Federated States of Micronesia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Federated States of Micronesia
These are the places worth your time in the Federated States of Micronesia, from the waterfalls and ruins of Pohnpei to the wrecks of Chuuk, the stone money villages of Yap and the quiet reefs of Kosrae. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Pohnpei
Nature and Outdoors
- Kepirohi Waterfall (Madolenihmw)
A wide curtain of water over basalt with a cool swimming pool a short walk from the road. - Sahwartik Falls (Madolenihmw)
A tall, wild waterfall at the end of a muddy rainforest trail for those who like adventure. - Liduduhniap Twin Falls (Nett)
Twin waterfalls in the hills behind Kolonia with pools that families enjoy. - Sokehs Ridge (Sokehs)
A hike past Japanese wartime guns to sweeping views of Kolonia and the lagoon. - Sokehs Rock (Sokehs)
A steep guided scramble to the top of the sheer cliff that defines the Kolonia skyline. - Ant Atoll (Off southwest Pohnpei)
White sand islets, sharks and rays on a boat day trip from the main island. - Pakin Atoll (Off northwest Pohnpei)
A remote atoll with clear lagoon water and almost no other visitors. - Pohnpei mangrove kayaking (Kolonia)
Paddling quiet mangrove channels gives a different view of the island's coast.
Things to Do
- Black Coral Island (Pohnpei lagoon)
A sandbar islet for picnics and snorkelling on calm days. - Kehpara Island (Kitti)
A small sandy island off the south coast that is perfect for an easy snorkel day. - Palikir Pass (Sokehs)
A powerful right hand reef break that draws experienced surfers in the northern winter. - Sakau market evenings (Kolonia)
Roadside sakau bars where you can taste the island's ceremonial kava drink. - Pohnpei dive and snorkel trips (Kolonia)
Boat days to channels with mantas, sharks and coral on the outer reef.
Arts and Culture
- Spanish Wall (Kolonia)
The remains of a nineteenth century Spanish fort in the middle of town. - German Bell Tower (Kolonia)
A surviving bell tower from the German era church beside the Catholic mission. - FSM Capitol Complex (Palikir)
The national government buildings set in quiet green hills outside Kolonia. - Japanese war memorials (Kolonia)
Quiet memorials and relics recalling the island's wartime years.
Stays
- Mangrove Bay Hotel (Kolonia)
A waterside hotel with a restaurant and deck facing the mangroves near town. - Cliff Rainbow Hotel (Kolonia)
A long running hotel on the hill with views and an easy walk into town. - Joy Hotel (Kolonia)
A simple, friendly hotel in central Kolonia with a popular Japanese restaurant. - South Park Hotel (Kolonia)
A practical hotel with views towards Sokehs Rock.
Restaurants
- Joy Restaurant (Kolonia)
Japanese style dishes and fresh tuna sashimi in a relaxed dining room. - Mangrove Bay Restaurant (Kolonia)
Dinner by the water with seafood and island sunsets.
Shopping and Markets
- Kolonia farmers markets (Kolonia)
Stalls with bananas, breadfruit, yams and fish give a taste of island life. - Pohnpei handicraft shops (Kolonia)
Woven baskets, carvings and local pepper make thoughtful souvenirs.
Events
- FSM Constitution Day (Palikir and Kolonia)
National celebrations on 10 May with parades, sports and food. - Pohnpei Liberation Day (Kolonia)
A September holiday with canoe races, games and community events. - Pohnpei Culture Day (Pohnpei)
A March celebration of traditional dance, crafts and food.
Places to Visit in Nan Madol
Arts and Culture
- Nandauwas (Nan Madol)
The royal mortuary islet with towering walls of stacked basalt logs. - Pahnkedira islet (Nan Madol)
The former administrative centre of the Saudeleur rulers, quieter than Nandauwas.
Things to Do
- Nan Madol channels by kayak (Temwen Island)
Paddling the tidal canals between the islets at high tide is unforgettable. - Nan Madol guided walk (Temwen Island)
A local guide brings the Saudeleur legends to life among the stones.
Nature and Outdoors
- Temwen Island mangrove path (Madolenihmw)
A short walk through mangroves on the way to the ruins.
