LAKE

Welcome to Jellyfish Lake: a paradise in the Pacific where you can swim with jellyfish

Would you pay to experience something unique in the world? If the answer is yes, then we recommend a visit to Jellyfish Lake, a salt lake located on the island of Eil Malk, in the island state of Palau, Micronesia, in which it is possible to swim among jellyfish.

This salt lake, about 500 meters long, is a special closed ecosystem in which jellyfish have lost most of their stinging properties, and it is therefore possible to have an incredible experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

There are about 600,000 jellyfish within the lake, living in perfect symbiosis with their surroundings. A perfect destination for tourists as well as photographers and naturalists, it is an absolutely unmissable and almost magical sight because of the way these creatures have evolved.

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Welcome to Jellyfish Lake: a paradise in the Pacific where you can swim with jellyfish
Would you pay to experience something unique in the world? If the answer is yes, then we recommend a visit to Jellyfish Lake, a salt lake located on the island of Eil Malk, in the island state of Palau, Micronesia, in which it is possible to swim among jellyfish. This salt lake, about 500 meters long, is a special closed ecosystem in which the jellyfish have lost most of their stinging properties, and it is therefore possible to have an incredible experience that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. There are about 600,000 jellyfish inside the lake, living in perfect symbiosis with their surroundings. A perfect destination for tourists as well as photographers and naturalists, it is an absolutely unmissable and almost magical sight because of the way these creatures have evolved.
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Jellyfish Lake Is in the middle of the Pacific, towards the Philippines
This magnificent salt lake is located on the island of Eil Malk, in the island state of Palau, in the Pacific Ocean. South of Palau, Eil Malk it is part of Rock Islands, a group of small, mostly uninhabited, rocky islands in the southern lagoon of Palau, between Koror and Peleliu. There are about 70 other marine lakes located throughout Rock Islands. The lake represents a closed system, and although it has channels connecting it to the sea, it manages to remain isolated enough not to be affected.
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A 12,000-year-old salt lake
This lake was formed about 12,000 years ago when the sea receded from the island, leaving some jellyfish trapped inside. These, instead of dying out, reproduced until they populated the entire lake. It is estimated that until a few decades ago there were even more than eight million specimens within the lake. Currently, however, after a very difficult period also due to damage caused by "El Nino", there are about 600,000 specimens, which have adapted perfectly with the environment. This lake is about 500 meters long.
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An evolution in symbiosis with the environment
This ecosystem is specific and very unique. The lake provides acceptable conditions for life only within the first 15 meters of depth, where the presence of oxygen is significant. Below that, high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are present. So, these jellyfish have adapted to living in a place with very little oxygen. In addition, the lack of predators for thousands of years has caused these species to lose their stinging ability and become harmless. Moreover, they live in perfect balance with their environment. In fact, every day these jellyfish migrate to leave light for the algae that live on the bottom.
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A dive for a fee
Visiting this island, for only around $100, you can dive in and take a dip in this natural paradise, for an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. There is no danger of getting stung, these jellyfish are harmless, and it is also a paradise for photographers and videomakers. In addition, the spectacle of jellyfish migration from one side of the lake to the other is also clearly visible through the pathways around the lake, providing an unforgettable sight for many.
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There are two types of jellyfish in this lake
There are two species of jellyfish that inhabit this place: the "golden" (species Mastigias) and of the "moon" (Aurelia Aurita). In addition, researchers at Coral Reef Research Foundation have calculated that in the last period the jellyfish population, believed to be about 600,00, is definitely and very rapidly returning to previous levels. In addition to jellyfish, other aquatic species live in the lake, but none of them will leave you with a memory like these wonderful jellyfish.
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The recovery of tourism in recent years
In recent years there has been great concern that climate change could seriously endanger this, that is for all intents and purposes one of the world's last remaining natural havens. In fact, many tourists had been disappointed in the past by not finding jellyfish in the lake, due to many factors. At the moment, however, many more people are sending photos and videos testifying to the return of these jellyfish in large numbers. In short, such an experience is priceless, and definitely worth it to experience something incredible.
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