Best value to Jellyfish Lake ?

I found it is pricey to arrange a day trip to Jellyfish Lake,cost around US$95 up to US$120 pp excluding permit.
Can anyone recommend cheaper option ?
We are a family of 2 adults with 2 young kids ( 3 & 7 years old )
Thanks

Are you sure your 3-year old will be comfortable at Jellyfish Lake? First you have to climb up and down steep slippery limestone steps to get to the lake (and adults will need one hand free to hang onto the rope, so carrying him/her would be difficult). Second, the lake is very deep--will she be okay going in the water?

The only thing cheaper that I can think of is to call up the diving outfitters and see if you can go as a snorkeler with a dive boat that is making the Jellyfish Lake excursion. But that would be a long day for the kids.

ETA: If/when you do go, please don't wear sunblock as it contaminates the lake. Many tourists aren't aware of this.

We were invited to join a private boat charter that two other couples had arranged(they stayed at the Landmark and may have had help from there). We visited Jellyfish Lake, as well as other snorkeling spots, for a day long trip. It still cost us US$175(fee extra) as a couple, but was cheaper than the dive companies. Lunch was included and the crew was the driver and snorkel guide(you will need a guide to visit Jellyfish Lake). You may be able to find something similar or connect with other tourists looking to do the trip. I concur with tilos about your younger child - it may be a challenge for a 3 year old - also it could be a fairly long swim to find the jellyfish as they follow the sun and are not dispersed all over the lake - they hang together. One of the regulars here -5waldos- used to live there and may be able to help you connect with someone who could set up a private boat trip. Unfortunately, water activities on Palau are quite expensive. Once we realized that, we decided to cut corners in other areas so we could have the funds to do all the snorkeling/kayaking that we were interested in. We may never get back that way(come on lotto) so we decided to go for everything we could! Hope this helps!

so we will need to pass thru muddy jungle to reach Jellyfish Lake ?
any other easiler way to reach the lake like taking boat directly ?

You will need to go by boat to the island that holds Jellyfish Lake. Once you dock you have to show your permits and then you hike into the lake - it goes uphill (rope aided) for awhile and then downhill to the lake. If you have not already done so, have a look at the visit-Palau web site - they have a list of all the companies that offer tours to Jellyfish Lake - you may be able to find a tour that will be more affordable for you.

Linkoying, the lake has no outlet to the ocean. So to get to it, you have to hike up and down the slippery limestone rocks. Plus you'll be carrying your snorkel gear, making things a bit trickier. Unfortunately, lakes stuffed with really cool jellyfish feel no need to make themselves more convenient to us tourists :).

Hi0 agree with everything- although we took our kid there when he was 3. Closer to 2 or closer to 4? some kids are quite uncomfortable being surrounded by jelly fish- others think it is great. It is definately worth seeing!

Kids sometimes get to tag along on snorkeling trips for a very reduced rate. Many of the trips go to clam city (giant clams you can see with snorkelis) and to one of several small islands where you could spend time while people are diving. You might want to contact Sam's to see what you could arrange. It might be that one adult could go into the lake while the other took care of the 3 r old. and then switch You might consider finding a boogie board with a clear window unless your youngest is really comfortable int he water.

Feel free to PM me if I can help- I had my 3 kids there (0-9 when we left) and may be able to offer some suggestions.

Edited by: 5Waldos

May be able to suggest a babysitter for you to go along and help but not sure.