Things to Do in Micronesia in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Micronesia
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season tail-end means calmer seas across all four states - visibility for diving and snorkeling at Chuuk Lagoon and Ant Atoll typically reaches 30-40 m (98-131 ft), compared to 15-20 m (49-66 ft) during wetter months. The wreck divers know this window well.
- March sits in the sweet spot before spring break crowds hit in April - accommodation rates run 15-20% lower than peak season, and you'll actually have Jellyfish Lake in Palau mostly to yourself on weekdays. Flight availability from Guam is better too.
- Manta ray season peaks in Yap during March - the cleaning stations at Mi'il Channel and Goofnuw Channel see 15-25 mantas daily, compared to 5-10 in other months. Water temperature holds steady at 27-28°C (81-82°F), which keeps them active.
- Cultural calendar heats up - Yap Day falls in early March most years, and you'll catch stick dancing competitions, traditional canoe races, and stone money ceremonies that tourists rarely witness. The energy across the outer islands is genuinely different this month.
Considerations
- March marks transition season, which means weather patterns get unpredictable - you might see three sunny days followed by two days of steady rain. Flight delays between islands happen more frequently, and inter-island boats sometimes postpone departures by 24-48 hours.
- Some outer island resorts in Yap and Chuuk close for maintenance during March, limiting accommodation options if you're planning multi-island trips. The handful of guesthouses that stay open book up fast, especially around Yap Day.
- Heat and humidity combination peaks mid-afternoon - that 70% humidity at 30°C (86°F) feels oppressive between 1-4pm, and air conditioning isn't universal outside Pohnpei and Palikir. You'll need to plan indoor breaks or water activities during these hours.
Best Activities in March
Chuuk Lagoon Wreck Diving Expeditions
March offers the clearest water conditions of the year for exploring the 60-plus Japanese WWII wrecks scattered across the lagoon. Visibility consistently hits 30-40 m (98-131 ft), and the calmer seas mean liveaboard boats can access outer wrecks like the Heian Maru and Fujikawa Maru without the rolling that plagues other months. Water temperature holds at 28°C (82°F), so a 3mm wetsuit works perfectly. The wreck penetration opportunities are genuinely world-class - you'll swim through engine rooms with artifacts still intact, see fighter planes in cargo holds, and encounter schools of barracuda using the wrecks as cleaning stations. This isn't beginner diving though - most sites sit at 15-40 m (49-131 ft) depth.
Yap Manta Ray Encounters
The cleaning stations at Mi'il Channel and Goofnuw Channel hit peak activity in March, with 15-25 resident mantas showing up daily during incoming tides. You'll drift dive through the channels while mantas circle overhead, sometimes close enough to touch though you obviously shouldn't. The predictability in March is remarkable - guides can time dives to the tide charts and you're almost guaranteed encounters. Water stays calm enough that even nervous swimmers handle the drift comfortably. Beyond the mantas, you'll see reef sharks, eagle rays, and massive schools of snapper using the same channels. Most operators run morning and afternoon sessions, with morning dives seeing slightly better visibility at 25-30 m (82-98 ft).
Pohnpei Waterfall and Rainforest Treks
March rainfall keeps Pohnpei's interior lush without turning trails into mudslides - you'll get that 150 mm (5.9 inches) spread across 10 days rather than concentrated downpours. The hikes to Kepirohi Waterfall and Liduduhniap Falls take 45-90 minutes through thick jungle where you're walking under canopy most of the way, which keeps things cooler. Water flow is strong enough to make the falls impressive but not dangerous for swimming in the pools below. The basalt formations and ancient Nan Madol ruins nearby add archaeological context that most Pacific islands can't match. Guides know which streams are safe to drink from and where to spot fruit bats in the canopy. Expect to get wet from stream crossings and humidity regardless of rain.
Kosrae Village Homestays and Cultural Immersion
March timing coincides with breadfruit season in Kosrae, and homestay families prepare traditional dishes you won't encounter in restaurants - fermented breadfruit paste called mahr, coconut crab when available, and reef fish cooked in banana leaves. You'll stay in family compounds in villages like Malem or Tafunsak, sleeping in simple rooms with shared facilities, but the cultural exchange is genuine. Families take you reef fishing at low tide, show you traditional weaving techniques, and explain the complex clan systems that still govern island life. The pace is slow, meals are communal, and you'll practice basic Kosraean phrases that delight your hosts. This works best if you're comfortable without constant entertainment and can adapt to island schedules.
Ant Atoll Kayaking and Snorkeling Circuits
This uninhabited atoll 15 km (9.3 miles) southwest of Pohnpei offers the clearest water in FSM during March - visibility reaches 35-40 m (115-131 ft) and the lagoon stays protected from open ocean swells. You'll kayak between small islands, stopping to snorkel over coral gardens that see maybe 50 visitors per year. The isolation is striking - no structures, no other boats, just you and the reef. Hard corals here show minimal bleaching compared to other Pacific locations, and you'll see turtles, blacktip reef sharks, and occasional dolphins in deeper channels. The day trips from Pohnpei involve 45-minute boat rides each way, so you're looking at 6-7 hours total. Pack serious sun protection because there's zero shade on the water.
Traditional Navigation and Canoe Building Workshops
Yap and outer islands maintain traditional navigation schools where master navigators teach star compass techniques, wave pattern reading, and canoe construction methods passed down for centuries. March workshops in Yap proper sometimes align with Yap Day preparations, giving you access to canoe-building demonstrations and chances to sail traditional wa'ab canoes in the lagoon. You'll learn how navigators memorized 32 star paths, read bird behavior to locate land, and interpret subtle wave refractions around islands. The workshops aren't touristy performances - these are working sessions where younger Yapese learn from elders, and you're observing genuine knowledge transmission. Some outer island communities in Yap State offer week-long immersions, but logistics get complicated.
March Events & Festivals
Yap Day Cultural Festival
The biggest cultural event in FSM, typically held the first weekend of March. You'll see traditional stick dancing competitions between villages, outrigger canoe races in the harbor, stone money exchanges that demonstrate ancient wealth systems, and demonstrations of traditional crafts like weaving and tattooing. The festival draws outer islanders who perform dances rarely seen on Yap proper, wearing flower leis and grass skirts that vary by island origin. Food stalls sell local specialties like taro, breadfruit, and fresh reef fish. The atmosphere is genuinely celebratory rather than tourist-focused, though visitors are welcomed warmly. Accommodations across Yap book solid for this weekend, so plan 2-3 months ahead if you're timing your trip around it.