Surfing Guide to the Federated States of Micronesia

• Summary

• When to go

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

 

Summary

The Federated States of Micronesia earned its place on the global surf map in the early 2000s when professional surfers started gracing magazine covers, riding the now-famous barrels of P-Pass (Palikir Pass).

Ever since, Pohnpei’s reef breaks have attracted adventurous surfers seeking perfect, powerful waves with crowds a fraction of what you’d find in Hawaii, Tahiti, or the Maldives.

Located in the Western Pacific Ocean, Pohnpei is the main island of an archipelago of 607 islands. This remote paradise offers pristine surf, untouched reefs, and a surf experience that’s as much about the journey as the waves themselves.

While P-Pass is the crown jewel, Pohnpei offers several other high-quality reef breaks like Main Pass, Middle Pass, Pehleng, and Nahpali, all accessible only by boat. The waves here consistently deliver hollow barrels, fast walls, and clean lines.

There are no beach breaks in Micronesia, but on smaller swells and higher tides, even intermediate surfers can score fun sessions if they are comfortable surfing over reefs.

 

 

When to go

The best time to surf P-Pass,  Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia is from November until March, during the north Pacific swell season. This also happens to be during the South Pacific typhoon season which runs from October to April.

Where to stay

The Pohnpei Surf Club offers a range of services from accommodation to taxi-boat to the surf spots.

 

 

 

Getting there

Getting to Pohnpei is part of the adventure. The island is served exclusively by United Airlines, typically via the Island Hopper route, which connects through Guam, Honolulu, and the Marshall Islands.

• From the U.S.: Connect through Honolulu → Majuro → Kosrae → Pohnpei.

• From Asia: Connect through Guam → Chuuk → Pohnpei.

It’s best to book flights well in advance as there are limited seats and not many flights per week.

 

 

 

Safety/things to know

• Every spot requires a boat to get to
• Dengue fever possibilities

 

 

Surf spots in Micronesia

P-Pass

This wave is the main attraction on Pohnpei. On a good day, it is a world-class right-hand barrel that makes professionals rush to the Federated States of Micronesia attempting to tame the beast. It breaks on any W-NW-N-NE swell but is much better and peels nicely on a N swell. 

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : N
• Optimal wind direction : E

 

 

Main Pass

This one is located in Pohnpei’s largest pass and is also a very solid and challenging right-hand break. Heavy and consistent, Main Pass should be attacked by experienced surfers only.

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : High
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : N
• Optimal wind direction : E

 

 

Pehleng

This break is located further down Pohnpei’s west coast and requires a larger north swell to start working. It always is smaller than P-Pass and doesn’t work as often. However, when it does, Pehleng, is probably Pohnpei’s nicest wave.

• Wave direction : Right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : High
• Skill level : Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : N
• Optimal wind direction : E

 

 

Middle Pass

A fun wave that doesn’t get as crazy as P-Pass or Main Pass would. However, it remains a pretty shallow spot and like any wave in Pohnpei, requires a boat to get to.

• Wave direction : Right and left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Mid to high
• Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction : N
• Optimal wind direction : S