Places to Visit in Chuuk
Things to Do
- Fujikawa Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
The classic wreck dive, with aircraft parts in the holds and a coral covered gun. - Shinkoku Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A tanker wreck famous for its colourful coral and marine life. - San Francisco Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A deep wreck with tanks and trucks on deck for experienced divers. - Nippo Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A cargo ship carrying a tank, guns and trucks that impresses every diver. - Heian Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A huge submarine tender lying on its side with periscopes in its holds. - Rio de Janeiro Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A former passenger liner with sake bottles and big propellers. - Hoki Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A cargo wreck loaded with trucks, bulldozers and aircraft engines. - Betty Bomber wreck (Chuuk Lagoon)
A shallow aircraft wreck that snorkellers and new divers can see. - Yamagiri Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A wreck holding giant battleship shells in its holds. - Kensho Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A coral covered wreck with an accessible engine room. - Sankisan Maru (Chuuk Lagoon)
A wreck full of ammunition and truck parts in fairly shallow water.
Stays
- Truk Stop Hotel (Weno)
A dive hotel with its own dive centre, restaurant and bar by the water. - Blue Lagoon Resort (Weno)
A dive resort on the lagoon shore with palm gardens and its own dive shop. - Truk Odyssey liveaboard (Chuuk Lagoon)
A liveaboard that moves around the lagoon for back to back wreck dives.
Restaurants
- Truk Stop restaurant (Weno)
Seafood, burgers and island plates with lagoon views. - Blue Lagoon Resort restaurant (Weno)
Dinner by the water after a day on the wrecks.
Arts and Culture
- Xavier High School (Weno)
A school in a former Japanese communications building with lagoon views. - Japanese lighthouse ruins (Weno)
Wartime ruins on a hilltop with wide views over the lagoon. - Nefo Cave (Weno)
A hillside cave hiding a Japanese gun pointed out over the lagoon. - Tonoas Japanese base ruins (Tonoas)
Remains of the wartime naval headquarters on the old Dublon Island.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Tonachau (Weno)
A short, steep hike with views over Weno and the reef. - Chuuk outer reef snorkelling (Chuuk Lagoon)
Coral gardens on the barrier reef offer colour beyond the wrecks.
Shopping and Markets
- Weno stores and markets (Weno)
Small stores and stalls where you can buy fruit, snacks and woven goods. - Chuuk love sticks (Weno)
Carved love sticks are the classic Chuukese craft souvenir.
Bars and Nightlife
- Truk Stop bar (Weno)
The place divers swap wreck stories over a cold drink.
Places to Visit in Yap
Nature and Outdoors
- Mi'l Channel (Maap)
Resident manta rays at cleaning stations make this one of the Pacific's great dives. - Goofnuw Channel (Maap)
A seasonal manta site and lovely drift dive. - Japanese airfield wrecks (Yap)
Rusting wartime aircraft lie in the bush near the airport. - Ulithi Atoll (Ulithi)
A remote atoll with turtle islands and wartime history. - Chamorro Bay sunsets (Colonia)
The calm bay at Colonia glows at sunset. - Mangrove channel snorkel (Yap)
Calm mangrove channels full of juvenile fish.
Things to Do
- Vertigo dive site (Yap)
A wall dive known for reef sharks and big blue water. - Yap Divers (Colonia)
A long running dive operator famous for its manta encounters. - Village guided walks (Yap)
Guided walks between villages explain custom, paths and stone money.
Arts and Culture
- Mangyol stone money bank (Gagil)
A row of giant rai stones along a village path. - Bechiyal Cultural Center (Maap)
A seaside men's meeting house and stone money showing traditional life. - Okau stone path (Weloy)
An ancient stone path through a traditional village. - Yap Living History Museum (Colonia)
Traditional houses and canoes beside Chamorro Bay. - Colonia stone money (Colonia)
Rai stones you can see in town without a long drive.
Events
- Yap Day (Colonia)
The March festival of traditional dance, food and crafts.
Stays
- Manta Ray Bay Resort (Colonia)
The island's best known dive resort, home of Yap Divers.
Restaurants
- Mnuw (Colonia)
A bar and restaurant aboard a traditional sailing ship moored at the resort. - Colonia local diners (Colonia)
Simple local eateries for rice plates and fresh fish.
