Visit Micronesia: plan a trip between Chuuk, Pohnpei and Yap

Four states, more than 600 islands and vast stretches of ocean: the Federated States of Micronesia suit wreck divers and curious travellers ready to follow the rhythm of the Island Hopper flight to discover very different island cultures.

What should you know about the Federated States of Micronesia?

The Federated States of Micronesia group together Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae, spread over nearly 2,700 kilometres from west to east across northern Oceania. The country is best known for Chuuk Lagoon and its Japanese wrecks from 1944, and for Nan Madol, Pohnpei's basalt city inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2016.

What to discover in Micronesia?

Pohnpei, the capital island

A high and very rainy island, Pohnpei is home to the federal capital, Palikir, and the main town, Kolonia. Its dense forest hides many waterfalls, such as Kepirohi, about twenty minutes' walk away, while the outer reef offers waves well known among surfers. Nan Madol is best visited at high tide by boat, or on foot with a guide. Allow three to four nights to enjoy the island.

Chuuk, the wreck lagoon

In February 1944, Operation Hailstone sank dozens of Japanese ships in Chuuk Lagoon, now one of the largest concentrations of accessible wrecks in the world. Dives leave from Weno, the main island, or from liveaboard boats, on freighters still loaded with trucks, aircraft parts and ammunition. Plan at least five days of diving, and advanced certification for the deepest wrecks.

Yap, stone money and manta rays

The country's most traditional state keeps its rai, stone discs still used in customary exchanges, and its stone paths between villages. Manta rays live year-round in the Mi'l and Goofnuw channels. Yap Day, in early March, brings together village dances and chants. On the ground, always ask permission before entering a village or taking photos, and allow three to four nights.

Kosrae, the quietest island

At the eastern end of the country, Kosrae is a little-visited mountainous island covered in forest and ringed by mangroves. Visitors come for the Lelu ruins, the hike up Mount Finkol and diving on reefs in excellent condition. Two to three nights are enough, planned around the Island Hopper flight days, a route that also links Kosrae to the Marshall Islands to the east.

Cities to visit in Micronésie

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Not to miss in Micronesia

Four sites, each one summing up a state of the country.

Nan Madol

A complex of nearly a hundred artificial islets built of basalt blocks off Pohnpei, a former political and religious centre listed by UNESCO.

Fujikawa Maru

A Japanese freighter sitting upright in Chuuk Lagoon, whose holds still contain aircraft parts and relics of the Pacific War.

Stone money banks

Rows of giant stone discs in front of Yap's community houses, valued for their history rather than their size.

Lelu ruins

Basalt walls of an ancient royal city on Lelu islet, Kosrae, overgrown with vegetation and visited on foot.

Frequently asked questions

Can you dive the Chuuk wrecks without much experience?
Some wrecks lie between 10 and 20 metres and suit intermediate divers. The most famous ones are deeper, and penetration inside the holds requires specific training. Dive centres in Weno tailor the programme to each diver's level.
How do you visit Nan Madol on Pohnpei?
You go by boat at high tide from Kolonia, or on foot at low tide along a trail and a wade across the channel, with a local guide. An entry fee is collected by the customary landowners. Allow half a day and wear sturdy shoes.
How do you combine several states of Micronesia?
The Island Hopper flight links Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae to Guam and Honolulu a few times a week. Yap is reached separately via Guam or Palau. Build your itinerary around the flight days and keep a buffer, as delays are common.
Is Yap's stone money still used?
Yes, rai are still exchanged in customary transactions, marriages or reconciliations between families, even though the US dollar is the everyday currency. Ownership passes without moving the stone, simply through collective recognition.
When can you see manta rays in Yap?
All year round, as a resident population lives around the island. From roughly December to April they mostly frequent Mi'l Channel, then Goofnuw Channel the rest of the year, so sightings are possible in every season.
Is Weno, in Chuuk, a safe base?
Most stays go smoothly, but petty crime exists and alcohol can sometimes cause trouble in the evening. Avoid walking alone at night, stay in a hotel linked to a dive centre and follow the team's advice.

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