Micronesia Hotels & Resorts

The islands of Micronesia are spread over a great distance, yet each has its own culture and topographical personality. Set in sparkling waters which change shades of colour from deep blue through to sea green, each one is ringed by coral reefs. Your first glimpse of these 'pearls of the Pacific' are specks of land surrounded by necklaces of white waves. Each island is covered in lush tropical vegetation, but the real action is underwater where there is some of the richest and most varied of marine life to be found anywhere in the world.

Capital & Major Centres of Micronesia
The islands vary in size and political status. The most well known is Guam, an American territory and gateway to the other island groups. The others, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae and Yap elected to join a federal government known as the Federated States of Micronesia with headquarters in Pohnpei. Palau and the Marshall Islands voted to remain independent and have established autonomous governments. Saipan, Rota and Tinian became the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (commonly referred to as the Marianas or Northern Marianas) with Saipan the capital.

The People of Micronesia
The whole of Micronesia has fewer than 500,000 people. The region was settled about 2000 to 3000 years ago by an ancient seafaring race from areas in Southeast Asia who migrated into, and successively colonised, the islands. English is widely spoken in addition to a number of indigenous languages, including Chamorro, Palauan, Yapese, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean and Marshallese.

History of Micronesia
The great Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan sailed through the Micronesian islands during his world circumnavigation in the name of the Spanish King in 1521. He was followed by whalers and Spanish missionaries in the 1600s. Four colonial powers have used them as provision ports on trade routes between continents and at the end of World War II, the USA took over their administration.

Nature in Micronesia
The islands of Micronesia are naturally diverse and include high volcanic islands, such as Pohnpei and Kosrae, raised coral islands such as Guam and Saipan, and coral atolls such as the Marshall Islands. The inhabited parts vary from villages, with no cars or electricity, to the sophisticated resort areas of Guam and Saipan. The underwater wildlife is particularly diverse; Micronesia offers some of the most pristine and bio-diverse underwater environments, which make scuba diving here excellent. Birds and plants abound on all of Micronesia's islands.

The Sights of Micronesia
Geologically, culturally and naturally diverse, the islands of Micronesia offer a wide array of natural and man-made attractions.
These range from pristine underwater environments and lush island landscapes to sprawling resort areas with shopping and nightlife. (See individual sections for more details.)

Where to Stay in Micronesia
Each island of Micronesia differs in the types of accommodation on offer. The more developed islands such as Guam, Saipan and Palau have international five star hotels. Guam has some of the largest resorts of Micronesia, with luxury accommodation complimented by a huge range of facilities including kids clubs, waterparks and aquatic activities. Rota also has several new hotels and a resort with an 18-hole golf course. Chuuk specializes in diving holiday accommodation. In the Marshall Islands guest accommodation on some of the outer islands is in traditional thatched huts with few amenities, while the Marshall Islands resort (formerly Outrigger) is a five start spa resort perfect for a luxury getaway, with a spa right on the beachfront.

Food & Entertainment of Micronesia
The islands that are best equipped for tourism offer world-class seafood restaurants. In Guam, Palau and Saipan you can sample a variety of cuisine including American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Mexican and Chamorro. In Pohnpei try the local drink of Micronesia, sakau. In Chuuk there's Japanese and local cooking, and in Rota there is the best of the traditional Chamorro cooking. In the Marshall Islands, American, Western-style cooking and Chinese cuisine go hand-in-hand with Marshallese specialties

Activities in Micronesia
There is a diverse range of water-based activities including snorkelling, kayaking, diving and swimming in the clear blue waters that offer colourful corals and numerous sunken objects of historical significance. There are plenty of golf-courses and a huge range of luxury boutiques as well (See below).

Shopping Guide to Micronesia
Jade, coral, ivory, gold and handmade silks are available plus handicrafts such as trays, baskets, hats, headbands and purses. The islanders are known for their weaving of pandanus leaves and for their traditional stick charts which fishermen have used for centuries for navigation. Guam has a large shopping district with many international boutiques.

CLIMATE of Micronesia
Tropical with little seasonal change. Average temperature on all the islands is 30ºC.

CLOTHING in Micronesia
Casual clothing, swimwear is not normally permitted in the public areas of hotels.

ELECTRICITY in Micronesia
Standard 110 volt.

TIME ZONE of Micronesia
Guam, Yap, Saipan and Chuuk are on the same time zone as east coast Australia. (GMT +10 hours). Pohnpei is one hour ahead of the east coast of Australia and the Marshall Islands are two hours ahead. Palau is one hour behind the east coast of Australia.

CURRENCY of Micronesia
US currency is used throughout Micronesia. Outside of Guam and Saipan, the use of credit cards is very limited, although major hotels on all islands take them. Tips are accepted.

VISAS & HEALTH of Micronesia
Non US citizens must hold a valid passport and onward airline ticket. Australian passport holders do not require a US visa to visit any of the islands, but must complete a Visa Waiver Form. Always confirm current entry requirements with your travel agent.

GETTING THERE
Continental Airlines, Japan Airlines, Northwest Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Pacific Missionary Aviation, Marshall Islands Airways and Air Nauru. All islands are serviced on a regular basis by Continental Micronesia or 'Air Mike' as they are known locally.