Shopping and Markets
- Yap handicrafts (Colonia)
Woven bags, lava lavas and small stone money replicas made locally.
Places to Visit in Kosrae
Arts and Culture
- Lelu Ruins (Lelu)
The walls and tombs of Kosrae's ancient royal city in the forest. - Menka Ruins (Utwe)
A legendary site reached on a guided jungle walk. - Leonora wreck site (Utwe Harbor)
The resting place of Bully Hayes' ship in the harbour. - Sunday church singing (Kosrae)
Congregational choirs sing in beautiful harmony every Sunday.
Nature and Outdoors
- Utwe Walung Marine Park (Utwe)
A canoe trip through mangrove channels to Walung village. - Mount Finkol (Kosrae)
A long, muddy guided climb to the island's highest point. - Yela Ka Forest (Yela)
A rare forest of giant ka trees with towering buttress roots. - Lelu Causeway walk (Lelu)
A gentle walk with harbour and mountain views. - Sleeping Lady viewpoint (Kosrae)
The best spot to see the mountain outline that gives Kosrae its nickname.
Things to Do
- Kosrae reef snorkelling (Kosrae)
Healthy coral close to shore that families can enjoy on calm days. - Kosrae dive trips (Kosrae)
Quiet, clear dive sites with turtles, sharks and hard coral. - Kosrae kayaking (Kosrae)
Paddling calm lagoon water along empty shores.
Stays
- Kosrae Nautilus Resort (Tofol)
A friendly lodge with a pool, restaurant and dive centre. - Pacific Treelodge Resort (Tofol)
Cottages set among mangroves with a quiet garden.
Restaurants
- Kosrae tangerine stalls (Kosrae)
Roadside sellers of the island's famous sweet green tangerines.
Shopping and Markets
- Kosrae handicraft shops (Tofol)
Woven fans, purses and carvings made by local artisans.
Events
- Kosrae Liberation Day (Tofol)
A September holiday with canoe races, sports and feasts.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Lidorkini Museum (Kolonia, Pohnpei)
A small museum of Pohnpeian tools, canoes and colonial history. - Enipein Marine Park (Kitti, Pohnpei)
A mangrove and reef area where local guides paddle visitors through calm channels. - The Village Hotel (Nett, Pohnpei)
A thatched cliffside retreat famous for its views over the lagoon. - Ocean View Plaza Hotel (Kolonia, Pohnpei)
A central hotel close to shops and restaurants. - Rusty Anchor (Kolonia, Pohnpei)
A sociable waterside bar where expats, divers and locals gather after work. - PCR Restaurant (Kolonia, Pohnpei)
A long standing local favourite with hearty plates and sashimi. - Pohnpei pepper farm visits (Madolenihmw, Pohnpei)
Visits to farms growing the island's celebrated black pepper. - Madolenihmw village lunch stops (Madolenihmw, Nan Madol)
Simple family run food stalls near the ruins serve fish and breadfruit. - SS Thorfinn liveaboard (Chuuk Lagoon, Chuuk)
A converted whaling ship turned dive liveaboard with a loyal following. - High Tide Hotel (Weno, Chuuk)
A simple hotel in Weno used by business travellers. - Jeep Island (Chuuk Lagoon, Chuuk)
A tiny palm topped islet for a castaway day of snorkelling. - Chuuk Lagoon Liberation Day (Weno, Chuuk)
A September holiday with sports and community gatherings. - Wanyan stone money (Gagil, Yap)
A quiet village bank of stone money away from the tour circuit. - Pathways Hotel (Colonia, Yap)
Thatched cottages on a hillside above the bay. - ESA Hotel (Colonia, Yap)
A simple, central hotel near Chamorro Bay. - Yap Traditional Navigation Society canoe sail (Yap, Yap)
A chance to see traditional canoe building and sailing skills. - Saolung Waterfall (Kosrae, Kosrae)
A forest waterfall reached on a short hike. - Kosrae Village Ecolodge (Utwe, Kosrae)
Thatched bungalows on the shore built by a pioneering eco lodge. - Bully's Restaurant (Tofol, Kosrae)
A friendly restaurant at the Treelodge with island and Western dishes. - Kosrae State Museum (Tofol, Kosrae)
A small museum on island history and culture.