Rock Islands Southern Lagoon

The Southern Lagoon of the Rock Islands is made up of a smattering of big and tiny forested limestone islands strewn inside a marine lagoon protected by a barrier reef. In the western Pacific Ocean, the property is located within Koror State, just to the south of Palau's major volcanic island, Babeldaob.

The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon spans 100,200 acres and is home to 445 deserted volcanic limestone islands. In turquoise lagoons bordered by coral reefs, many of them have unusual mushroom-like formations. The site's physical attractiveness is enhanced by a sophisticated reef system that includes over 385 coral species and various types of habitat. They support a diverse range of flora, birds, and marine life, including the dugong and at least thirteen shark species.

The place has the world's highest concentration of marine lakes, which are small bodies of seawater separated from the ocean by land. They are one of the islands' most distinguishing characteristics, sustaining high endemism in populations that continue to provide new species discoveries. Over three millennia, the ruins of stonework towns, as well as burial sites and rock art, bore witness to the organization of small island communities.

Location: Koror, Palau