rusting artillery and tropical flowers bloom from concrete bunkers. Using vintage photographs and personal accounts, they'll bring to life the stories of soldiers and islanders who lived through these dramatic years.

Koror's Military Sites

Begin in Koror, which served as Japan's major naval command center. You'll explore:

Japanese Command Tunnels - Venture into the underground network where Japanese officers planned defensive operations. These hand-carved tunnels, hewn from limestone rock, still bear the marks of their hasty construction. The cool, damp passages stretch deep into the hillsides, some connecting to ammunition storage areas and communication rooms.

Coastal Gun Emplacements - Stand beside massive artillery pieces that once guarded the harbor approaches. These imposing weapons, now silent and weathered, remain positioned where Japanese gunners tracked Allied ships across the horizon.

Reinforced Bunkers - Examine thick concrete fortifications, some still bearing visible battle scars from American bombing raids. Their strategic placement reveals the Japanese military's defensive thinking.

Anti-Aircraft Positions - Visit elevated platforms where crews operated weapons against waves of American aircraft during the intense 1944 bombing campaigns.

Babeldaob's Hidden History

Cross to Babeldaob, Palau's largest island, originally slated as the main invasion target before operations shifted to Peleliu. Here you'll discover:

Underground Hospital Complex - Tour the subterranean medical facility where Japanese doctors treated wounded soldiers under impossible conditions. The carved chambers and corridors speak to the desperation of the final war years.

Heavy Artillery Installation - Examine one of the largest gun emplacements in Palau, positioned to defend against the anticipated invasion that never came to Babeldaob.

Supply Depots and Barracks - See where thousands of Japanese troops were stationed, with foundations and structures slowly being reclaimed by the jungle.

Observation Posts - Visit hilltop positions that offered commanding views of surrounding waters, critical for spotting incoming Allied forces.

Your guide will also share how Palauans survived the occupation, the island's strategic importance in Japan's defensive perimeter, and the transition to American administration after the war. You'll learn how these peaceful islands transformed into a fortress and back again.

The tour includes stops at local memorials honoring both the fallen and survivors, offering moments of reflection on the human cost of war and the resilience of the Palauan people who rebuilt their home.