beaches – Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Guide

Penieu Island

Penieu is a gorgeous reef island in the southeast next to Kepidauen Ne (pass). The island is a major rookery for a colony of noddies and other seabirds, which fill the air with raucous clamor as they swoop around the trees. The primary nesting spot is within a strip of mangroves at the north end of the island (which we’ve dubbed “Noddy City”) and should be given a wide berth to avoid disturbing the habitat of the birds. The island also has a strange, curving sandbar around the north that forms a kind of protected, shallow lagoon with a sandy bottom. This is an excellent place for wading, swimming and playing if you have your kids along, but keep an eye out for stingrays. There are also sandy beaches and good swimming and snorkeling on the west coasts. A pearl farming operation was in progress in the shallow lagoon areas nearby, and a few ramshackle huts were been built on the beach for that purpose (unfortunately, they’re untidy and don’t add much to the scenery). Currents can be quite strong around the eastern side of the island.

Camping is possible on Penieu, which is owned by the Nahnmwarki of Kitti. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to get him or a family representative on the phone. If you’re interested in visiting, contact the Kitti Municipal Government Office at +691.320.5038, 320.5808, 320.5049, or 320.3257 and ask for assistance.

“Emerged Last-Interglacial coral reef adjoining Penieu Island, off the south coast of high volcanic Pohnpei Island (background). Inset shows fossil coral in its growth position, demonstrating that this exposure is in situ (Photos: Patrick Nunn).” Click here *to read “O cei na Vulavula? Insights and Regrets of a Foreign Geoscientist in the Pacific Islands”.*

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Penieu Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on May 15, 2021May 15, 2021Posted in birding, camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern madolenihmw, surfing, swimming & picnickingTagged beaches, birding, camping, diving, fsm, island, lagoon, micronesia, oceania, pacific, paddling, penieu island, picnicking, pohnpei, ponape, snorkeling, surfing, swimming

Ros Island

Ros is another beautiful uninhabited reef island in the south. The long, skinny island seems to be slowly disappearing as it erodes, but there are huge areas of wonderful sand on the west side to lounge about on and a narrow belt of trees. It’s mostly notable as a destination for paddlers, taking a break from exploring mangrove forests nearby, or SCUBA enthusiasts, resting between dives (Kepidauen Ros is one of two locations on Pohnpei famous for manta rays). There is good swimming and snorkeling a few kicks from the island.

For permission to visit or camp on the island, call +691.320.5896 or the Kitti Municipal Government Office at +691.320.5038, 320.5808, 320.5049, or 320.3257.

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Ros Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on April 14, 2021May 15, 2021Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern kitti, swimming & picnickingTagged beaches, camping, diving, fsm, island, islands, kitti, lagoon, micronesia, oceania, pacific, paddling, pohnpei, ponape, ros island, snorkeling, swimming

Nahlap Island

Nahlap remains one of Pohnpei’s most accessible and popular lagoon getaways, but visitors should be aware of the facilities and island conditions.

Many of the huts have basic amenities, but water access varies. Some huts, including the nahs (traditional meeting houses), currently have limited water systems. Toilets in the nahs are bucket-flush only, and there is no shower water available at those locations. Showers are available at some of the other huts, where water tanks are still functional. The larger green and blue huts appear to be the most maintained, with the blue hut offering the best bathroom facilities (still bucket-flush, but with a larger tank).

The boat service to Nahlap is typical of local lagoon transport — reliable enough but basic, without luxury features and not always the most comfortable ride. Travelers looking for a faster or more comfortable experience might consider working with a tour company or arranging a private charter.

Currently, major reinvestment in the property appears limited. However, Nahlap’s natural beauty still offers plenty for visitors to enjoy. The north end of the island, beyond the small church, feels particularly untouched and peaceful, with dense tropical plant life and mature trees providing shade and a true sense of isolation.

Key Points for Visitors:

• Bring extra drinking water and be prepared for limited freshwater availability.

• Facilities are basic: bucket-flush toilets, limited or no shower water in some huts.

• Boat transport is local-standard; tour companies or private charters may offer alternatives.

• Best suited for travelers seeking a rustic, nature-focused island experience.

Getting there:

Launch at Sekeren Iap in Rohnkitti (~21 km southwest of Kolonia). Continue past the Henry Nanpei Memorial and Rohnkitti Church to the end of the road.

