The complete itinerary
Complete Micronesia itinerary: 23 days, hotels and bookings
23 days sequenced Morning / Afternoon / Evening / Hotel.
23 days €39
See the itinerary
Micronesia itineraries, day by day
Four states scattered across 2,700 km of Pacific: the Federated States of Micronesia are one of the most off-the-radar destinations in the world. Nan Madol, the megalithic Venice of the Pacific built on 92 artificial islets, the wrecks of the Japanese fleet resting in Chuuk lagoon, a world sanctuary of diving, the giant stone money of Yap and lagoons without a single tourist. An explorer's journey, in the literal sense.
- Capital
- Palikir
- Currency
- US dollar ($)
- Language
- English and local languages
- Direct flight
- No direct flight, via Guam
- Time difference
- +9 to +10 hr depending on the state
Itineraries
Our trip ideas in Micronesia
The right season
When to go in Micronesia?
The equator is never far: 30 °C and water at 29 °C all year round. From December to April, the trade winds dry the air and smooth the lagoons, the best window for diving. From June to November, daily showers and the risk of forming typhoons, especially towards Yap and Chuuk; Pohnpei, one of the wettest places on Earth, stays green in every season.
- January : Ideal
- February : Ideal
- March : Ideal
- April : Pleasant
- May : Pleasant
- June : In-between
- July : In-between
- August : In-between
- September : In-between
- October : In-between
- November : Pleasant
- December : Ideal
- Ideal
- Pleasant
- In-between
- Avoid
Quick guide
Understanding Micronesia
Getting around
United's island hopper links Guam, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae: one of the most mythical flights in the world. On the ground, informal taxis and chartered boats; everything is arranged through your hotel or dive centre.
Money
The US dollar ($). Cash is essential outside the main hotels, the ATMs are rare and temperamental. Plan the diving budget in cash or by advance transfer.
Language
Official English, with Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese and Kosraean in daily life. A smile and a simple greeting open conversations of rare kindness.
Useful apps
No local app: offline maps, digitised diving documents and tropical patience. The internet, by satellite, remains slow and expensive: warn your family.
Accommodation
Small dive hotels in Chuuk and Pohnpei, family guesthouses, a comfortable resort on Kosrae. The offer is tiny: book before buying the flights.
Etiquette
Each island has its customs: shoulders and thighs covered in the villages, the chief's permission to visit certain sites, and on Yap, ask before photographing the stone money, the property of clans.
Must-sees
The iconic places
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Nan Madol
Pohnpei
The megalithic city set on 92 artificial islets, built of basalt columns from the 12th century. The most mysterious UNESCO site in the Pacific.
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Chuuk Lagoon
Chuuk
An entire Japanese fleet sunk in 1944 rests at 15 to 60 m: intact coral-covered wrecks, holds still full, the world's Holy Grail of diving.
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Kepirohi Waterfall
Pohnpei
20 m of water falling over basalt columns in the jungle, a stone's throw from Nan Madol. Swim in the pool included.
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Sokehs Rock
Pohnpei
The Micronesian sugarloaf: a basalt wall raised above the lagoon, whose climb gives the panorama of the whole island.
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Stone money of Yap
Yap
Calcite discs up to 4 m in diameter, still used in customary exchanges: the most astonishing open-air bank in the world.
Pick a point on the map, or browse the list below.
Also on the map
- Stone money : The giant discs of Yap
- Kosrae : The garden island of intact reefs