Pohnpei

Ancient Stones and Living Culture

Rising from a shallow lagoon on Pohnpei's eastern shore, Nan Madol is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the Pacific: a ceremonial city built on nearly a hundred artificial islets, its basalt walls still standing after a thousand years. Alongside these ancient ruins, Pohnpeian culture thrives in the form of the sakau ceremony, chiefly traditions and vibrant local markets.

Jungles, Waterfalls and Coral Reefs

Pohnpei rewards adventurous travellers with trails to spectacular waterfalls deep in the interior, kayaking through mangrove channels, and some of the Pacific's finest diving along barrier reefs rich with sharks, rays and rainbow-coloured reef fish. Surfers seek out the powerful breaks off the outer atolls, while kayakers and anglers enjoy the calm waters of the expansive lagoon.

Getting to and Around Pohnpei

United Airlines connects Pohnpei to Guam and Honolulu on the Island Hopper route, making it accessible from both the US mainland and the wider Pacific. On the ground, taxis are the easiest way around Kolonia, while car hire opens up the rest of the island's coastal road and the trails leading into the rainforest interior.