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Kosrae

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A single high island 555 km east of Pohnpei, whose ridge, seen from the east, gave it the name of the Sleeping Lady.

Fly to Kosrae All of Micronesia
Arrival
Kosrae International · KSA
To Tofol
Airport 22 km from the town
Private jets
Airport of entry; about 1,750 m of runway
Best time
June to August

The city

The island of the Sleeping Lady.

Kosrae is one green island inside a fringing reef, with 180 kinds of coral and water clear to 60 metres on the best days. More than 700 years ago its rulers built a walled town on the islet of Lelu from basalt brought over from the main island, and cut canals so that canoes could supply them. Only Pohnpei has stone building on the same scale in the Pacific.

The south coast at Utwe and Walung is a marine park around one of the last intact mangrove forests in the Pacific, best seen from an outrigger canoe or a kayak. Mount Finkol, at about 631 metres, takes a full day to climb. From June to August the wind drops and the sea lies calm; in the trade-wind months, November to April, rain gathers on the mountains and divers keep to the south and west coasts.

  • Lelu ruins The overgrown basalt walls and canals of the old royal town, on Lelu islet.
  • Utwe-Walung mangroves Channels through a protected mangrove forest, paddled by outrigger canoe or kayak.
  • Mount Finkol The highest point of the Sleeping Lady, about 631 metres, a full day’s hike there and back.

Arriving

Straight in from abroad.

Kosrae International is 22 km by road from Tofol, the state capital. The runway is grooved asphalt of about 1,750 metres, and the airport is open on weekdays and Saturday mornings, on call on Sundays.

Business & First Class Scheduled flights Twice a week United’s Island Hopper calls at Kosrae between Pohnpei and Kwajalein, on the long run from Guam to Honolulu by Chuuk and Majuro. The full journey takes about sixteen hours. Business & First fares Private Jet Private aircraft Unlike the other three FSM state airports, Kosrae is listed as an airport of entry, with customs on site. All flights need permission 24 hours ahead, and only jet fuel is available. Charter a jet
Approximate flying time by midsize jet
  • Nadi 4 h 15
  • Brisbane 5 h 15
  • Tokyo 5 h 40
  • Sydney 6 h 10 long-range jet
  • Bangkok 9 h 10 long-range jet

When to go

June to August.

Hot and humid throughout the year, with highs of 31 °C and a sea of 29 °C. February is the driest month on the long-term record, but June to August bring the lightest winds and the calmest sea for diving, and rain then falls mostly at night.

  1. 31° J 217 29°
  2. 31° F 182 29°
  3. 31° M 214 29°
  4. 31° A 258 29°
  5. 31° M 294 29°
  6. 31° J 279 29°
  7. 31° J 319 29°
  8. 31° A 291 29°
  9. 31° S 288 29°
  10. 31° O 298 29°
  11. 31° N 273 29°
  12. 31° D 267 29°
Best months weather2travel.com, long-term averages; season from Frommers

Elsewhere in Micronesia

More reasons to come.

All of Micronesia

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Business & First Private Jet