Incredipedia: Lakes

Located on an uninhabited rock island off the coast of Koror in Palau, Jellyfish Lake is one of 70 saltwater lakes on this South Pacific archipelago that were once connected to the ocean, but are now cut off. It is notable for the millions of golden jellyfish which migrate horizontally across the lake daily.
An attraction most can only dream of, this daring and unusual phenomena, Jellyfish Lake, departs radically from convention; for it is an enclosed body of water wherein - over the course of a millennia - resident jellyfish have completely lost their sting because they have not had to fight off predators. Instead, they spend their days in privileged leisure, pulsating gently from one side of the lake to the other while catching the sun's rays and farming their own food supply of algae.

Jellyfish Lake is connected to the ocean through fissures and tunnels in the limestone of ancient Miocene reef. However the lake is sufficiently isolated and the conditions are different enough that the diversity of species in the lake is greatly reduced from the nearby lagoon. The golden jellyfish, Mastigias cf. papua etpisoni, and possibly other species in the lake have evolved to be substantially different from their close relatives living in the nearby lagoons.

The millions of golden jellyfish that pack Palau’s Jellyfish Lake spend much of their lives on the move during a daily migration that follows the sun’s arc across the sky. Before sunrise, the jellies cluster along the saltwater lake’s western shore. Each morning around 6, when dawn brightens the eastern sky, they begin to swim toward the light. Pumping water through their bells, these jellyfish use a type of jet propulsion to follow the sunlight until they nearly reach the eastern shore—stopping just short of the shadows caused by lakeside trees.
Two species of scyphozoan jellyfish live in Jellyfish Lake, moon jellyfish and the golden jellyfish.

The golden jellyfish are most closely related to the spotted jellyfish that inhabit the nearby lagoons. They are similar to the spotted jellyfish in that they derive part of their nutrition from symbiotic algae (Zooxanthella) that live in their tissues and part of their nutrition from captured zooplankton.
The moon jellyfish were identified as Aurelia aurita by Hamner. Addition to the three species of Aurelia there are at least six other cryptic species in the Aurelia genus. Three of the cryptic species identified were from Palau. One of these cryptic species is common to four of Palau’s marine lakes with jellyfish populations including Jellyfish Lake.

Swimming in the lake is safe and permitted, but scuba diving is not as it may disturb the ecosystem. Also, you will want to stay away from the dangerous layer of hydrogen sulfide that hovers between 15 and 20 meters deep.

Here is some interesting sightseeing offers:

Jellyfish Lake is one of the truly unique and amazing wonders of the world. No visit to Palau is complete without a trip to Jellyfish Lake! Neco Marine is a 5 Star PADI award-winning National Geographic dive training facility. We offer daily dive tours, boat charters, fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling tours, as well as PADI courses and specialties. Come and experience Palau with our professional and experienced staff. All dive tours include lunch and water, and all trips are guided by one of our multilingual PADI instructors. Neco Marine features a large retail store, a specially designed dive training pool with showers and restrooms where you can relax after diving, and the popular Drop-off Bar and Grill where you can enjoy great burgers and fresh local fish. Free hotel transfers!
Website: http://www.necomarine.com

We offer an exciting full day of sightseeing, scenic cruises through the Rock islands, snorkeling, and exploring hidden marine lakes filled with fascinating natural wonders. A minimum of 4 passengers is required to ensure our Rock Island tour departures. We are happy to combine bookings to meet our required number of passengers. We also offer customized tours and departures for private charters and group bookings upon request.
Website: http://www.samstours.com
Contact: Sam Scott, Founder & President

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Discover why million people every year visit this pearl of world's natural heritage that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Experience a unique blend of continental and maritime Croatia on remarkable cascade lakes. Timeless beauty of waterfalls thrills in every season in a different way. The perfect picture nature has been creating for several millenniums, leaving everyone breathless.
Though it’s a trek from either Zagreb or Zadar, Some 300 sq. km of forested hills, dappled with 16 lakes and hundreds of waterfalls, Croatia’s oldest and largest national park is one of the country’s most spectacular sights. Experience the birth of a vivid rainbow while getting refreshed with the scattered drops of 78 meters high waterfall.
Take a walk on one of 18 kilometres marked trails in unspoiled countryside or relax while driving on electric boat or small train. Only 2 hours from Zagreb, do not miss the opportunity for unique experience that attract visitors from all over the globe.
On the way to Plitvice there is a small Millers village Rastoke usually called “Little Plitvice”. Rastoke is situated at the Slunjcica River estuary which over travertine barriers "dissolves" into the river Korana creating a series of small lakes and picturesque waterfalls. Experience this natural monument compared with famous Fontana di Trevi in 1860 by well known philologist and travel writer Adolf Veber Tkalcevic. Discover the rare symbiosis of fantastic natural creations and centuries old human technical achievements such as old mills from the 17th century.

Free shuttles drive around the lakes (3 per hr.), and a boat crosses Jezero Kozjak, the largest lake (2-3 per hr., 9:30am-6:30pm). At the main entrance, local women sell delicious strudels, bread-cakes stuffed with cheese, spinach, nuts, apples, peaches, or cherries (15kn). If you want to enjoy the peace of the lakes by yourself, go in the early morning or the late afternoon and avoid the shortest trails. Most tourists circulate around the four lower lakes (Donja Jezera) to get a shot of Plitvice’s famous 78m waterfall, Veliki Slap.
Buses run to: Rijeka (3hr., 1 per day, 120kn); Split (3hr., 7 per day, 150kn); Zadar (2hr., 6 per day, 72kn); Zagreb (2hr., 9 per day, 70kn). Most bus drivers let passengers off at the park’s main entrance. Tourist offices offer maps and exchange currency for a 1.5% commission at each of the three entrances. (☎023 751 026; www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr. Open daily 7am-10pm. Park open daily July-Aug. 7am-8pm; May-June 7am-7pm; Apr.-Oct. 110kn, students 55kn; Nov.-Mar. 70kn/40kn. Tour guide 700kn, min. 4hr. for groups only. MC/V.) To get to the main info center from the bus stop, walk toward the pedestrian overpass; crossing the road can be dangerous.

Caution! The takeover of Plitvice Lakes National Park by the Serbs in 1991 marked the beginning of Croatia’s bloody war for independence. Throughout the 1991-95 conflict, the Serbs holding the area planted landmines in the ground. Both the park’s premises and surrounding area have been officially cleared of mines, and the last mine-related accident dates back to 2002. However, do not stray from the trail for any reason.

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