National park · Federated States of Micronesia
Nan Madol
Go for a half-day: wade the canal at low tide to Nan Douwas, the main ruin islet, and walk the footpath loop; bring water shoes, lunch and US$5 cash for the entry fee; skip if you cannot wade chest-deep water or if heavy rain is forecast (the path floods).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2016
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Micronesia ↗Micronesia runs on a handful of weekly flights, so one cancellation can cost several days: build slack into every connection between islands.
- Federated States of Micronesia ↗Entry rules are set by the FSM government, and each state also checks arrivals: confirm the rules for your passport with FSM immigration or an FSM embassy before booking.
- Federated States of Micronesia ↗The Chuuk Lagoon wrecks are protected war graves and historic sites: removing anything is prohibited, and a dive permit is required.
- Federated States of Micronesia ↗Land and reefs are owned by families and clans: ask permission and pay fees to visit sites, beaches or villages, especially in Yap.
- Pohnpei ↗Sites and reefs belong to families and clans: ask permission and pay any fee before you go in.
At a glance
- Country
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The core inscribed area is about 76 ha (0.76 km²); the buffer zone is larger.
- Established
- 2016
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kolonia
Nan Madol is a 1,000-year-old city of artificial islands and canals on Temwen Island, off the east coast of Pohnpei. Built from columnar basalt logs, it was the ceremonial and political seat of the Saudeleur dynasty until about 1628. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2016, it is often called the Venice of the Pacific. The main ruin on Nan Douwas islet is the centrepiece, but the whole complex of 92 islets is accessible only by wading or kayak at low tide. There are no marked trails, no visitor centre and no services; you bring everything you need.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2016Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2016
The core inscribed area is about 76 ha (0.76 km²); the buffer zone is larger.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kolonia.
Why go
- A prehistoric city built on coral reefs with basalt logs — unlike anything else in the Pacific.
- The main ruin on Nan Douwas is intact enough to walk through and imagine the Saudeleur court.
- The wade-in approach at low tide is an adventure in itself; no other site requires you to cross a canal on foot.
- Very few visitors — you will likely have the ruins to yourself on a weekday.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDriest month; low tide windows are reliable.
- FebDry and sunny; good wading conditions.
- MarDry season continues; low tide in late morning.
- AprTransition month; still mostly dry.
- MayRain increases; paths get muddy.
- JunWet; high tide may block access.
- JulWet; check tide tables carefully.
- AugWet; typhoon risk.
- SepWet; typhoon risk.
- OctDrying out; good conditions.
- NovDry spells; pleasant.
- DecDry season starts; low tide in morning.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangrove crabs and mudskippersAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Fruit bats (flying foxes)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mosquitoes (worst at dawn and dusk)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Parking area | Dirt clearing where you pay the fee and leave your vehicle. | Open; no facilities. |
| Dau islet | The first islet you reach after wading the canal; a footpath leads across it. | Open; wade at low tide. |
| Nan Douwas | The main ruin islet with the tallest basalt walls and the central courtyard. | Open; wade from Dau. |
| Ancillary islets | Smaller ruins and sea walls on adjacent islets, reachable by wading or kayak. | Open; check tide. |
Sketch map
- 1Parking area · Gate≈6.846, 158.327Dirt clearing where you pay the fee.Map ↗
- 2Dau islet · Village≈6.843, 158.330First islet after wading the canal.Map ↗
- 3Nan Douwas · Cave≈6.842, 158.332Main ruin islet with the tallest basalt walls.Map ↗
- 4Kolonia · Town≈6.963, 158.208Nearest town with accommodation and supplies.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates for the parking area and Nan Douwas are approximate; the site is small and GPS accuracy is limited.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (cash only) | US$5 | person | Paid at the parking area to a local caretaker; no change given. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry fee permit or guide
Park rules
- No climbing on ruins
- The basalt walls are unstable; do not climb or lean on them.
- No littering
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins.
- No drones
- Drones are not allowed without prior permission from the Pohnpei state government (check).check
- Respect local customs
- Do not enter the ruins if a local ceremony is in progress; ask at the parking area.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kolonia hotels
The nearest accommodation is in Kolonia, 20 min drive away; options range from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels.
Safety
Wading at high tide high
Coral cuts medium
Heat and dehydration medium
Mosquito-borne illness medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The site requires wading through chest-deep water; not accessible for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- The footpath loop is uneven and muddy; not suitable for strollers or walkers.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no waste facilities on site.
- Do not disturb the ruins or remove any stones; the basalt is fragile.
- Support local caretakers by paying the entry fee in cash.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nan Madol?
US$5 cash per person, paid at the parking area. No change is given, so bring exact cash.
What are the best hikes in Nan Madol?
There are no marked hiking trails. The main experience is wading the canal to Nan Douwas and walking the footpath loop across Dau and adjacent islets. Allow 2–3 hours total.
When is the best time to visit Nan Madol?
The dry season from December to April offers the most reliable low tide windows and the least rain. Check a tide table for Pohnpei and aim for a low tide of 0.3 m or lower.
Do I need a guide?
No, but a local guide from Kolonia can explain the history and help with tide timing. Ask at your hotel or the parking area.
Can I kayak to Nan Madol?
Yes. Kayak tours are sometimes available from Kolonia or from the parking area. Kayaking gives you access to the outer islets without wading.
Is Nan Madol safe to visit alone?
Yes, but go with at least one other person for safety when wading. Tell someone your return time.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Nan Madol
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