Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Guide

Dream Inside, Step Outside

Tag: diving

Laiap (Rainbow Island)

Laiap is an island located east of Nahlap Island on the southern end of Pohnpei. The island is owned by the Christian family and is another great picnic spot for those looking for an island to spend the weekend on. There is a two-story cement house on the island, the 2nd story is available for guests to stay in during day trip or overnight stays. The island has plenty of open space and is well shaded by trees. The island’s north side is where the nice swimming spot is, it starts of shallow and slopes deeper as you go further out. The surrounding reefs are great for snorkeling and paddling, however be aware of strong currents and undertows especially when swimming on the southern and eastern sides of the island.

Images taken by Lee Arkhie Perez.

  • To book a reservation for day trips and overnight stays, call Cliff Hotel at +691.320.5939/2415.

By Marlin Lee LingPosted on Posted in UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 Posted in birding, camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern madolenihmw, surfing, swimming & picnickingTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Na Island

Stingray near Na Island, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Na appears to be the largest island in Madolenihmw after Temwen, although it mostly consists of mangrove forests. In the mid-1830s, Na was home to a renegade Pohnpeian chief — the Wasai — who joined a group of foreign whalers in a fight against the Nahnmwarki of Madolenihmw and his brother, Nahnawa. The violent conflict ended with the murders of the Nahnmwarki and Nahnawa at the hands of the whalers, and the Wasai became the new Nahnmwarki (beginning a long cycle of violent power struggles in the district).

Currently Na is uninhabited. Though seagrass beds characterize the areas further out, there’s a beautiful swath of shallow, crystal clear water between them and the northern coastline. The bottom is sandy and a fantastic place to observe resident stingrays. The island itself is little more than a long, curving sandbar that has collected trees over its lifetime — mostly coconut palms. All the potential camp sites are on the northern coast as well as the beaches and best swimming. Snorkeling spots include Namwen Na Stingray Sanctuary to the north and the reef walls at the eastern edge of Pahn Nahkapw south of the island. The closest SCUBA diving is located on the reef wall around the eastern end of the island (boat access from outside the reef only). Divers usually begin there and drift on an in-coming tide along the wall as it curves west. Due to exposure to the prevailing winds, which cause heavy seas, the site is only an option during the middle of summer. 

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Na Island

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Nahkapw Island

Nahkapw is the island directly across from Nan Madol, and if you want to stay overnight and explore the ruins over a couple of days, this is the place to camp. The island is composed of coral rubble and thickly forested. Sandy beaches lie around the north and northeast coasts and there’s a nice protected, shallow place to swim on the west coast inside the boulder break-wall. The latter is believed to have been constructed during the Nan Madol Period or perhaps even before. Legends speak of two ancient stone cities that pre-dated Nan Madol; one of these is said to lie beneath or beyond Nahkapw. Some archaeologists have proposed that the island itself is man-made, but though much of the western and northern coastlines are surrounded by gigantic basalt boulders that are certainly not natural to the area, there doesn’t seem to be any columnar basalt around Nahkapw. The island has an irregular shape. The best swimming is off the north end, where the beach drops straight off into the deeps of Pahn Nahkapw — a huge “blue hole”. The snorkeling and SCUBA diving around the west edge of the reef wall (next to the boulder line) and to the northeast is excellent. 

  • To obtain permission for overnight stays, call Hentrick Etse at +691.320.8782.
  • Nan Madol on the right side of Nahkapw and Na Island on the left side of Nahkapw.

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Nahkapw Island

By Marlin Lee LingPosted on Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, swimming & picnicking, temwen vicinityTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mall Island

Mall is located just to the south of Nahnningi, and though it looks larger, about half of the island’s area is mangroves. The most interesting feature on Mall (also known as ‘Small Island’) is a prehistoric stone tomb located at the north end. According to oral history, the island was home to two brothers named Semen Pwei Tikitik and Semen Pwei Lapalap. Dissatisfied with the greed of the reigning Saudeleur, the brothers left Pohnpei and sailed for another land. Only the younger of the two survived the journey. Eventually, Semen Pwei Tikitik returned, armed with the knowledge he’d gathered during his travels. He went to Nan Madol and shared what he’d learned about the more egalitarian culture he’d visited. The Saudeleur, however, refused to see reason, so Semen Pwei Tikitik killed him. Unfortunately, the assassination did not end the dynasty and the dead Sau was soon replace by a new leader.

