Micronesia

A group of islands in the western Pacific: Saipan and Guam (the Marianas), Palau's Rock Islands, shipwrecks in Chuuk Lagoon and the ancient ruins of Pohnpei.

Micronesia is one of the Pacific's three major island groups, lying east of the Philippines and north of the equator. For travelers it mainly means Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, US-territory Guam, the Republic of Palau, and Chuuk and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. It spans several countries and territories and offers the closest South Pacific–style island getaways to East Asia. Saipan has Managaha Island, the Grotto and Bird Island, and was long the best-known visa-free island for Chinese travelers. Guam is a US territory, popular for the Tumon Bay hotel district and duty-free shopping, Two Lovers Point and the Chamorro Village. Palau's southern Rock Islands Lagoon is a World Heritage Site, with Jellyfish Lake, Milky Way and world-class dive sites such as Blue Corner and Big Drop-off. Chuuk Lagoon is the world's most famous World War II wreck diving destination, with dozens of Japanese ships on the seabed. Pohnpei has the basalt ruins of Nan Madol, known as the "Venice of the Pacific" (a World Heritage Site). Plan on 4–6 days per island, longer for divers. Visa policies vary widely (for example, Saipan and Guam follow relevant US rules), and flights usually connect via Tokyo, Seoul, Manila or Guam, so verify before you go. Entry to Palau requires signing an environmental pledge.

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