Skip to content
Mixroutes
Palikir
Capital city of the Federated States of Micronesia

Palikir

Palikir is the capital city of the Federated States of Micronesia located in the western Pacific Ocean.

Plan a trip to Palikir→From Okat

A town of slightly above 5,000 residents, it is part of the larger Sokehs municipality, which had a population of 6,964 as of 2024, out of the nation's total population of 106,487. It is situated on the northwest side of Pohnpei island, a high volcanic island surrounded by a fringing coral reef. Nearby to the northeast is the island's largest settlement, the coastal town of Kolonia. It was declared the capital of Micronesia in 1989.

Get in

Getting to Palikir

United Airlines and Nauru Airlines offer flights to Micronesia. United Airlines offers an island-hopper flight, which goes east to west on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and west to east on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Nauru Airlines offers a once-a-week flight connecting Palau, Majuro, Tarawa, Nandi, Nauru and Brisbane.

See

Worth seeing

Sokehs Ridge is a massive rock outcropping near Kolonia. A hiking trail leads to the top for a beautiful panoramic view over the island. There are some World War II-era Japanese guns at the top. A good half-day outing. Nan Madol is a must-see. The ruins of a thousand-year-old royal city. The ruins are on artificial islands, and it has been called "the Venice of the Pacific".

  1. 01
    Capitol of the Federated States of Micronesia
Do

Things to do

Dive and snorkel Pohnpei has very good diving and snorkeling. The diving here mostly along reefs. There is decent diving and snorkeling from Nahlap Resort. You will need a boat for the best diving spots on the island. Kayak Sea Breeze hotel rents kayaks. The rate is $2 per hour. Coco Marina, across the street, also rents Kayaks. See Mangrove Forests There are no natural beaches.

  1. 01
    Kepirohi Waterfall
Eat

Where to eat

There are about ten restaurants to eat at on Pohnpei. At most you can expect lunches from about $6.50 or $7, and dinners between $12 and $20. Coco Marina. Owned by the Neime Company, it is a restaurant with an extensive menu of local and American standards, and the only place on the island to get a proper Caesar Salad.

How locals move

Getting around Palikir the local way

  • Get aroundEven though there are no scheduled bus services on the island, some buses are available to hire or charter.

From Wikivoyage: Federated States of Micronesia, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-08.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.