Pohnpei (Ponape)

Pohnpei State is composed of one island, eight outlying atolls, and a reef. It lies about halfway between Honolulu and Manilla. Pohnpei itself is a lush, rugged, high volcanic island, the largest in the FSM.

Sokeh's Rock Sokeh's Rock

With some sixteen feet of annual rainfall, it has beautiful waterfalls, dense coastal mangrove forests, interior rainforests, but no beaches.

Kepirohi Falls

Kolonia, on the northwest side, is the capital of the FSM. Pohnpei has a rich folklore tradition. The island is most famous for the spectacular ruins of Nan Madol off the eastern coast.

Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol (with Ann Santos, WA1S) Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol Nan Madol

Pohnpei is surrounded by a barrier reed with numerous channels.

coral scene sea fan (with Paul) soft coral scene crinoid scene coral scene

We were privileged to be diving with nudibranch expert Scott Johnson, who helped find Paul his favorite critters....

Aegires minor

Notodoris minor

Nembrotha kubaryana

Nembrotha kubaryana

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Phylidella pustulosa

Ardeadoris egretta

Aegires gardineri

Notodoris gardineri

Gray Norse god, Aegires serenae

Notodoris sp.

Phyllidia madangensis

Phyllidia tula

... and one flatworm, Thysanozoon sp.

The channels attract manta rays, Manta birostris, to cleaning stations.

manta manta

Other species of fish...

Sabre squirrelfish, Sargocentron spiniferum

Goby

Common lionfish, Pterois volitans

lionfish

Golden damsel, Amblyglyhidodon aureus

lemon damsel

Blacklip butterflyfish, Chaetodon kleinii

Pixy hawkfish (red morph), Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus

hawkfish

...clownfish...

Pink anemonefish, Amphiprion perideraion

clownfish

Orange-finned anemonefish, Amphiprion chrysopterus

clownfish clownfish

... soft coral...

soft coral and tunichates soft coral, fire coral, and tunichates pink soft coral soft coral and crinoid soft coral soft coral

...macro life...

tunichate octocoral coral closeup

...sea stars...

Blue sea star, Linckia laevigata

blue sea star

Granular sea star, Choriaster granulatus

Tonga sea star

Velvety sea star, Loiaster spectosus

red sea star

Crown-of-thorns sea star, Acanthaster planci

crown-of-thorns sea star

Warty sea star, Echinaster callosus

knobby sea star

Giant basket star,Astrobon nuda

basket star

...crustaceans...

Painted spiny lobster, Panulirus versicolor

lobster

Hermit crab

hermit crab

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Last modified 30 November 2017