Page 82 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Micronesia —

In Pohnpei try the local drink, sakau. In harbour has a ship believed to be the Shoan that line the wrecks. The diving is year-
Chuuk sample Japanese and local cooking Maru, a B-29 Bomber, a Japanese seaplane, round with visibility on the wrecks varying
while in Rota indulge in the best of the sub chaser, landing craft and a Zero fighter. from 15–30 metres, and average depths
traditional Chamorro cooking. In the An interesting snorkelling site is provided between 12–40 metres.
Marshall Islands, American, Western-style by two American tanks in two-and-a-half Pohnpei is a maze of coral passes or
cooking and Chinese cuisine go hand in metres of water off Saipan World Resort. channels leading from the outside sea into
hand with Marshallese specialties.
The most adventurous site is the Grotto the inner lagoon offering great diving and
Activities which starts at the base of 200 stairs. After superb coral formations, including deep
Comprising approximately 2000 islands submerging 18 metres down the cavern, gorgonia fans that can grow up to six metres
and atolls, Micronesia caters for all levels you then swim through the tunnel to the in height. The shallow water is also the
of diving. Here’s a taste of what you can outside wall of the island where visibility place to see barracuda, mantas and several
expect to find at the various destinations. averages 30 metres. varieties of curious reef sharks.
Guam has an exceptional underwater Palau is known as one of the seven Yap is known as the island of manta
world. The water is crystal clear, with 60 underwater wonders of the world, not rays because you can see mantas here
metres visibility commonplace, and you surprising when you can stand atop a consistently. A new find is the manta ray
can expect to see coral gardens teeming cleaning station where the mantas queue
with fish life, a unique blue hole and reef edge in knee-deep water and see it up to have parasites removed from them
caverns. There are several wrecks of drop away to 320 metres vertically. It by small wrasses. These rays have a wing
is believed that there are more than 50
historical importance here including a WWII shipwrecks sunk in the lagoon. span of three to six metres and weigh in at
Japanese Zero. approximately 460 kilograms.
For a truly unique experience, how about
Also, the remains of a Spanish galleon, diving in a land locked lagoon with Popular dives in Yap are Mill Channel,
the world’s largest side paddle-wheeler, 100,000 non-stinging jellyfish! Dive sites Manta Ray Pass and Goofnuw Channel.
and a 230–metre passenger liner can offer stalactite-filled caves, giant undersea Mandarin fish are also becoming a
be found layered on top of each other. tunnels and gorgonia fans that stand up diving attraction. When the sun goes
You can also trace the remains of both to three metres tall. down, these colourful little fish come out
world wars at the double wreck of the Chuuk is renowned as having the best and stare at you!
Cormoran, a WWI German Gunboat, shipwreck diving in the world because of
and the Toka’s Maru, a Japanese freighter what is today known as the Ghost Fleet of Kosrae has consistently good diving
from WWII. conditions due to the triangular shape of
Truk Lagoon. It consists of 50–60 ships and the island. The great attraction here is the
Saipan is famed for its beaches and some of Japanese planes that were sent to the bottom clear, clean water and live coral that encircles
the fiercest fighting between the Americans after two days and a night of continuous the island. August is usually the best month
and the Japanese. As a result there are an strafing and bombing. The water when visibility is up to 65 metres. Kosrae
estimated 18 sunken Japanese ships and temperature has served as a great incubator has a large population of turtles and during
many others as yet undiscovered. The and the ships are now excellent artificial the mating season in December, their
majority of the wreck diving here is in reefs, home to a variety of spectacular numbers escalate. Another great attraction
Tanapag Harbour in depths of 12–18 marine life. Underwater photography is a is provided by the 150 dolphins that reside
metres with visibility up to 18 metres. The must here with the prolific coral growths outside the reef.

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