Pohnpei

Ponape Handicraft Shop - Handicrafts for sale in Pohnpei

Pohnpei is one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia.

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Cities

Palikir - the capital
Kolonia - the main city on the island

Koloniasokehs - View of the airport and Kolonia from Sokehs ridge

Pohnpei is the Capital of FSM/Administrative Office are situated in Palikir ( FSM Federal Buildings / Capital of FSM Offices) Kolonia is the Capital of Pohnpei State.

More Destinations

Nan Madol
Kolonia

Pohnpei Halal Explorer

Pohnpei is the largest of the islands in the Federated States of Micronesia. It is roughly circular and about 60 miles around.

Pohnpei is the most developed of the four states in Micronesia.

Pohnpei is also one of the rainiest inhabited place in the world. With about 300 inches of rain per year at the higher elevations and 150 inches at the waterfront, and no dry season, expect it to rain every day, with alternating patches of sun, clouds, and rain. However, since the temperature hovers around 85°F (about 27°C) and the rain is never seen as much of a nuisance, and most people walk around without umbrellas or other rain gear. Rain can often be seen as a relief, because it cools the weather down a few degrees and keeps the humidity from feeling oppressive.

The Northern end of the island has most of the population, as well as the city of Kolonia. There are no well-defined boundaries to the city, and the townships are all quite near each other. There is a ring road that circles the island. Most people live on the ring road.

Local Languages

The regional language of Pohnpei is Pohnpeian. However, most people learn English as well. Outside of the capital and the college, most people only have rudimentary English skills, and once you get into the villages, only Pohnpeian is spoken, by and large. The older population has more proficiency in Japanese and the language of the occupation during their childhood.

Travel to Pohnpei

United Airlines is the only airline with Flights to Micronesia. They offer an island-hopper flight, which goes East to West on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and West to East on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The airport is small, and most checking on the islands is done by hand, so expect to have all of your luggage (carry-on or check-in) hand-searched. Because of this, check-in generally happens at least an hour before boarding, even though there are never huge numbers of people at the airport.

Intrepid travelers arrive on their sailboats to visit Pohnpei. There is a very nice lagoon for sailboats.

Get Around

Street names are not generally used to give directions. There are no addresses. Fortunately and there is only one primary street and it is pretty easy to get around. If you are lost, local residents know where practically everything is and are happy to give directions.

There are some vehicle rentals available in Pohnpei. The roads are in fair to poor condition, and potholes are common. Cars will drive on the wrong side of the road to avoid potholes. It is acceptable to pass a slow moving vehicle anywhere there is enough space. At night many drivers are intoxicated on Sakau and tend to drive very slowly. They also drive incomprehensibly slowly during the day. There is little in the way of direction signs.

There are also taxis, which are relatively cheap. A taxi ride in Kolonia will cost $1 per person. Prices increase the farther you go outside of Kolonia.

Walking is easy, as there are few distances within the Kolonia area which are more than a couple of miles away. Many people walk around town. Dogs may nip at you if you make too much eye contact with them.

What to See

Sokehs rock - a massive rock outcropping. a hiking trail leads to the top for a panoramic view over the island. there are some WW2 perioid Japanese guns at the top.
Nan Madol - a must see. the ruins of a thousand year old royal city. the ruins are located on artificial islands, and it has been called "the Venice of the pacific"
the Spanish Wall - located in the capital, Kolonia, this wall is all that remains of the old spanish fort.

Things to Do

Reef1445 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library - Reef scene off Pohnpei

Surfing

Pohnpei's surf season generally goes from late October until April but there are occasional good waves other times of year in other spots. Pohnpei has been featured in many surf magazines from all over the world over in recent years and as a result there are times when heavy crowds swarm the best breaks. Other times though it still remains a quiet and uncrowded island for surfers. To get to the best waves in Pohnpei you will need to get a ride from one of the many local fishermen with boats. You can easily check to see if there are waves from the hotels in town. South Park Hotel sits above Kolonia harbor and faces directly north toward Main Pass, Center Channel and gives a peak of Lighthouse Pass. Ocean View Hotel, aptly named, has clear views to the reef line on the north side of the island which provide a full indicator of what the swell is doing.

A short drive to Nan Pohnmal (5 minutes)west of town where the U.S. Embassy housing complex is located provides a clear view of the entire Northwest reef including Palikir Pass which is easily seen from the bluff top vista.

The local crew recommends NIHCO Marine Park which is in Sekere along the north western shore of the lagoon at the closest point of land to Palikir Pass. Locally owned, NIHCO has the best accommodations and the newest boats and surf tourist accommodations in Pohnpei.

Dive and Snorkel Pohnpei has very good diving and snorkeling. The diving here mostly along reefs. There is decent diving and snorkeling from Nahlap Resort. You will need a boat for the best diving spots on the island.
Kayak Sea Breeze hotel rents kayaks. The rate is $2 per hour. Coco Marina, across the street, also rents Kayaks.
See Mangrove Forests There are no natural beaches. Instead of beaches the island is surrounded by a belt of mangrove swamp. Travelers will find that there is not obvious access to the ocean in Kolonia. There is public access to the water a Nett Point.
Nahlap Resort Built on top of a reef in Kitti Municipality, Nahlap features about 10 spartan cabins. Nahlap is about a forty five minutes drive from Kolonia. There is an unmarked turn down a dirt road, off of the ring road to get to Nahlap. During low tide there is enough sand to spread out and get the beach experience. You can dive and snorkel from here, but you will need your own equipment. This resort offers overnight cabins, and day use cabins, all with BBQ pits. There is a shared restroom. Nahlap runs a water taxi to the resort that is $5 per person, round trip. The use fee is about $3 per person to rent a cabin. Kayaks can be rented for a couple of dollars. There is a Sunday discount.
Shop Handicrafts such as wood carvings, woven baskets, and wall hangings (often incorporating shells and small wood carvings) are made by the local population. As well as purchasing these, you can watch them being made.

