Not to miss

Chuuk

Chuuk (formerly Truk) is colourful, lively and rough around the edges. It comprises 15 main islands, 92 outer islands and over 80 islets in the Chuuk Lagoon.

Its biggest drawing cards are its sunken wrecks, a boon for serious divers. A whole Japanese fleet rests on the lagoon floor, evidence of the largest naval loss in history. Each wreck is a time capsule - some are upright, some intact, some in pieces.

Lelu Ruins

Lelu Island, connected to the larger island of Kosrae by a causeway, is where a massive walled city was built between the 13th and 14th centuries for Kosraean royalty. Lelu's ruins, including burial mounds and dwellings, are hidden behind thick tropical vegetation, in the kind of isolated setting you might imagine trekking hours through dense jungle to find.

You can still see the dwelling compounds of the high chiefs, two royal burial mounds, a few sacred compounds and numerous large walls, built from huge hexagonal basalt logs stacked like a log cabin. On-site signs tell the full story.

Nan Madol

For many travellers, Nan Madol is the highlight of their Micronesian odyssey. An important political, social and religious centre built during the Saudeleur dynasty, Nan Madol was a place for ritual activity and the homes of royalty and servants. Comprising 92 artificial islets it's built on the tidal flats and reef off the southeastern side of Pohnpei.

Wide basalt pillars, up to 7.5m (26ft) long, formed naturally into hexagonal columns. They were quarried on Pohnpei Island and hauled to the site by raft, then stacked horizontally around the islets as retaining walls; the resultant twisting canals are known as the 'Venice of Micronesia'. On the level surfaces were temples, burial vaults, meeting houses, bathing areas, and pools for turtles, fish and eels. The eastern half, Madol Powe (Upper Town), had priests and rituals; the western half, Madol Pah (Lower Town), was the administrative section.

Sokehs Rock

The steep 152m (498ft) Sokehs Rock can be climbed by those who like a challenge. The trail begins near the Danpei United Church of Christ and the climb up takes up to an hour; a local guide is advisable. Along the steepest part of the trail ís a cable to pull yourself along. The reward is the excellent view of Kolonia and the reef from the top.