Four hundred and forty-five uninhabited karst islands undercut into mushroom shapes, with hidden marine lakes, WWII Zero and…Four hundred and forty-five uninhabited karst islands undercut into mushroom shapes, with hidden marine lakes, WWII Zero and seaplane wrecks in the shallows, the Milky Way lagoon of white calcareous mud, and Blue Corner and German Channel minutes away. Palau packs more into one lagoon than most countries manage in a coastline. UNESCO World Heritage since 2012 for both nature and culture, the islands hold abandoned villages, rock art and burial caves from a population that lived here for 3,000 years and left around 1600. Palau created the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009 and closed 80% of its EEZ to fishing in 2015. Anchorage: A maze of 445 mushroom-shaped limestone islands offering shelter in any weather, one of the finest natural cruising grounds on earth. Permits required; anchoring restricted in coral. Hazards: Permits required; anchoring restricted in coral. Mehr