Palau is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is known for its pristine landscapes, marine lakes, and rich biodiversity. Palau’s culture and history are also quite intriguing.
In this article, we have compiled 36 riddles about Palau along with their answers. Some riddles focus on Palau’s geography and wildlife, while others highlight unique aspects of Palauan culture and people. The riddles vary in difficulty – some quite easy to solve and others more challenging.
We hope these riddles encourage you to learn more about the fascinating country of Palau. See how many you can get right!
Geographic riddles
Riddle 1
I’m an unusual body of water, enclosed by land but connected to the ocean through fissures and tunnels. Unique marine creatures inhabit my waters. What am I?
Answer: A marine lake in Palau, like Jellyfish Lake or Clear Lake.
Riddle 2
I’m an archipelago country made up of over 300 islands. Only 9 of the islands are permanently inhabited though. What country am I?
Answer: Palau
Riddle 3
I’m a grassy wetland, an important stop for migratory birds in Palau. Many unique Palauan birds can be spotted amongst my lands. What am I?
Answer: Ngerdorch River Watershed Conservation Area
Riddle 4
My name translates to “house of the gods.” I’m one of Palau’s most famous dive sites, known for my vertical walls and clear waters. What dive site am I?
Answer: Blue Corner dive site
Riddle 5
I’m a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palau, featuring ancient stepped terraces, taro fields, stone monoliths, and villages. What am I?
Answer: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
Culture & History Riddles
Riddle 6
One of the world’s first nuclear-free constitutions drafted in 1979. What constitution am I?
Answer: Constitution of Palau
Riddle 7
Many Palauans chew me for my energizing and mood enhancing effects. I’m derived from pepper plants. What am I?
Answer: Betel nut
Riddle 8
I’m a traditional Palauan sport similar to some wrestling styles. Two men wearing belts try to throw each other to the ground. What am I?
Answer: Chelucheluche (Palauan wrestling)
Riddle 9
Palauans construct me as burial vaults for their dead chiefs and people of prestige. I’m made of stone platforms and square huts topped with thatched gabled roofs. What am I?
Answer: Bai (Palauan chief meeting house)
Riddle 10
Legend says I’m named after a girl who died from a broken heart. Her tears of joy upon reuniting with her lover transformed into sparkling droplets, giving me my name. What famous tourist attraction in Palau am I?
Answer: Milky Way waterfall
Wildlife Riddles
Riddle 11
I’m the official national bird of Palau. You can spot me by my bright red feathers. I use my curved bill to reach fruit and insects. What type of bird am I?
Answer: Scarlet honeyeater
Riddle 12
We’re the largest fish in the ocean and one of the main attractions for divers in Palau. Our spots and stripes make us look unique. Who are we?
Answer: Whale sharks
Riddle 13
I’m the world’s largest saltwater crocodile. Tour companies in Palau occasionally hand feed us meat attached to long poles. Who am I?
Answer: Estuarine crocodile
Riddle 14
We’re creepy looking creatures, similar to spiders and crabs. We’re abundant in Jellyfish Lake and have a symbiotic relationship with jellyfish there. What animal are we?
Answer: Anemone shrimp (Periclimenes imperator)
Riddle 15
I’m the largest jellyfish in the world growing over 2 meters long. I live near the bottom of Jellyfish Lake and am shaped like a thick riding crop. Who am I?
Answer: Golden jellyfish
People & Language Riddles
Riddle 16
Two of us were from prominent Palauan families. We led non-violent campaigns for nuclear disarmament and independence from the United States. Who are we?
Answer: Roman Tmetuchl and Lazarus Salii
Riddle 17
This Palauan entrepreneur and conservationist spearheaded ecotourism efforts in Palau. He turned Rock Islands into a kayak and scuba diving destination. Who is he?
Answer: Ngirakel Etpison
Riddle 18
I’m the official language of Palau with roots in Malayo-Polynesian languages. English and Palauan are taught in schools. What language am I?
