Manta Road

Depth: 3 – 24 meters (10-80 ft)
Required Experience: Intermediate
Access: Boat

As the name implies, this is the place to see manta rays in Ponhpei. A wide channel slopes down into the blue and mantas travel along them and trough a series of narrower channels present in the area.
When there is a strong current, a line permanently attached parallel to the bottom makes it possible to stay in a fixed place to enjoy the view of several mantas passing by.
Patience is a key element to see the mantas. If they feel threatened, they will leave and not return. If you do not attempt to touch them, however, they will come up to you quite closely.
It is interesting to notice the incredible number of black mantas in the area. It is said that an unparalleled 30 % of them are black! A very popular feature on this dive is a cleaning station where you can see tiny fish eating parasitic insects and leftover food clinging from the animal’s gills and skin.
Though it is possible to see up to 20 mantas at one time, finding them can be hit and miss.

Palikir Pass

Depth: 6 – 40 meters (20 –130 ft)
Required Experience: Intermediate
Access: Boat

This is one of the top dive sites in Pohnpei and Micronesia as well. Channels are the main kind of topography around the island and Palikir Pass has the best among them.
There is an ever present school of grey reef sharks. Large corals mark the upper reef , then turning into a sloping wall where you can see different kinds of soft coral.
Fish life is spectacular with barracudas, sweetlips, napoleon wrasse, bumphead parrotfish and large schools of jacks. It is important to dive here on incoming tide for best visibility.

Mwand Pass

Depth: 3-30 meters (10 –100 ft)
Required Experience: Intermediate
Access: Boat

The reef starts at 3 meters (10 ft) and then it slopes down. The highlight of this dive is the particularly beautiful coral, ranging in color from green to red, yellow and burgundy. Most of the sea life is at around 18 meters (60 ft), including Napoleon wrasse and schools of fusiliers. In the smaller scale, crinoids, nudibranchs and blennies can be seen. Be careful with the currents that can change during the dive.

Toawoaioai Pass (at Ahnd atoll)

Depth: 6 – 40 meters (10 – 130 ft)
Required Experience: Advanced
Access: Boat

To the south of Pohnpei, the inhabited Ahnd Atoll offers incredible sea life and pristine beaches. One of the best dive sites in the area is Toawoaioai Pass, located in the south east, between the tiny islands of Imwinyap and Nikahlap. It is the outlet for tidal flow from the atoll, so currents are definitely present, making sea life incredibly rich.
There are two walls, the one to the West is Orange or Golden Wall, the one to the East is Nikahlap Areu Wall. Both are equally good. The caverns and overhangs are home to sea whips, gorgonians and a variety of invertebrates.
It is possible to do a night dive in this area although it should be carried out only by experienced divers.
Diving on the inside part of the lagoon is another option. The site that extends from the pass is called Turtle Canyon and it is the home of a permanent population of sea turtles.

The Medusas (at Pekein atoll)

Depth: 3-40 meters (10 – 130 ft)
Required Experience: Intermediate
Access: Boat

To the west of Pohnpei, the Pekein atoll, inhabited only by a few people, gives divers a stunning view right upon arrival. There are just a few dive sites around the atoll but they are all worth exploring.
The name of this site is given by five medusa –like coral heads that appear in the area.
An uncountable number of crevalle jacks live beneath the massive overhang and you will see them not long after starting the dive. Your eyes will find no limit to the deep blue, which can be quite deceiving, so be aware of your depth. Never ending canyons form a sort of labyrinth like structure for sharks to move along.
Even if you do not take pictures, this is one of those dives that will stay on your mind forever.