
Diving in Pohnpei
Why dive here
Pohnpei offers some of Micronesia's richest diving, with 313+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, giant moray eels, octopuses, sperm whales and whitetip reef sharks.
Pohnpei’s outer reefs are what we’re really here for. Think big, dramatic walls that drop into the deep blue, usually with a steady current that makes for some fantastic drift diving. We’ve had incredible encounters with reef sharks patrolling the drop-offs and mantas gliding by, especially on the west side of the island. The currents can pick up, so this isn't always a relaxing cruise, but that's often when the big pelagics show up. The interior dive sites are a different story, with some surprising finds. We’ve found little blennies peeking out of the coral and morays tucked into crevices. The coral itself is generally healthy, with some impressive staghorn formations and stony corals creating intricate structures. Visibility can vary, particularly after heavy rain, but out on the walls, it often stretches to 20 or 30 metres. We’d suggest focusing your dives on the outer reefs during the drier months for the best chance at pelagic action.
Pohnpei Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Pohnpei
Pohnpei Dive Sites
14 dive sites in Pohnpei
Ant Atoll
Ant Atoll, just a short boat ride from Pohnpei, offers a collection of outer reef dives. We've found the coral here healthy, with some impressive hard coral formations on the outer slopes. Expect a good mix of pelagic fish, including grey reef sharks and schooling barracuda, drifting past the reef walls. It's a solid choice for divers looking for a straightforward drift dive with reliable big fish action.
Ant Atoll - Northwest Wall
The Northwest Wall at Ant Atoll drops straight down, a typical Pohnpei wall dive experience. We found the coral cover healthy enough, with plenty of reef fish darting about. It’s a reliable spot for a solid dive, good for divers who appreciate consistent wall topography without seeking out specific big animal encounters. Keep an eye out for grey reef sharks cruising the blue.
Ant Atoll - Tauenai Pass
Tauenai Pass, within Ant Atoll, offers a drift through a coral channel. We’ve seen reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections, and often schools of jacks congregating where the current picks up. It’s a site for divers comfortable with moving water, focusing on pelagic action rather than macro life.
Areu Wall
Areu Wall is a classic Pohnpei drop-off, offering drift diving along a vertical face. We've often encountered reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections and spotted plenty of schooling barracuda out in the blue. It’s a good choice for divers comfortable with currents and looking for larger pelagic action. Expect a good chance of seeing eagle rays gliding past.
Dahwlak Pokie
Located in Pohnpei, Micronesia, Dahwlak Pokie is a dive site.
Kehpara
Kehpara offers a relaxed dive experience in Pohnpei. The site is known for its resident population of reef sharks, often spotted cruising the edges of the reef. We've also encountered schooling barracuda and smaller reef fish here. It’s a good choice for divers looking for a straightforward, easy dive with reliable shark sightings.
Manta Road
Manta Road in Pohnpei lives up to its name, a channel where mantas frequently cruise through. We often see them passing by, sometimes lingering at cleaning stations along the sandy bottom. Currents here can be significant, so it's best for divers comfortable with drift diving and managing their buoyancy in moving water. It’s a great spot if you’re hoping for close encounters with these gentle giants.
METOMKIN
Metomkin is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. Not because it’s a big, deep, intact freighter, but precisely because it’s not. This isn’t a technical dive, or even much of a dive at all in the traditional sense. It’s a shallow motor vessel, built in 1944 and now completely exposed at low tide, just off the shore. You can wade out to it, or snorkel around it when the tide is higher. What we love about Metomkin is the accessibility and the sheer amount of life that calls this skeletal hulk home. It’s an almost perfect spot for photographers looking for something a bit different – the light plays beautifully through the exposed ribs of the hull. We’ve spent hours here, just floating, watching juvenile reef fish dart between the rusting beams. Look closely, and you’ll find plenty of nudibranchs clinging to the metal, and small crabs scuttling over the barnacled surfaces. It’s a fantastic site for newer divers getting comfortable with currents and exploring a wreck without the pressure of depth, or for anyone who enjoys the calm, quiet observation of marine life in a unique setting.
Mwand Pass
Mwand Pass offers a drift dive through a wide channel on Pohnpei’s outer reef. We often find schooling barracuda and grey reef sharks here, cruising against the current. It's a relaxed drift, making it suitable for divers comfortable with moderate currents, though conditions can pick up. Keep an eye out for eagle rays gliding past.
Mwand Wall
Mwand Wall is a classic Pacific wall dive, dropping away into the blue. We often see pelagics cruising past, like reef sharks and tuna, particularly on incoming currents. It's a site that really suits divers who enjoy drifting along, keeping an eye out into the big blue for what might swim by.
Pahleng Corner
Pahleng Corner offers diving in Pohnpei, Micronesia.
Pahn Nin Seitamw
Pahn Nin Seitamw is a dive site in Pohnpei, Micronesia.
Pohnpei Dive Centres
Ocean Wildlife in Pohnpei
313 species recorded in Pohnpei
Pohnpei Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Pohnpei, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:22
Sunset
18:40
Daylight
12h 18m
Golden Hour
18:12
First light (dawn) at 06:01 · Last light (dusk) at 19:01
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:44 | 18:30 | 11h 46m |
| Feb | 06:45 | 18:40 | 11h 54m |
| Mar | 06:35 | 18:40 | 12h 4m |
| Apr | 06:20 | 18:36 | 12h 16m |
| May | 06:12 | 18:38 | 12h 26m |
| JunLongest | 06:13 | 18:44 | 12h 31m |
| Jul | 06:19 | 18:48 | 12h 29m |
| AugNow | 06:22 | 18:43 | 12h 21m |
| Sep | 06:19 | 18:29 | 12h 10m |
| Oct | 06:15 | 18:13 | 11h 59m |
| Nov | 06:18 | 18:07 | 11h 49m |
| DecShortest | 06:31 | 18:15 | 11h 44m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Pohnpei.
Where to Stay near Pohnpei
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Marine Protected Areas near Pohnpei
1 protected area near Pohnpei - please respect local regulations when diving
And Atoll
Getting to Pohnpei
Pohnpei Island
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