The large coral ridge that runs parallel to Peleliu's west coast was nicknamed 'Bloody Nose Ridge' by the Americans in WWII. This small limestone hill…
Peleliu
If you'd like to temporarily escape the relative hustle and bustle of the capital, the small coral island of Peleliu, in the south of the archipelago, offers a tranquil option. There's only one village – Klouklubed – and often it will seem like you've got the entire island all to yourself. Everything remains small and personable; there are no big resorts, just a handful of family-run establishments. It's hard to imagine that Peleliu was the site of one the bloodiest WWII battles in the Pacific theatre. Today, the US and Japanese war relics scattered across the island are Peleliu's major attractions, along with a few good beaches. Some of Palau's most famous dive sites also lie just offshore.
Explore Peleliu
- US Army 323rd Infantry Monument & Lookout
The large coral ridge that runs parallel to Peleliu's west coast was nicknamed 'Bloody Nose Ridge' by the Americans in WWII. This small limestone hill…
- WWII Memorial Museum
Housed in a concrete building that was a dispensary during WWII, this well-organised museum is an excellent starting point to understand the historical…
- Japanese Military Headquarters Building
This two-storey building was the Japanese forward command post during WWII. It was important in their efforts to control Peleliu and was very fiercely…
- American Tanks
Northwest of the airstrip, two sturdy-looking US tanks rust in union on a grassy patch of land near a dirt track. Both are LVTs – Landing Vehicle Tractors…
- Peleliu Peace Memorial Park
On the southwestern tip of the island, the Japanese government built this memorial in 1985 for those who perished on Palau during WWII. The monument…
- Thousand Man Cave
On the northern outskirts of the Klouklubed village, Thousand Man Cave refers to a maze of tunnels and chambers built by the Japanese during WWII. The…
- Tank and Japanese Cannon
Right in the middle of the island, there's a wrecked LVT A1 tank that was lost in action when US Marines overran a nearby Japanese stronghold in 1944…
- Japanese Power Plant Building
One of Peleliu's most spectacular WWII sites, this large concrete structure suffered severe damage from aerial bombing – look for the massive hole in the…
- Orange Beach
The first US invasion forces to land on Peleliu came ashore at Orange Beach on 15 September 1944. From concrete pillboxes, the Japanese machine-gunned the…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Peleliu.
See
US Army 323rd Infantry Monument & Lookout
The large coral ridge that runs parallel to Peleliu's west coast was nicknamed 'Bloody Nose Ridge' by the Americans in WWII. This small limestone hill…
See
WWII Memorial Museum
Housed in a concrete building that was a dispensary during WWII, this well-organised museum is an excellent starting point to understand the historical…
See
Japanese Military Headquarters Building
This two-storey building was the Japanese forward command post during WWII. It was important in their efforts to control Peleliu and was very fiercely…
See
American Tanks
Northwest of the airstrip, two sturdy-looking US tanks rust in union on a grassy patch of land near a dirt track. Both are LVTs – Landing Vehicle Tractors…
See
Peleliu Peace Memorial Park
On the southwestern tip of the island, the Japanese government built this memorial in 1985 for those who perished on Palau during WWII. The monument…
See
Thousand Man Cave
On the northern outskirts of the Klouklubed village, Thousand Man Cave refers to a maze of tunnels and chambers built by the Japanese during WWII. The…
See
Tank and Japanese Cannon
Right in the middle of the island, there's a wrecked LVT A1 tank that was lost in action when US Marines overran a nearby Japanese stronghold in 1944…
See
Japanese Power Plant Building
One of Peleliu's most spectacular WWII sites, this large concrete structure suffered severe damage from aerial bombing – look for the massive hole in the…
See
Orange Beach
The first US invasion forces to land on Peleliu came ashore at Orange Beach on 15 September 1944. From concrete pillboxes, the Japanese machine-gunned the…
Guidebooks
Learn more about Peleliu
Uncover the heart of travel and be inspired to see new sights with one of Lonely Planet’s in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.