Things to Do in Micronesia in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Micronesia
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation rates drop 20-30% compared to winter peak months, with beachfront rooms in Palau and Chuuk running $120-180 rather than $200+ in December through March
- Calmer seas between storm systems make this one of the better months for wreck diving in Chuuk Lagoon, with visibility reaching 24-30 m (80-100 ft) on good days and surface conditions manageable for boat transfers
- Mango season peaks across the islands in May, with roadside stands selling massive Pohnpei mangroes for $1-2 each and locals actually willing to share their favorite picking spots if you ask respectfully
- Tourist crowds thin out significantly after spring break ends, meaning popular dive sites like Blue Corner in Palau and snorkeling spots at Ant Atoll see maybe 2-3 boats daily instead of 8-10 during high season
Considerations
- May sits squarely in the transitional period between dry and wet seasons, which means weather patterns can shift unpredictably - you might get three gorgeous days followed by two of intermittent rain and rough seas that cancel boat trips
- Humidity hovers around 70% but feels closer to 85% when the sun breaks through clouds, creating that sticky, clothes-never-quite-dry situation that catches first-timers off guard within hours of landing
- Some dive operators and tour services reduce their weekly schedules in May or close for annual maintenance before wet season, particularly smaller family-run operations in Yap and outer islands of Pohnpei state
Best Activities in May
Chuuk Lagoon wreck diving expeditions
May offers some of the year's most reliable conditions for exploring the 60-plus Japanese WWII wrecks scattered across Chuuk Lagoon. Water temps hold steady at 28-29°C (82-84°F), and between the brief rain systems you get those crystal-clear windows where visibility extends deep enough to see entire ship silhouettes from the surface. The San Francisco Maru at 50 m (164 ft) and Fujikawa Maru at 10-35 m (33-115 ft) are particularly spectacular right now. Crowds are minimal - you will likely have wrecks to yourself mid-week.
Palau Rock Islands kayaking tours
The limestone Rock Islands are genuinely stunning in May when morning conditions stay calm before afternoon weather rolls in. Launch early at 7-8am and you will paddle through mirror-smooth channels between mushroom-shaped islands, with visibility into the turquoise shallows reaching 15-20 m (50-65 ft). Jellyfish Lake remains closed for recovery, but the kayaking routes through Nikko Bay and around the Seventy Islands still deliver that otherworldly landscape Palau is known for. Temperature is perfect - warm enough that capsizing is no big deal, not so hot you are miserable by 10am.
Pohnpei Nan Madol ruins exploration
May is actually ideal for visiting Nan Madol because water levels stay navigable but the brutal summer heat has not kicked in yet. You will need to boat in from Kolonia, then wade through shallow channels between the basalt log structures at low tide. The ancient city spreads across 92 artificial islands, and with fewer tourists around you can spend an hour at the main royal mortuary complex without seeing another soul. Bring reef shoes - those basalt rocks are sharp and slippery. The whole experience feels like discovering something you should not have access to, which is part of the appeal.
Yap manta ray snorkeling encounters
Manta season runs year-round in Yap, but May offers particularly good conditions at Mi'il Channel and Goofnuw Channel where mantas come to cleaning stations. Water clarity improves between rain systems, and you are looking at 8-12 mantas on an average morning session, with wingspans reaching 3-4 m (10-13 ft). The experience of floating at the surface while these massive animals glide beneath you never gets old. Water temp stays around 28°C (82°F) so a 3mm shorty is plenty.
Kosrae jungle waterfall hikes
Kosrae gets overlooked but May is prime time for the interior rainforest hikes to Sipyen Falls and Sahkalin Falls. Trails stay muddy year-round but not flooded like they get in July-August. The vegetation is absurdly lush right now - think massive tree ferns, wild orchids, and bird calls echoing through the canopy. Sipyen Falls drops about 25 m (82 ft) into a pool deep enough for swimming, and you will probably have it to yourself. The hike in takes 45-60 minutes each way through proper jungle terrain.
Traditional navigation and canoe sailing experiences
May weather provides decent sailing windows for learning traditional wayfinding techniques that Micronesian navigators used for centuries. Several cultural centers in Yap and Satawal offer half-day outrigger canoe sessions where you learn to read wave patterns, star positions, and bird behavior for navigation. It is not a tourist show - these are actual skills being passed down, and instructors take it seriously. You will get wet, you will work the outrigger, and you will gain massive respect for how people crossed thousands of ocean miles without instruments.
May Events & Festivals
Pohnpei Liberation Day
May 11th commemorates the end of Japanese occupation in 1945 with traditional ceremonies, canoe races, and community feasts across Pohnpei. The atmosphere is respectful rather than celebratory - expect cultural demonstrations, storytelling sessions with elders, and traditional food preparation. Worth experiencing if you are on island, though expect government offices and some businesses to close.