gowhereandwhen.comAim for January to March, the least-wet months, for the ruins of Nan Madol, the wreck diving of Chuuk Lagoon and Yap's manta season. There is no true dry season here: Pohnpei is one of the rainiest places on Earth, so pack for showers whenever you come.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Pohnpei. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Feb.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Rainy season.
The year at a glance
The Federated States of Micronesia string four states across 2,700 km of ocean: Yap's stone money and mantas, Chuuk's lagoon full of WWII wrecks, Pohnpei's ruined basalt city of Nan Madol, and quiet Kosrae. We rate on Pohnpei, whose mountains catch some of the heaviest rainfall on the planet.
That is why the rating stays low all year: even the best months are wet by any mainland standard. January to March is the relative dry season, with steadier northeast trades, and the westernmost state, Yap, runs a little drier still. Rain comes as short, heavy bursts with sun between; typhoons usually form here but strengthen further west.
Micronesia month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Pohnpei.
JanuaryHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 31
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 330 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
FebruaryHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 43
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 250 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
MarchHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 35
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 300 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
AprilHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 25
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 375 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
MayHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 19
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 430 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JuneHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 21
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 400 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JulyHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 27
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 360 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
AugustHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 24
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 380 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
SeptemberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 26
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 360 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
OctoberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 26
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 360 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
NovemberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 30
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 330 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
DecemberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 28
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 350 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
Where you go changes when you go
Pohnpei and Nan Madol
A ruined city of basalt log islets on the reef, plus waterfalls and sakau ceremonies. The walk is muddy; drier months help.
Chuuk Lagoon
The world's greatest wreck-diving lagoon: a Japanese fleet sunk in 1944, sheltered and divable year round.
Yap and Kosrae
Yap's manta channels peak December to April; Kosrae offers pristine reef and the region's quietest villages.
Best time to visit Micronesia for
Wreck diving Chuuk
Year round in the sheltered lagoon, with the calmest surface weather December to April.
Mantas in Yap
December to April, when mantas crowd the cleaning stations in the channels.
Nan Madol
January to March, when the reef flats and forest paths are at their least sodden.
Surfing Pohnpei
October to April, when north swells light up Palikir Pass.
What is on, and when
Manta season, Dec to Apr
Yap's resident mantas gather at the channel cleaning stations.
Trade-wind season, Jan to Mar
The least-wet stretch of the year across the eastern states.
Watch out
Rainy season
all year.
Where to stay in Micronesia
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit Micronesia?
Why is the weather rating so low all year?
How do you get around Micronesia?
Plan another month or destination
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