Pohnpei
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Positives
- Warm, crystal clear water
- P-Pass perfection
- Island sightseeing
- Safe, politically stable
Negatives
- Inconsistent N swells
- Occasional crowds & rips
- Extremely rainy
- Very expensive trip
Pohnpei surf travel guide
Referred to as the Garden Islands of Micronesia, the country is known for palm-shaded beaches, wreck-filled dives and ancient ruins. This includes Nan Madol – sunken basalt temples and burial vaults that extend out of a lagoon on Pohnpei, the tip of a five million-year-old extinct shield volcano. The entire island is made up of black basalt rock, surrounded by a deep lagoon up to 8km wide, circled by many reefs. Pohnpei sits in the middle of the 'Pool', the warmest ocean temperatures in the world, fed from the east by the Northern Equatorial Current. Secretly surfed by a lucky few until a Surf Report Issue in Feb 1998, P-Pass is now generally considered as the best wave in Micronesia.
Surf spots in Pohnpei
Research the 9 surf breaks in Pohnpei and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 9 breaks in Pohnpei.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Pohnpei
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Pohnpei.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 20,000
- Population
- 115,023
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- USD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +692
- Dialing out
- 011
- Language
- English
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ab
Visas
Visa free travel for everyone - USA (365 days), EU (90 days), UK OZ, NZ Canada etc (30 days).
Getting There
30days visa issued on arrival. Passport needs min 120 days validity. Only United Airlines serves Pohnpei (PNI) from Honolulu (HNL) or Guam (GUM). Expect to pay at least $1645 (Mon/Tue) up to $1903 (Fri) for the 9hr HNL return flight or $1051 from GUM (4hrs). Don’t forget the $200 e/w for your boardbag! Dep tax $10.
Getting Around
No paddle spots so use Pohnpei Surf Club boats, leaving at regular times (7am/9am) to spread the crowd. All the boats are equipped with cell phones, radio, first aid kits, coolers for food and drinks, ice, shaded area, seat cushions, and fishing and diving equipment when needed. It’s all included in the package.
Accommodation
Pohnpei Surf Club costs between $199-225/night (peak season is Nov - Feb). 7 AC double rooms with all mod cons. P-Pass Surf Camp $170/d. Staying at the Village Hotel (fr $103) is possible, but finding a boat will be difficult and expensive. All-you-can-eat rotary Sushi for $8. Expect $15-20 for meals daily + stocking hotel rooms with supplies from the supermarket in Kolonia.
Activities
Waterfalls, ancient ruins of Nan Madol, world-class diving, deep-sea fishing, snorkelling, bird watching, canoeing. Hike Sokehs Ridge and WWII historical sites.
Hazards & hassles
Boat access means no reef walking when you paddle in and out. Most surfers do not use booties, but they can be helpful at times.
Handy Hints
Small to mid-range boards (6'0'-7'0') work best in the barrels. PSC recommends bringing 4 boards and has a fleet of used hire boards for those who break all theirs. Bring everything with you including snacks.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.