MICRONESIA

Micronesia is 9 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, in London).

U.S. citizens must show proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or passport). Non-U.S. citizens must show passport. There is a free 30-day visa issued upon arrival for Micronesia. Visitors must have a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Guam is the only state in Micronesia that does require a US visa for transit and entry.

Truk and Palau have a departure tax of approx. USD 20.00.

There is no malaria. We recommend drinking bottled water. The hospital on Weno is adequate to take care of all normal needs. Non-prescription medicines and toilet articles are available from general stores. Prescription medicines must be obtained from pharmacies or hospitals.

Visitors are advised to bring enough prescription medicine to cover the period of their visit. Also, all over-the-counter medicines and toiletries may not be identical to items from their home city.

The water is mostly safe to drink in major hotels and resort, however it’s always best to drink bottled water. A jug of drinking water is usually supplied by hotels and bottled water is sold everywhere. In the tropics it is always important to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to avoid dehydration. Immunizations against cholera and yellow fever are required if the visitor is coming from an infected area.

Typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus shots are strongly recommended. A hyperbaric chamber now exists on Weno, the capital island of Truk Lagoon.

The standard operating power in Chuuk is 110 volt/ 60 cycles. U.S. type plugs with 2 rectangular prongs are used. Please bring adaptors with you.

Dress light and casual for Chuuk’s tropical climate. Cotton dresses, shorts and sneakers or sandals are appropriate for women. Short shorts and skirts are inappropriate attire, especially in more traditional areas.

For men, lightweight summer slacks or shorts, sport shirts or T-shirts and comfortable shoes or sandals. Sunglasses and light plastic raincoats are advisable.

Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the capital island.

The U.S. dollar is used in Chuuk. Traveller’s checks and currency can be changed at banks and at some hotels. The Bank of the FSM and Bank of Guam are full-service banks operating in Weno.

Micronesia follows the American custom and tipping is an accepted practice in restaurants, hotels, baggage handling. The minimum cash tip for Porter service is 1 dollar.

Year round our climate is pretty uniform, at an average of 82 degrees F (27 C). Average humidity: 82 %. Rainfall, at 150 inches/year, can occur throughout the year.

Though sometimes it rains more during July through October, this “rainy season” doesn’t have a definitive start or end, and the weather is always changing and unpredictable. However, it is always dive-worthy, we have never had to cancel a dive trip!

The average water temperature is a warm 28 degrees Celsius, 83 degrees Fahrenheit. For protection in the water, a 3mm wetsuit, full or shorty, a skin, or even a t-shirt pleases most guests.