If you happen to travel to this wonderful paradise of a country then one of the best things you can do is take the Joyride in Palau option. I will add though that this does not involve stealing a car, but rather taking a Cessna over the islands.
The kicker here though is that you can do with the plane door taken off. Now I know what you are thinking, is a plane door not rather necessary? Well apparently not with it all adding to the experience. For me personally though it almost made me shit my pants.
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WTF is the Joyride in Palau with Smile Air
Smile Air are the people who run this madness and they are basically a small local operator with a handful of Cessna aircraft that exist purely to terrify tourists while showing them the most beautiful views in Micronesia. They operate out of Roman Tmetuchl International Airport and their whole vibe is very Palau in that nothing looks fancy but everything works. You get a Cessna that looks like it should be parked in a museum, a pilot who looks like he has seen some things, and a flight experience that is equal parts fear and awe.
The journey lasts around forty to fifty minutes depending on weather and your exact route around the Rock Islands. You fly low enough to see every reef, every shape of the water, and every tiny uninhabited island that makes Palau famous. The best part is obviously the door coming off which gives you a clean shot for photos but also means your balls tighten every time the plane tilts. Despite the madness it feels controlled and the pilots know exactly what they are doing. It is raw, simple, and genuinely unforgettable.
Pricing list
Joyride short loop around Rock Islands: around 140 United States Dollars per person
Joyride extended route covering full barrier reef: around 200 United States Dollars per person
Private charter option: around 450 United States Dollars for the whole plane
How is it like?
For us we were picked up at 8 am from Palacia Hotel, a place I really like to go to the airport. At said airport you sign a disclaimer this is the USA after all and then get given the safety briefing. This largely was being given a safety belt which floats if you crash in the sea, as well as a good luck. You then go get on the plane, which looks like a car from the 90s and even has an ashtray. There are 4 seats, one of which is for the pilot, from where you then take off. This is a scary affair even if you are not next to the open window, with you doing a shaking Stevens just to get airborne. After that though my fear subsided and honestly it was pretty damned amazing.
And as for the open window, you could barely feel it which surprised me a bit although do not put a phone out of the window unless you want to lose it. To my surprise I have to add that it was legit one of the best things that I have ever done in Palau, itself an achievement on what is a truly amazing set of islands. Yes the landing was ropey, but hey you gotta roll with the punches if you want to take a plane without doors.
How to book the Joyride in Palau
The easiest option is their Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/smileairpalau.
They reply fast and will confirm the exact times and seats they have open. Just send them your preferred date and they will lock the slot for you.
If you prefer Instagram, they are also active there at
https://www.instagram.com/smileair.palau.
They post flight updates and you can book through direct message the same way.
Once they confirm the booking, they will tell you if they want prepayment or payment when you arrive. Both options are normal and depend on how busy they are that day. Nothing is complicated. It is Palau. You message them, they answer, and the booking is done.
Click to check our Palau Tours with YPT.