PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup

View on map
Sports & AdventureKoror/Palau waters
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration2 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe derby carries genuine institutional
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup in Koror/Palau waters

The PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup is Palau's premier sportfishing tournament, organized by the Palau Sports Fishing Association since 1991. Established as the Etpison Cup in 2007 in honor of former Palau president Ngiratkel Etpison, the 2026 edition ran May 2-3 with categories for billfish, tuna and other species drawing competitors across Koror's waters.

Each May, boats gather in Koror's waters for what has become Palau's most prestigious sportfishing competition, a two-day derby organized by the Palau Sports Fishing Association, the country's first sportfishing organization, incorporated back in 1991.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The derby carries genuine institutional weight as Palau's first sportfishing organization, founded in 1991, and its headline Etpison Cup honors a specific figure in national history: Ngiratkel Etpison, Palau's fourth president, memorialized by his son Shallum Etpison, who became PSFA president in 2007 and established the cup

02

The mystery stays covered

That presidential lineage gives the tournament a civic significance beyond ordinary sportfishing competition

03

The city starts moving

The derby's seven categories, Yellow Fin, Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Barracuda Spanish, Ladies Bottom, GT-Catch N'Release and JR Angler, deliberately span species and demographics, including dedicated categories for women and junior anglers rather than treating the tournament as open only to experienced offshore crews

04

The water draws everyone in

Results carry real weight too: the 2026 edition saw Team Rookie, skippered by Skeras Etpison, land a 308

05

The old stones answer

pound billfish to win the grand prize

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

As Palau's oldest sportfishing organization

Water and renewal

Living ritual

founded in 1991

The sacred route

Living ritual

PSFA's annual derby carries the weight of institutional continuity

The local code

Living ritual

and the Etpison Cup specifically ties the tournament to the memory of a former Palauan president

Tradition 5

Living ritual

reflecting a tradition of honoring national figures through sporting competitions

Tradition 6

Living ritual

The seven-category structure

Tradition 7

Living ritual

spanning species and including dedicated women's and junior divisions

Tradition 8

Living ritual

reflects a deliberate tradition of broad community inclusion rather than restricting the derby to elite offshore competitors alone

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Koror/Palau waters to work differently.

What to wear

Practical offshore fishing attire: quick-dry clothing, a wide-brim hat, polarized sunglasses and closed-toe deck shoes suited to a day or two on a fishing boat under strong tropical sun.

Safety

For PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup, choose safe viewing points, watch weather and leave extra time around starts, finishes or releases.

Where to stay

Choose lodging near the exact city, venue or route you plan to use most, not the broad regional listing.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map7.34 N, 134.47 EOpen in Google Maps

Koror/Palau waters, Palau, Palau

Nearest airportROR — Roman Tmetuchl
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Koror/Palau waters to work differently.
Stay areaChoose lodging near the exact city, venue or route you plan to use most, not the broad regional listing.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Koror/Palau waters via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Koror/Palau waters, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearPractical offshore fishing attire: quick-dry clothing, a wide-brim hat, polarized sunglasses and closed-toe deck shoes suited to a day or two on a fishing boat under strong tropical sun.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Palau and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup?

PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup is listed for Past edition: 2–3 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does PSFA Annual Fishing Derby featuring the Etpison Cup take place?

The festival is listed in Koror/Palau waters, Palau. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Koror/Palau waters, Palau, Palau

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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