Palau is an island nation (an archipelago of 343 islands) in the Pacific Ocean and one of the world’s youngest and smallest sovereign states, located 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles (3,200 km) south of Tokyo. It is considered as one of the most extraordinary diving spots throughout the world. Palau is famous in its rich marine life and coral formations, white beaches and its “Rock Islands”.