Nan Madol stands on a series of 92 artificial islets built from basalt and coral boulders on the tidal flats off Pohnpei's southeast coast. The site covers approximately 200 acres and contains the remains of the Saudeleur Dynasty capital that functioned from roughly 1100 to 1628. The basalt columns were quarried from locations on Pohnpei and transported by raft. The largest stones at Nandauwas weigh approximately 50 tons. The walls reach heights of 25 feet in some sections. Most structures served as royal residences, temples, or mortuary sites. The site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. Visitors access Nan Madol by boat or by wading during low tide. The complex includes Nan Douwas, the royal mortuary, which features walls composed of stacked prismatic basalt columns. No restoration has occurred at most sections, leaving the site in an advanced state of natural reclamation by mangroves and vegetation.
Chuuk Lagoon contains the wrecks of approximately 60 Japanese ships and 275 aircraft sunk during Operation Hailstone on February 17-18, 1944. The United States Navy attacked the Japanese Imperial Navy's forward anchorage in a carrier-based operation. The lagoon reaches depths of 270 feet and spans roughly 40 miles in diameter. Wrecks lie between 15 and 180 feet of water. Intact vessels include the Fujikawa Maru, a 437-foot cargo ship resting upright at 110 feet with fighter aircraft still visible in its holds. The Shinkoku Maru, a fleet tanker, sits at 120 feet with guns, trucks, and torpedoes visible on deck. The San Francisco Maru rests at 200 feet and requires technical diving certification. Water temperature ranges from 81 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Visibility averages 60 to 100 feet. Chuuk Lagoon ranks among the most-dived wreck sites globally. All wrecks are protected as gravesites and removing artifacts is prohibited.
Sokehs Rock rises 656 feet above sea level on Pohnpei's northern coast near Kolonia. The basalt formation is the remnant of an ancient volcanic plug. A trail to the summit covers approximately one mile with steep sections requiring rope assists. The ascent takes 45 minutes to one hour. The site was the location of the Sokehs Rebellion in 1910 when Pohnpeian rebels resisted German colonial forces. German authorities executed 17 Pohnpeian leaders at the rock following the rebellion's suppression. Views from the summit extend across Kolonia, the northern coast, and offshore islands. The trail is maintained but becomes slippery during rain.
Kepirohi Waterfall, also known as Liduduhniap Falls, is located in the Pohnpei interior rainforest. The waterfall drops approximately 35 feet into a pool suitable for swimming. The hike to the waterfall follows a 15-minute trail through rainforest owned by the Kepirohi family. Access requires paying a land use fee to the local family. Pohnpei receives approximately 300 inches of rainfall annually in the interior highlands, making the island one of the wettest places on Earth. The rainforest contains tree ferns, wild hibiscus, and banyan trees. Bird species include the Pohnpei lorikeet and the Pohnpei fantail, both endemic.
Lelu ruins on Kosrae consist of stone structures and platforms built between approximately 1250 and 1500. The site covers 2.5 acres on Lelu Island in Lelu Harbor. Walls are constructed from prismatic basalt columns placed horizontally and vertically. The complex includes residential platforms, a royal compound, and tombs. The tallest walls reach approximately 20 feet. The site was abandoned after population decline from introduced diseases in the 19th century. Mangroves have grown through and around many structures. A causeway connects Lelu Island to the main island of Kosrae. The Kosrae State Historic Preservation Office maintains minimal signage at the site.
Stone money, called rai, remains present in Yap. The discs are carved from limestone quarried on Palau, located approximately 250 miles southwest. Yapese voyagers traveled by canoe to Palau, quarried the stones, carved them into discs with center holes, and transported them by canoe or raft. The largest rai measure 12 feet in diameter and weigh over 4 tons. Smaller stones range from inches to several feet across. Value depends on size, craftsmanship, history, and the difficulty or loss of life involved in acquisition. Stones are not moved after placement; ownership transfers through oral agreement. Stone money banks are located along roadsides and in village centers throughout Yap, particularly in Colonia and surrounding villages. The tradition of carving new rai ended in the early 20th century.