Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Guide

Dream Inside, Step Outside

Category: scuba diving

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

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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

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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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Pohnpei Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

Marine Protected Areas (MPA), Sanctuaries, and Forest Reserves

Pohnpei Island currently has thirteen marine protected areas, including three mangrove forest reserves and two stingray sanctuaries. Additionally, Pakin Atoll has five of its own MPAs and all of Ahnd Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

If you wish to visit a MPA it is best to work with a tour operators as they have the necessary permits that allow entry into these MPAs and biosphere reserves.

Current MPAs

Sapwtik MPA

Sapwtik Marine Protected Area is a 0.83 km2 (0.32 mi2) area encompassing Sapwtik (island), portions of its fringing reef, and sections of the lagoon southwest and northeast of the island.

Dekehos (Mwahnd) MPA

Dekehos Marine Protected Area is a 4.60 km2 (1.78 mi2) area encompassing Mwahnd Passage (Kepidauen Mwahnd) and portions of the barrier reef north of the pass and to the south as far as the fringing reef of Mwahnd Peidak (island).

Dehpehk MPA

Dehpehk Marine Protected Area is a 2.12 km2 (0.82 mi2) area encompassing the eastern and northern coasts of Dehpehk (island) and adjacent fringing reefs.

Nanwap MPA

Nanwap Marine Protected Area is a 3.05 km2 (1.18 mi2) section of the barrier reef and adjacent lagoon areas north of the Madolenihmw Bay passage (Kepidauen Deleur).

Senipehn Mangrove Forest Reserve

Senipehn Mangrove Forest Reserve is a 1.30 km2 (0.5 mi2) area of mangrove forest surrounding Dauen Sapwalap in Madolenihmw.

Namwen Na Stingray Sanctuary

Namwen Na Stingray Sanctuary is a 0.71 km2 (0.27 mi2) area encompassing both shallow reef and deep water areas located north of Na (island) and south of Nahpali (island).

Namwen Nahnningi Stingray Sanctuary

Namwen Nahnningi Stingray Sanctuary is a 0.34 km2 (0.13 mi2) area encompassing four large reef pools and the adjacent reefs northwest of Nahnningi (island).

Nahtik MPA

Nahtik Marine Protected Area is a 0.75 km2 (0.29 mi2) area encompassing Nahtik (island) and all fringing reefs.

Enipein Mangrove Reserve

Enipein Mangrove Reserve is a 9.55 km2 (3.69 mi2) area of mangrove forest located in Enipein, Kitti.

Kehpara MPA

Kehpara Marine Protected Area is a 1.89 km2 (0.73 mi2) area encompassing the three Namwmwour barrier reef islands (including Kehpara) and large sections of the barrier reef both north, south, and east of the islands. This area is completely closed to diving and snorkeling from January 1 to June 30 every year.

Pwudoi Mangrove Sanctuary

Pwudoi Mangrove Sanctuary is a 1.39 km2 (0.52 mi2) area encompassing large sections of mangrove forest in Pwudoi, Kitti, as well as adjacent fringing reefs and portions of the lagoon.

Pakin Atoll Map

Wahulap MPA

Wahulap Marine Protected Area on Pakin Atoll encompasses Nikahlap Island and all surrounding reefs.

Painpwel MPA

Painpwel Marine Protected Area on Pakin Atoll encompasses Painpwel Island, a number of tiny islands off the north coast where sea turtles nest, and all surrounding reefs.

Palikir MPA

Palikir Marine Protected Area is one of Pohnpei’s largest inner-lagoon sanctuaries. It stretches from the shore of Palikir all the way to Palikir Pass. It is also one of Pohnpei’s most successful MPA’s and in 2020 efforts were made expand the MPA’s borders.

Sapangin MPA

Sapangin Marine Protected Area on Pakin Atoll encompasses Sapangin Island, several tiny islets to the north where sea turtles nest, and all surrounding reefs.

Kehrot MPA

Kehrot Marine Protected Area on Pakin Atoll encompasses Kehrot Island, many tiny islets to the northeast where sea turtles nest, and all surrounding reefs.

Mwahnid MPA

Mwahnid Marine Protected Area on Pakin Atoll encompasses Mwahnid Island and all surrounding reefs.

Map Guides >> Marine Attractions >> Pohnpei Marine Protected Areas (MPA)

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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

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Nahlap Island

Local kids swim near the Nahlap Island dock, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Nahlap, owned by former FSM congressman John David, has become one of the most popular lagoon island get-aways in Pohnpei State largely because it’s easy to get to, affordable, and has lots of huts for visitors. There are two docks, several stilt huts out over the water for lounging around and taking in the scenery, a volleyball court, and a variety of picnic spots. The island also has a small chapel on it located further in from the picnic area. They also have wifi on the island but only in a certain area and not across the whole island. The island is large, shady, and quite pleasant. Though the surrounding ocean is dominated by mangroves and seagrass, there are places on the far side and around the docks with good snorkeling. The southeast coast has some shady beaches at low tide (the best is in front of the tiny chapel) and rope swings for the kids. The turn-off for the launch at Sekeren Iap is about 21 km west and south of Kolonia. Continue past the Henry Nanpei memorial and the Rohnkitti Church all the way to the end of the road.

To make reservations or arrange for a boat taxi from Sekeren Iap in Rohnkitti, call +691.320.2776. Or call the Kitti Municipal Government Office at +691.320.5038, 320.5808, 320.5049, or 320.3257 and ask for assistance.

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Pohnpei Adventures >> Islands >> Nahlap Island

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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

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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

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