Pakin Atoll
A small atoll northwest of Pohnpei, reached by boat, with a handful of families on it.
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Pakin lies some thirty kilometres northwest of Pohnpei, a small atoll with a handful of islets around a lagoon and a population of a few dozen people living on coconut, fish and what the boats bring. There is no shop, no power grid and no accommodation beyond staying with a family. The reef is in good condition and the lagoon is clear. Boats run irregularly from Kolonia.
What you actually see
- The lagoon - clear shallow water enclosed by the reef.
- The islets - the small motus around the atoll rim.
- The community - a few dozen people living on subsistence.
- The reef - coral in better condition than around the main island.
When to go
December to March is the drier and calmer season. Boat crossings are cancelled in swell and are irregular in any season. Trade winds pick up from December.
Honest expectations
Getting there means arranging passage on an irregular boat, a rough three-hour crossing. Staying means being hosted by a family, with everything that implies. There are no facilities of any kind.
Nearby
Ant Atoll is southeast, and Pohnpei is southeast beyond it.
What to pack for Pakin Atoll
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.