Halal Restaurants in Pohnpei

There are about ten restaurants to eat at on Pohnpei. At most you can expect lunches from about $6.50 or $7, and dinners between $12 and $20.

Coco Marina - Web: , - Owned by the Neime Company, is a restaurant with an extensive menu of both local and American standards, and the only place on the island to get a proper Caesar Salad. The Hawaiian Style Poke is definitely something to try and the chef, formerly from San Diego, knows how to do a burrito the right way. The menu also features Steaks and produce, fresh from Hawaii, and the fish is always fresh. The bar is well-stocked and none-alcoholic drinks are potent and affordable. It's located in Kolonia, across the street from the Australian Embassy and Sea Breeze Hotel. +691 320-5631.

The China Star Restaurant down by the shipping port is by far the Best restaurant on the island. The cooks are from China and most dishes have fresh veggies. Meals are between $8.00 and $16.00. +691 320-6849
The Joy Hotel and Restaurant is known for its Joy Lunch, a Japanese-style set lunch of fried fish, tuna sashimi, Rice, salad, and soup. They also serve local Snacks like breadfruit and banana chips as a free appetizer. You can get it at dinner there, as well.Joy lunch is $7.50.Joy dinner as around $10.00 a plate. +691 320-2447
PCR / Nanchelik PCR has a river view and a Japanese revolving lazy susan, where you sit and pick off the dishes you like- sahami, sushi, fried fish and Chicken, seafood spaghetti, etc. All you can eat lunch (which usually includes sashimi and cucumber rolls) is $6.50. +691 320-5444
The Peppermill had a good lunch menu of sandwiches and light dishes but closed in July 2009 due to econmic decline. +691 320-7612
SEI restaurant is known for its buffet lunch, which, at $6.99, has all-you-can-eat sashimi, Rice, and fritters, among other things. Architecture alone is worth a visit. +691 320-4266
Angie's "Fast Food", right next to the now defunct Peppermill, has food which isn't really fast. However and they do have Burgers and fries, and affordable prices. +691 320-1480
The Village Resort is known for its Sunday brunch and great view. Try the banana pancakes! It is a great place to take a book and hang out for hours!
The Orchid Located at Ocean View Hotel, it is reasonably priced and has great view. +691 320-3075
Cliff Rainbow Restaurant has a Joy Lunch style set but their best lunch is the seafood spaghetti! Their pizza is also the best on the island, but you have to specifically ask them for the pizza menu, as they do not hand it out for some reason. And don't forget the fried ice cream! +691 320-2415
Cupid's Grill enjoys a fantastic view over the ocean - ideal for sunset. Food is very good, choose the fresh tuna.

The Rusty Anchor - the most popular bar on Pohnpei. It is located in the shell of an unfinished hotel and has an excellent view of the yacht harbor. It is known as the expat bar, but residents also frequent the café. Beer is between $2 and $3.50. There are swimmingpool tables.
Club Flamingo - the only nightclub on the island. $3 cover. Open on the weekends, after 10PM and the party can go on until 3 in the morning. Don't get caught on the dance floor after a song ends!
Tattooed Irishman - at the Village Hotel. Probably the best view and fanciest bar on the island. A great place to see a sunset. Beer is between $2.50 and $4.
Sakau en Pohnpei - many people around Pohnpei enjoy anesthetizing themselves with a goopy concoction known as sakau (a.k.a. kava). Try some and you'll understand why people say "like the feeling, not the taste." There are numerous sakau bars (markets) around town. 'Green Bay' is a popular sakau café. The atmosphere at the market is very quiet and low key. The price is usually $7 for all you can drink in a shared cup. For about $10 you can get a personal cup.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Pohnpei

Pohnpei - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Pohnpei, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Pohnpei. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Pohnpei and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Pohnpei. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Pohnpei. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inPohnpei: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Pohnpei.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Pohnpei: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Pohnpei, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Pohnpei.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Pohnpei, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Pohnpei, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Pohnpei and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Pohnpei, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Pohnpei, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Pohnpei without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Pohnpei is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Pohnpei.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Pohnpei is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Pohnpei, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Pohnpei Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

The PCR Hotel 10 rooms with AC, TV, internet connection, fridge and a restaurant and small private marina located downstairs. The Pohnpei Surf Club is based here. Land and ocean tours anywhere on the island and off shore. Snorkeling, surfing, sport fishing and all equipment included. Please contact Pohnpei Surf Club at +691 320-7845.

Ocean View Plaza - ☎ +691 320-7049 Probably somewhere close to a two star hotel, it is neither new, nor old. It serves as a decent place to sleep. All the rooms feature kitchenettes, air conditioning, private balconies, full bath, cable TV, telephones and laundry service.

Seven Stars Inn - One of the popular hotels in Kolonia. Rooms are comfortable and internet usable. Food in the restaurant is very good. It is a short walk into the centre of town. Credit cards accepted.

Stay Safe

The island is remarkably safe. Respect the local culture and you'll be OK. There are some problems with petty crime, particularly thefts from vehicles. Do not leave valuables on display.

News & References Pohnpei

Travel Next

The Marshall Islands or Guam are just a short flight away. The other islands of Kosrae and Chuuk are even closer.