The wonders of nature simply never cease to amaze us. Cliffs that generate vertigo… imposing mountains… beaches that seem like the branch of paradise… plains where the gaze is lost… In every corner of the planet we find truly amazing places. But today in Supercurioso we want to talk to you about one that combines geography and animal life, in a phenomenal way, the jellyfish lake in Palau.
When we talk about the fun facts about jellyfishwe find creatures as enigmatic as they are fascinating. On dangerous occasions, they also give off its simple organisms a rhythmic beauty. An invitation to dreams tinged with suggestive colors, with incredible dreamlike and suggestive forms. Are you perhaps one of those who fear jellyfish? Or are you one of those who is mesmerized when you see its mysterious world? Well, today we invite you to visit a place that has hundreds of them. This is the Jellyfish Lake, located in Palau, Micronesia, 500 kilometers from the Philippines. Ready to dive in? Well, let’s get started!
Explore the exotic jellyfish lake
In Supercurioso we love to travel the planet and explore its corners. And some time ago we told you about another magical lake, the green lake, Grüner See. But Palau’s jellyfish lake has a special feature: It is a saltwater lake. A natural treasure hidden in the Palau archipelago, in Micronesia. It may be a bit far for you, but it is an adventure that is certainly worth it. It is one of the least inhabited corners of the world, where you will find not only an ideal natural balance, but also an exceptional gift for some marine species.
The interesting thing about this scenario is that more than 10,000 years ago it was connected to the ocean itself, but time and nature ended up closing its access, as you can see in the image, enclosing a small saltwater lake. That is where countless creatures stayed that, unfortunately, failed to adapt to the new conditions. All but one became extinct: jellyfish. These beautiful creatures have a great ability to survive. Up to 30 million individuals have come to exist in Palau’s jellyfish lake, although they have also been close to extinction.
Diving among jellyfish, is it possible?
Along with the Palau jellyfish, it is also known by its Palauan name: Ongeim`l Tketau. Something unpronounceable, but you will not have any problem if you also call it Jellyfish Lake. It became popular because in this place you could dress in your diving equipment and descend along its 14 meters of depth.. But beware, there are corners that reach 30 meters, where there is no longer any life, and where only high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide were found. Very dangerous!
That was perhaps one of the most attractive points of the landscape. Immerse yourself in those waters and see with your own eyes the subtle movement of these peculiar beings, which seem to be made of rubber. The jellyfish stings they were not a concern for adventurous scuba divers.
In fact, what is striking is that this lake is inhabited by golden jellyfish. It is a unique subspecies, the Mastigias papua etpisoni, that is only found in this part of the world and that they have such a small sting that their sting is painless and imperceptible.
The fact that they were harmless attracted hundreds of visitors, who raved to dive into the waters of the jellyfish lake. And it is that, the movement of the creatures, the multiplicity of colors and the way in which they varied with the rays of the sun, was an undoubtedly memorable experience. Now it is not possible to dive in its waters, but that does not mean that the fun has been lost. It remains an extraordinary place, very interesting to discover.
How is the jellyfish lake in Palau currently?
As we told you, at one time the jellyfish lake in Palau had about 30 million specimens of this curious animal. But in 2016 a severe drought occurred. This, added to the already harsh effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon, decimated the population of the exotic golden jellyfish. In 2005, this lake, which is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, reached 30 million as its historical maximum in jellyfish population. Just two years later, in 2007, this number had fallen to 5 million.
In 2016 the situation worsened, to the point that Palau’s jellyfish lake was almost emptied of its rare inhabitant. There were many factors that influenced this. Drought and weather events were key. Also global warming, which generated an increase in water temperature, and with it the death of many jellyfish that failed to adapt. And finally, and not surprisingly, human action. People who went diving in the jellyfish lake usually wore sunscreen on their bodies. The chemicals from these products remained in the water, affecting health and causing the death of many jellyfish.
Fortunately, Palau’s jellyfish lake population has been recovering, and the site remains open to the public. That if, with certain modifications in terms of its rules. In the first place, diving is no longer allowed in its waters, but it is possible to swim superficially, being accompanied by a specialized guide. Visitors must also empty all sand from their shoes and pockets before entering the lake. Of course, the use of sunscreens is prohibited. Those who visit this paradisiacal place must sign an ecological certificate, which is required by the authorities.
And you, Did you know about the existence of the jellyfish lake in Palau? Would you dare to dive and swim with these peculiar creatures? Dare to leave us all your opinions in the comments. We will be happy to read you! And if you are, like us, a lover of curiosities of nature, do not miss the article in which we tell you about the fearsome lakes that explode. We have a super curious next topic!