Introduction
The four South Pacific islands that make up the Federated States of Micronesia have been bundled and bonded together by little more than a stormy shared history of colonial control; Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap are in fact all distinct states with their own heritage and customs; Micronesia travel and Micronesia holidays tend to centre on one of these destinations.
Chuuk is a world-class dive and snorkelling site; The Truk Lagoon here has a wealth of World War II wrecks to explore, including an entire sunken Japanese fleet, making it perfect for diving holidays in Micronesia.
Kosrae is considered by many to be the least developed and most attractive island. The ruins of Lelu are worth exploring and there are also a large number of excellent dive sites, many of which are accessible simply by walking in from the beach.
Pohnpei conceals the historic ruins of the ancient stone city Nan Madol amidst its verdant countryside. Elsewhere, the Sokehs mass grave marks the spot where 17 natives were executed for resisting the then-German administration.
Yap remains the most traditional of the four and an excellent place to see island culture alive and thriving; look out for strikingly coloured loincloths, stone money and original, elaborate houses.