Things to Do in Micronesia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Micronesia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
86°F (30°C)
High Temp
73°F (23°C)
Low Temp
16.5 inches (419 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden squalls can create 2 m (6.5 ft) wind waves in 30 minutes - small boat operators cancel trips without notice
⚠ UV index 8 means sunburn in 15 minutes even under cloud cover - the equatorial angle is intense year-round
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Trade-wind season means steady 15-20 mph (24-32 km/h) breezes that knock the edge off humidity and keep mosquitoes grounded on outer islands like Yap and Chuuk
- + Manta rays glide through M'il Channel at Yap in December feeding on plankton blooms - the kind of predictable wildlife encounter that divemasters elsewhere can only dream about
- + Village dance practices for January's Yap Day start in December, meaning you can watch rehearsals in open meeting houses without the crowds that arrive next month
- + Federated States of Micronesia airlines just added a third weekly flight from Guam in late 2026, making connections easier than the usual twice-weekly schedule
Considerations
- − 16.5 inches (419 mm) of rain means afternoon deluges that can last 2-3 hours, turning dirt roads on Pohnpei into red clay slip-and-slides
- − Christmas week sees every government office shut down for 10 days straight - good luck getting permits or official help if plans go sideways
- − Hotel availability gets tight from December 20th onward as visiting relatives book every room in Kolonia and Weno
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°C | 23°C | 12.2 inches (310 mm) |
| Feb | 30°C | 24°C | 10.2 inches (259 mm) |
| Mar | 30°C | 24°C | 14.2 inches (361 mm) |
| Apr | 30°C | 23°C | 17.7 inches (450 mm) |
| May | 30°C | 23°C | 19.3 inches (490 mm) |
| Jun | 30°C | 23°C | 16.5 inches (419 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C | 22°C | 17.3 inches (439 mm) |
| Aug | 31°C | 22°C | 16.1 inches (409 mm) |
| Sep | 31°C | 22°C | 15.7 inches (399 mm) |
| Oct | 31°C | 22°C | 16.1 inches (409 mm) |
| Nov | 31°C | 23°C | 15.7 inches (399 mm) |
| Dec | 30°C | 23°C | 16.5 inches (419 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Nan Madol Ruins Kayak Tours
December's higher tides (spring tides reach 1.8 m/6 ft) let you paddle directly into the ancient canal system of this 1,000-year-old stone city. Morning low tides expose more foundation stones for photography, while afternoon clouds create dramatic backdrops against the basalt walls. The ruins sit in a mangrove channel system that stays calm even when ocean swells pick up.
Booking Tip: Book 5-7 days ahead through Pohnpei-based operators - they'll coordinate tides and weather windows. Morning tours start 7 am to beat both heat and afternoon storms.
Chuuk Lagoon Wreck Diving
December visibility runs 30-40 m (100-130 ft) before the January plankton bloom clouds the water. The 60+ Japanese warships from Operation Hailstone sit in 12-64 m (40-210 ft) of warm water, and December's variable conditions mean some days you get mirror-flat surfaces good for snorkeling the shallower wrecks like the Shinkoku Maru.
Booking Tip: Liveaboards book solid by November, but land-based operations on Weno island typically have day-boat space. Bring a 3 mm wetsuit - water hits 29°C (84°F) but you'll be in for 3-tank days.
Yap Stone Money Path Hiking
The 10 km (6.2 mile) stone money trail between Gachpar and Rull villages passes 200+ stone discs up to 3.6 m (12 ft) diameter. December's trade winds keep the jungle paths from turning into the usual steam room, and you'll meet villagers transporting betel nut in woven baskets who'll point out discs that tourists never find.
Booking Tip: Hire a local guide through your hotel - they negotiate permission to cross private land and explain which stones represent specific historical events like the 1870 typhoon.
Kosrae Mangrove Kayaking
The Lelu River cuts through Asia's largest intact mangrove forest - 3,400 acres of towering supate (breadfruit) trees and red mangroves. December's king tides let you access channels that are mudflats the rest of the year, and the Christmas bird count happens mid-month when migratory species peak.
Booking Tip: Morning tides work better - afternoon storms roll in around 2 pm. Bring dry bags for cameras - salt spray gets everything wet even when it doesn't rain.
Pohnpei Waterfall Trekking
The 6-tiered Liduduhniap Falls hits peak flow in December after the month's early rains. The 4 km (2.5 mile) trail from Kitti village crosses six stream crossings - December's water levels mean you'll get wet above the knees. But the trade-off is swimming holes deep enough to cliff-jump from the 7 m (23 ft) ledge.
Booking Tip: Guides won't run this trail during active storms - book flexible and have backup plans. The trailhead starts at 180 m (590 ft) elevation and climbs to 340 m (1,115 ft) - proper hiking sandals handle both mud and slick basalt.
Where to Stay in Micronesia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Throughout December
Yap Day Preparations
Village meeting houses echo with bamboo stamping as men practice traditional dances for January's main event. December visitors get invited to evening rehearsals where you'll learn the difference between sitting dances (for women) and standing warrior dances - plus sample taro preparations that only appear this time of year.
Late December
FSM Constitution Day
May 10th commemorates the 1979 constitution. But government offices stretch celebrations into a week-long break starting December 27th. Kolonia's capital area hosts cultural performances and traditional sailing canoe races in Sokehs Bay - the only time you'll see the massive proa canoes under full sail.
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View Micronesia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The best breadfruit comes from trees that fruit in December - ask your hotel to request 'furo' (fermented breadfruit) from village families, it's the local equivalent of aged cheese
Government radio station V6AI broadcasts tide tables at 7:15 am daily - important for planning Nan Madol visits since channel depth varies 1.2 m (4 ft) between tides
Village stores stock up on Spam and rice before Christmas week - if you're self-catering, shop before December 20th when shelves empty out
The 'two-block rule' in Kolonia: if you need anything official (permits, banking, postal), walk two blocks inland from the main road - that's where locals conduct business, not the waterfront buildings tourists assume are important
Avoid These Mistakes
Assiring English is universally spoken - bring translation cards for dietary restrictions, many elders only speak their local language plus Japanese from the trustee period
Booking inter-island flights for the same day as international connections - the twice-weekly flights get delayed by weather, build in 48-hour buffers
Expecting resort-style service - most accommodations are family-run with 6-12 rooms, 'island time' means breakfast might appear 45 minutes after you ordered it
Wearing revealing clothing in villages - women need to cover thighs and shoulders, men should wear shirts (not just swimwear) when walking through communities
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