Reservations and Boat Arrangements:

To make reservations or arrange for a boat taxi from Sekeren Iap in Rohnkitti, call +691 925 9797

Or contact the Kitti Municipal Government Office: (+691)320-5038 / 320-5808 / 320-5049 / 320-3257

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Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Nahlap Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on April 14, 2021April 27, 2025Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern kitti, surfing, swimming & picnickingTagged beaches, camping, diving, fsm, island, islands, kitti, lagoon, micronesia, nahlap island, oceania, pacific, paddling, picnicking, pohnpei, ponape, snorkeling, surfing, swimming

Dekehtik Island (Sand Island)

Dekehtik, which means “small island”, also called Sand Island is an uninhabited coral islet west of Na, of which it was once a part (not be confused with the island of the same name on which the airport is located). The north coast is most suitable for camping with some sandy beaches at low tide and stunningly clear water for swimming and ogling the many stingrays in the area. There are huts on the island for people to stay in while on the island. The island is currently owned by the Adams family (the proprietors of Ace Hardware and Ace Office Supply). The best snorkeling is northwest of the island along the edge of the deep, blue hole of Pahn Nahkapw. The island itself is characterized by thickets of shrubby vegetation and coconut palms. Sandy beaches form on the north coast at low tide.

To make reservations for day visits or night stays and to arrange boat transport call ACE at +691.320.8279 / 5637.

Dekehtik in the foreground, Na Island in the background (PC: Lee Arkhie Perez)
Deketihk Island with Nahkapw Island in the background. (PC: Lee Arkhie Perez)
Sunrise on Dekehtik
Looking out towards Nahkapw island.

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Dekehtik Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on April 14, 2021July 31, 2021Posted in camping, islands, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming & picnicking, temwen vicinityTagged beaches, camping, dekehtik island, fsm, island, lagoon, micronesia, oceania, pacific, paddling, picnicking, pohnpei, ponape, snorkeling, swimming

Kehpara Island

Though not as developed as Black Coral the small thatched huts are adequate for camping trips, the island is equally as shady and much larger than Black Coral, and it actually offers easier access to the excellent snorkeling around Kehpara Pass. It’s cheaper, too. At low tide, there’s a beautiful sandy beach between the two islands. The island has solar lights set up around the island to provide some light at night however we recommend bringing along a lantern and some flashlights to help illuminate inside the huts since they are not rigged with lights.

To make reservations for day visits or overnight stays and arrange for boat pick-up from the launch behind Seinwar Elementary School, call Nickson Abraham (Oaun Kitti) at +691.925.5340 / +691.920.8081 or the Kitti Municipal Government Office at +691.320.5038, 320.5808, 320.5049, or 320.3257.

Black Coral (top island) and Kehpara (bottom island)
Channel between Black Coral and Kehpara

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Kehpara Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on April 14, 2021May 5, 2021Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern kitti, swimming & picnickingTagged beaches, camping, diving, fsm, island, islands, kehpara island, lagoon, marine sanctuaries, micronesia, oceania, pacific, paddling, picnicking, pohnpei, ponape, snorkeling, swimming

Dekehmwahu Island

Uninhabited little Dekehmwahu (“good island”) is located just east of Nahpali in Madolenihmw Municipality. It’s a rough oval with a couple of small, sandy beaches and a few places to pitch a tent. The best beach is at the northwestern end, while the most practical camp site is on the southeast coast. Mangroves skirt most of the western coast. With a few exceptions, the surrounding ocean is shallow and covered with beds of seagrass, but good snorkeling can be found not far to the south at the Namwen Na Stingray Sanctuary (a short swim away). Surrounding shallow reefs make the island difficult to reach by boat, except at the highest tides, but it’s a great place for kayakers to visit. Currents can be extremely strong in the area at certain times.

To obtain permission for overnight stays, call McKenzie Senda at +691.320.8682 / 7147 / 4062.

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Dekehmwahu Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on December 3, 2013May 14, 2021Posted in camping, central madolenihmw, islands, paddling, snorkeling, swimming & picnicking, temwen vicinityTagged beaches, camping, dekehmwahu island, fsm, island, lagoon, micronesia, oceania, pacific, paddling, picnicking, pohnpei, ponape, snorkeling, swimming