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.
- Paranuii Website
- +691.320.2909 / 8085
- bestbuy@mail.fm
Picture Credit: Tia Panuelo and Lee Arkhie Perez