Natural and man-made wonders get together to create a place with unique attractions, yet this island seems to be overlooked by the radar of South Seas tourism. A big, wild, volcanic island lays in front of you and waits for you to explore it, so that you can discover the breathtaking treasures it hides. Pohnpei is the largest of the group of islands that make up the Federal States of Micronesia, so pack your things up and get ready to live a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
This island gets more rain than any other place in the planet, but those waters nourish an emerald-green nirvana with more than 40 rivers and streams, and various waterfalls that droop into cool, blurred, pristine swimming holes.
Pohnpei is better explored on hiking trails because this island is roadless, still, you will get to enjoy its tropical forests and ridges that lead to the nation’s highest volcanic peaks. Also, this place is known for its biodiversity, therefore local forests are a haven for several bird species found only in this island, like the Pohnpei lorikeet and the Pohnpei fantail, and there’s a wraparound lagoon that it’s worth visiting because it’s one of the region’s purest waters.
When to go?
Throughout the year this place is relatively hot, wet, and humid with temperatures ranging around 80ºF or 27ºC. For surfers, the best season is from October to April, when huge breakers roll in from the north Pacific. Also, Pohnpei’s coastline is great for doing diving and fishing.
How to find it?
Continental Micronesia airlines arrive in Pohnpei on its aerial “bus route” between Honolulu and Guam. It takes around 10 to 11 hours flying in order to reach the island.
Planning
The best place to stay in this island is the Village Resort Hotel, which is a family-run establishment with thatched-roof bungalows beneath coconut palms overlooking the Pohnpei lagoon. Also, there are some restaurants and bars on the island that you can visit. If you’re planning to do a lot of walking on the interior of the island, we highly recommend you to pack a light coat and waterproof shoes.
If you have time and you want to get involved in another adventure, then you should definitely take a 45-minute boat trip from Pohnpei’s main town, Kolonia. This boat takes you to Nan Madol, a breathtaking lagoon city where you can see stone palaces and temples connected by canals instead of roads, making it look like Venice but in the Pacific.
Websites
- www.visit-fsm.org/pohnpei
- www.continental.com
- www.thevillagehotel.com
If you loved this article or found it useful, don’t forget to share it with your adventurous and travel-hacking friends! If you want more post like this, follow us on Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter!