Surfing in Micronesia
Micronesia is a remote chain of islands located in the western Pacific Ocean comprising more than 600 islands. The country is known for having a mix of world class waves, exotic tropical beauty and a rich local culture. In the early 2000s the island of Pohnpei got famous when a few surfers came back after an epic trip and spread the word about P-Pass, a perfect right-hander with hollow barrels breaking on top of a shallow reef. That was enough to put Micronesia in the radar of every high-profile professional surfer in the world. P-Pass is an amazing wave and is frequently ranked No.5 best wave in the world. Despite all the attention the island of Pohnpei remains an easy going destination mostly because of the fact that Micronesia isn’t the easiest place to travel to. Travelers who go to this faraway paradise are usually polite and more than willingly to share. Besides that there are so many waves in the archipelago that it’s actually hard to create a big crowd. All the surf spots are offshore reef breaks so you need a boat to access the waves. Besides surfing, Micronesia has beautiful mountains, lush green forests, colorful sunsets, amazing waterfalls, world class fishing and the ancient and mysterious ruins of Nan Madol. All that you need to have an unforgettable surf trip with your family or friends.
Climate in Micronesia
The climate of Micronesia is considered tropical with two different seasons. The dry season is between December and April and the rainy season goes from April to December. Average temperatures are in between 26-32°C, and the water temperature is pleasant all year-round ranging around 28-29°C. As most tropical islands, Micronesia is highly influenced by the easterly trade winds. Typhoons may hit the archipelago from July to mid November but they are rare since the routes of the typhoons are too far northwest to reach Micronesia. Usually when they hit the coast of the islands they are already losing power and don’t cause much damage. Micronesia has waves throughout the entire year, but the best time to surf is in between mid-October and the end of March. The peak of the surf season is January and February.
Best surf spots in Micronesia
The best and most famous waves in Micronesia are located on off-shore reefs near passages like P-Pass, Main Pass, Middle Pass, Lighthouse, Mwahnd, Areu, Nahpali, Nan Madol, and Pehleng. In order to get to the breaks you will need a boat since they are very distant from the beach and you really can’t paddle to any of them.
Budget Planning
Meal price range
Simple meals start at $7 USD. Mid-range meals start at $14 USD. Dining & drinking at high-end restaurants can cost anywhere from $30-40 USD
Equipment rental
There are one or two places where you can rent gear. Boards are around $20 USD.
Prepaid SIM cards
FSM Telecom is the only choice.
SIM cards can be purchased from FSMTC retail shops. There is a FSMTC in front of Chuuk International Airport.
Prepaid packages start at $20 USD.
Public transport
There isn’t a lot of public transportation here.
Taxis are abundant in the main population centres and provide a cheap way of getting around.
Two boats, the Micro Glory and the FSM Caroline Voyager, run infrequently between Colonia (Yap), Chuuk, Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele and Moen.
Rental cars start at $44 USD a day.
Be aware that there is no formal training in road safety, so many local drivers are unaware of fairly basic road safety rules.
Gas prices
$1.14 USD a liter.
Types of risks
Reefbreaks, shallow waters, sharks.
How to prepare
Visa
Citizens from the Marshall Islands, Palau and the US can stay visa free for 365 days. Citizens from all Schengen Areas can enter visa free for up to 90 days. All others can enter visa free for 30 days.
Vaccines
Although it's not mandatory, it’s recommended that you have been vaccinated for hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, Tdap, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, influenza, measles, mumps and rubella.
Things to know
Language & Currency
English is the official language.
The currency is the United States Dollar ($).
Best time to go
Micronesia has waves throughout the entire year, but the best time to surf is in between mid-October and the end of March. The peak of the surf season is January and February.
Checking Surf forecast
Checking the forecast about a week before your trip is always a good idea. Understanding what the waves will be like and knowing what gear to pack is essential. You can check the forecast for the waves here.
Do I need pack a pharmacy kit
You should bring a basic kit. Including ear drops, eye drops, bandaids, ear plugs, gaze, alcohol, mosquito repellent and broad spectrum antibiotic ointment.
Travel/Surf Insurance
World Nomads has great travel insurance packages that are not super expensive and they cover surfing.
Emergency
Dial 911
Check surf pictures of Micronesia at #surfppass.
