Ant Atoll

West across Pohnpei's water, Ant Atoll rings its lagoon in biosphere-reserve blues - the day-trip classic where the pass runs drift dives with sharks, rays and schooling jacks on the incoming tide, sandbars surface for picnic hours, and seabird islets keep noddy-and-tern colonies at respectful-distance viewing. Charters arrange the private-ownership permissions with the day; snorkellers take the pass's gentler edges and the lagoon's coral heads; and the return crossing collects Pohnpei's cloud-wrapped profile as the closing frame. It is the capital island's blue counterweight, one boat away. The atoll is privately held under Pohnpeian custom, so landing depends on permission from the family that holds it.

Background

Also written Ahnd, the atoll lies off Pohnpei's west coast and, with nearby Pakin Atoll, makes up the Senyavin group. Traces of an ancient civilization survive here, possibly the work of the same people who raised Nan Madol, and tradition holds that the semi-mythical hero king Isokelekel first landed and lived on Ant, learning the customs of its people. Álvaro de Saavedra became the first European visitor on 14 September 1529, and Pedro Fernandes de Queirós followed on 23 December 1595 on the San Jeronimo. Black noddies are among its seabird colonies. A small settlement is lived in part-time by the owner, who works with the NGO OneReef on conservation and against poaching.

Source: Wikipedia, "Ant Atoll"

What you'll find

• The pass drifts - sharks and jacks on the tide.
• The sandbar hours - picnics on surfacing white.
• The seabird islets - colonies at distance-respect.
• The lagoon heads - coral gardens inside the ring.

When to go

December to April for crossings and pass clarity; tides set the drift's schedule - operators time it.

Before you go

Access rides permissions and sea state both - charters handle the first, weather the veto; reserve manners (no take, distances) are the terms.

Nearby

Pohnpei's lagoon and Kolonia's harbour.

Key facts