Pohnpei (Ponape)

Pohnpei State is composed of one island, eight outlying atolls, and a reef. It lies about halfway between Honolulu and Manilla. Pohnpei itself is a lush, rugged, high volcanic island, the largest in the FSM.

Sokeh's Rock Sokeh's Rock

With some sixteen feet of annual rainfall, it has beautiful waterfalls, dense coastal mangrove forests, interior rainforests, but no beaches.

Kepirohi Falls

Kolonia, on the northwest side, is the capital of the FSM. Pohnpei has a rich folklore tradition. The island is most famous for the spectacular ruins of Nan Madol off the eastern coast.

Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol (with Ann Santos, WA1S) Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol

Pohnpei is surrounded by a barrier reed with numerous channels.

coral scene sea fan (with Paul) soft coral scene crinoid scene coral scene

We were privileged to be diving with nudibranch expert Scott Johnson, who helped find Paul his favorite critters.... (Scientific names will appear here soon - this page is still under construction.)

... and one flatworm.

The channels attract manta rays to cleaning stations.

manta manta

Other species of fish...

lionfish lemon damsel hawkfish

...clownfish...

clownfish clownfish clownfish

... soft coral...

soft coral and tunichates soft coral, fire coral, and tunichates pink soft coral soft coral and crinoid soft coral soft coral

...macro life...

tunichate octocoral coral closeup

...sea stars...

blue sea star Tonga sea star red sea star crown-of-thorns sea star knobby sea star basket star

...crustaceans...

lobster hermit crab

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Last modified 24 October 2007