Nan Madol

This is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Federated States of Micronesia, due to its unique architectural and cultural significance in the broader Pacific region. Constructed primarily from basalt and coral boulders, the site was the ceremonial and political seat of the Saudeleur Dynasty, believed to have been built between 1200 and 1500 CE. Requires a 20-30 minutes walk over rocks, mangroves swamp and bridges to reach the site. The last stretch would entail crossing 20 metres of shin deep water

Classic screw the tourist experience. $25 entry, or "preservation fee", then another $1 to park a vehicle, then another $3 for the persons house you have to walk past. It soured the whole experience. After the first fee, I drove down the road and missed the side track to the ruins - on the way back I saw the broken sign on the ground. This side track is in very bad condition and my vehicle almost could not make it back up. I parked near the end & couldn't find the way to the ruins and there was no-one around to ask. I spent 10 minutes looking before someone appeared from the house to insist on me paying another $3, (and they didn't have any change). You have to walk past the green toilet block, under the awning and past the green house and then turn left to get to the path. The path is mostly loose, sharp and slippery rocks. There are some precarious small bridges and you also have to wade through channels at different points. It's up to mid-thigh deep at some points even around low tide. Plus some parts were like quicksand and you sink into the mud and sand. The ruins are just that - they are very ruined. All you see are paths and walls. If you've never seen a stone age site before, the walls are impressive. No doubt there were structures for different purposes but there is no signage or explanations. The $25 preservation fee is a joke, as nothing is being done. In fact the whole site is being reclaimed by the sea and with rising sea levels this will continue. I don't really think it's worthwhile driving 1 hour20 from Kolonia to visit this site, especially given the excessive fees.

Truly a wonder to see.. Paid the family who oversee the area, and made our track to site. The stone path to the site is a walk and can be unstable and slippery so be careful.

…went to the nan madol June 12 , 2025. it was my birthday!!🎂 . my recommendation here is to wear waterproof shoe or wear local slippers, its better because you have no choice, you are going to step into the water. This is a comforts place of listening to the sound of the waves and hearing the birds are chirping 💕i truly honored this place what an amazing historical of nan madol, you made my day!! #naturelover#

It's one of the coolest and oldest world UNESCO sites I've seen. To get there, it's some sort of adventure and well worth the hike. There's also nobody there, so not touristy at all.

Absolutely awesome. It feels like an Indiana Jones movie. Visit at low tide, but even then you will need to cross some water. It is 'under new management' which means the entrance fee is now $25 and $3 for parking

You need to cross a ankle deep river (at best) because the bridge broke so wear sandals. You also need to pay $3 then $1 to the respective owners whose land you pass. We couldn’t find them but according to my guide you still need to track them down to pay them, so just holler if they’re not out. You can hire a guide/private taxi for $85-100 but it’s not hard to find and not much is known about the history, so I would recommend renting a car for $55-65 if you can find one.

Nan Madol Ruins, Ponhpei, FSM A friend told us about this before we came to Ponhpei, and we did a little look around online finding VERY little about it. ON arrival, very little more was to be found beyond "we could take you by boat". Luckily a friend who had been in Ponhpei for 5 weeks had done the walk in and gave us the run down. Finding the place by yourself is a bit of an adventure LOL. We rented a car to drive aorund the island and vivist he ruins. The ruins are well worth the time to visit. They are amazing. Think Tikal, Copan Ruinas or Machu Pichu in the Americas, but on the ocean in Oceania. Truly amazing structure and construction for the age and the mystery surrounding them adds to the mystique. It is very obvous that UNESCO and Aid Organisations came in and did the 'Star Trek' "we'll huild you a visistor centre, and paths and 'imporove the site'. They came they huilt, they did the openning ceremony and took the photos, and left it in their wake. Obviously nothing has been done to the site or amentities since they walked away. You can see the run down toilets, the closed and decaying visirtor centre and log bridges that used to be between the islands. Some local tour guides are trying to keep the most imporant ones nailed together, but this site is disappearing again under the jungle. Recommend you plan to spend and hour or two wandering around is plenty of time for most people. We did the drive down from Kolonia in about an 1hr and 20mins down east coast, spent 2 hours, then drove back up the west coast in just over an hour. Couple of things: 1. The site is no longer maintined by anyone, it is very obvious. Some of the bridges have been makeshift repaired, we reckon by tour guides who need to keep the way open for their business. 2. Wear sturdy footwear. I only wore my wetsuit boots from diving thinking we'd be a lot more in the water. The paths are made of coral, and the soles weren't thick enough. Chacos or Tevas recommended. 3. When making the crossing to the main island, a guide warned us to shuffle our feet especially at low tide as stingrays do come along the canals to feed. 4. You want to be reasonably fit to do the walk in along the path that has not been well kept, and it's a bit of a hike in and out on a rough, unkept path