Beaches in Federated States of Micronesia

Six hundred islands across four states — Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae — spanning two and a half thousand kilometres. Chuuk Lagoon holds the Japanese fleet sunk in 1944, one of the great wreck dives of the world and a war grave. Yap is known for its stone money, discs up to four metres across still recognised as currency, and for manta rays. Pohnpei holds Nan Madol, a city of basalt built on artificial islets from around the twelfth century and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Practically: the four states are far apart and connected by a single island-hopper flight that takes most of a day. Customary land ownership applies to shorelines and paths, so asking before crossing is not a courtesy but the rule. Chuuk Lagoon's wrecks are a war grave with human remains present, and diving them is done under conditions that reflect that. Kosrae, the easternmost state, is the least visited of the four and holds the ruins of Lelu.