  • To obtain permission to visit, call William Hawley — the Rosa — at +691.320.2111 / 5050. Or contact the family run business, LP Gas, and inquire about visiting the island +691.320.5661 / 2675

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Mall Island

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Nahnningi Island (Para Nuii Island Resort)

Nahnningi is known by most as “Joy Island”. There used to be a popular camping operation there in the 1990s, but for many years the island was not open to tourists. Recently it has become available again, but even more developed and open for both locals and tourists. The island is now called Para Nuii and is home to one of Pohnpei’s best picnic spots. The appeal of the island has to do with the shallow sandy areas around it, which are great for swimming and stingray-watching (beaches form at low tide) as well as housing situation. Para Nuii has fully furnished bungalows that stretch our from the northern end of the island. It is definitely “higher class” than most housing situations on the other islands, however because of this it does come with a steeper price tag than the other lagoon islands. There’s good snorkeling and SCUBA diving to the northeast along the outer reef and at a small channel near Mall. The Namwen Nahnningi Stingray Sanctuary is also within a close distance of the island.

Most archaeologists agree that Nahnningi is man-made and was constructed during the Nan Madol Period (it’s square and has low columnar basalt walls around much of its coastline). Purchase the Temwen Vicinity Eco-Adventure Map Guide for detailed maps and additional info.

To book a reservation for Para Nuii contact One World Plaza’s office located on the 1st floor of One World Plaza building or via their website listed below. 

Picture Credit: Tia Panuelo and Lee Arkhie Perez

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Nahnningi Island

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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 Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern kitti, swimming & picnickingTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nahlap Island

Local kids swim near the Nahlap Island dock, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
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

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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 Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern kitti, swimming & picnickingTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Black Coral Island

“Black Coral” is the southernmost islet in the Namwmour chain of islands that straddles Kehpara Pass (Dauen Kehpara) on the southwest corner of Pohnpei’s barrier reef. It’s true name is said to be Kehpara, but hardly anyone calls it that. Instead, Kehpara is usually used to refer to the island on the opposite side of the pass (island on lower right side of top image). In the mid-1600s, the conquering hero, Isokelekel, first entered Pohnpei’s barrier reef through Kehpara Pass on his way from Ahnd Atoll to Nan Madol. The sandy and well-shaded coral island, which lies within the Kehpara Marine Protected Area (MPA), is currently owned by the Adams family (the proprietors of Ace Hardware and Ace Office Supply). Black Coral is immaculately maintained with serpentine footpaths running here and there through large sprawling trees and several simple, wooden huts for overnight camping. Good snorkeling is located off the eastern shore and in the pass to the north, where white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, and other marine wonders can often be seen. The best SCUBA diving is along the outer edge of the barrier reef north of the pass, a spot called Kehpara Wall. The area is a spawning ground for several varieties of protected grouper. Though some sandy areas appear at low tide along the inner coast, Black Coral doesn’t have any true beaches.

To make reservations for day visits or night stays and to arrange boat transport from the Seinwar Launch behind Seinwar Elementary School call ACE at +691.320.8279 / 5637. 

  • PC: Lee Arkhie Perez
  • Black Coral from above. (PC: Lee Arkhie Perez)
  • Black coral on the left, Kehpara on the right. (PC: Lee Arkhie Perez)
  • Black Coral (top island) and Kehpara (bottom island)
  • Channel between Black Coral and Kehpara
  • Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Black Coral Island

By pni-surfclubPosted on Posted in camping, islands, paddling, scuba diving, snorkeling, southern kitti, swimming & picnickingTagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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