Answer: Palauan
Riddle 19
We make up over 60% of Palau’s population but originally immigrated from other Pacific islands like the Philippines, China, Bangladesh and the USA. Who are we?
Answer: Expatriates/foreign workers
Riddle 20
Palauans refer to those from the USA as this, since America administered Palau for decades. It translates to “those who helped us.” What do they call Americans?
Answer: Omeches ra Remesich (People who help us)
Fun & Miscellaneous Riddles
Riddle 21
Many of us Palauans enjoy this pastime of trying to maneuver a flipping, spinning top for as long as possible using strings attached to handles. What hobby are we referring to?
Answer: Reng (Palauan spinning tops)
Riddle 22
We celebrate youth and culture through dance, music, food, arts, and sports. Hundreds of Palauans from different states come together for this event. What 2 week long festival is this?
Answer: Belau Games and Fine Arts Festival
Riddle 23
A popular food in Palau, I’m made of taro leaves wrapped around minced fish and coconut milk, then cooked over an open fire. What dish am I?
Answer: Demok (Palauan taro leaf roll)
Riddle 24
One of the most popular tourist souvenirs in Palau, I’m a colorful storyboard depicting tales of Palauan gods, culture, and history. What traditional art form am I?
Answer: Palauan storyboard
Riddle 25
We’re giant ancient stone money discs quarried from Palau’s Rock Islands. Local legend says their size and craftsmanship displayed one’s wealth. What traditional form of currency are we?
Answer: Rai stones
Riddle 26
This popular Palauan fruit is oval shaped with a thick green skin and sweet white flesh. It’s rich in vitamin C and cooked into jams and desserts. What fruit am I?
Answer: Bilimbi fruit
Riddle 27
One of Palau’s most iconic dive sites, I feature unique salt and freshwater crocodiles in peaceful coexistence. Divers can get close without fear of attack. Where am I?
Answer: Crocodile Junction
Riddle 28
This Palauan island is shaped like a hook with one side facing fierce ocean waves while the other side is calm and pristine. The island boasts fruit bats, endemic birds, and WWII relics. Which island is this?
Answer: Peleliu Island
Riddle 29
We originated in India but are now abundant across Palau. Some call us giant hermits or robber crabs for our size and ability to pilfer food. What type of creature are we?
Answer: Coconut crabs
Riddle 30
This popular tourist destination in Palau features otherworldly landscapes full of vibrant colours, bizarre rock formations and hills shaped like mushrooms. Where is this magical place?
Answer: Ngerdorch River Conservation Area
Riddle 31
Palauans refer to these as “Strong Current Islands” since the area features whirlpools and unpredictable currents. It was historically used to execute criminals. What set of islands is this?
Answer: Ulong Islands
Riddle 32
We’re tiny translucent creatures that create dazzling underwater displays in Palau. When disturbed, we emit flashes of bright blue light from our bell-shaped bodies. What organism are we?
Answer: Sea fireflies (dinoflagellate cysts)
Riddle 33
I’m a tribe in Palau with connections to the spirit world. Our men would traditionally dress up in costumes and masks to scare women and children. What tribe are we?
Answer: Tebecher ra Beklau (Palauan goblin tribe)
Palau in Pop Culture Riddles
Riddle 34
Several crucial scenes in this 1994 blockbuster movie were filmed around Palau’s Rock Islands and blue waters. Name the film.
Answer: The Island of Dr. Moreau
Riddle 35
This 2010 reality competition aired 4 seasons in Palau. Contestants performed challenges to avoid elimination and a shot at winning the grand prize. What show was this?
Answer: Survivor Palau
Riddle 36
The Phillipine group TNT Boys performed this song as a tribute to Palau when they visited in 2019. The song’s title asks, “where is…” What song is this?
Answer: “Asa Ka Pa Laroy” (Where Are You My Love?)
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed solving these 36 riddles about the beautiful island country of Palau. Let us know in the comments how many riddles you were able to get right! Which riddle was your favorite or the most interesting to learn the answer to? Feel free to create and share your own riddles about Palau as well for others to solve.
