With its unspoiled coral reefs and prolific marine life, Kosrae is one of the best sites in the world for water activities! Visibility can easily reach 30 meters, and in summer as much as 60 meters. Looking for history? Buried in Lelu Harbor are a US Navy PBY search plane, a US Navy PBM and a US Navy HU-16 amphibious. There are also two WWII shipwrecks, the Sansun Maru and Keikyu Maru, including a 91 meter freight, while in Utwe, the Leonora, Bully Hayes’ ship, has been hid for almost 150 years. Besides the Leonora, Kosrae’s harbors are home to two whaling ships, the Henriet, which foundered in 1843 and the Waverly, downed in 1835
PADI International Resort
To dive in Kosrae is to experience one of the most pristine and diversified reefs in the world
Beautiful hard coral gardens and plunging walls make you feel you are diving in a natural art masterpiece. Sharks, dogtooth tuna, eagle rays, barracuda schools and other exciting ocean citizens come with you in your journey.
Discovering Kosrae Underwater
by Majella Walsh
I came to Kosrae having recently dived in Yap, Palau & Chuuk & been blown away by the giant manta rays, stunning Rock Islands & WW2 wrecks these respective islands had to offer. Kosrae was not so well known & I wondered if diving here would have anything unique to offer. I was not disappointed.
The island is dotted with 72 buoys, which means the pristine reefs remain that way with no anchors causing damage. The reefs are also pristine as the geographical position of Kosrae means that major storms are a rare event. Unbelievable visibility (averaging 30-50m) puts Kosrae in a league of it’s own. If there’s something to be seen you will definitely see it! On nearly every dive I’ve been on with Micronesia Eco Divers, based out of Tree Lodge Resort, I’ve spotted black, white & grey reef sharks, marble sting rays, green & hawksbill turtles, schools of eagle rays, barracuda and jacks as well as butterfly, angel and unicorn fish. Big Napoleon Wrasse & schools of curious batfish are also a common sight.
Dive Sites
We dive all around the island. Our favorites spots are: Walung Dropoff, Hiroshi Point on the South side; Shark Island, Eagle Ray Wall and Split Rock on North; Treelodge on the East; Trocar Sanctuary and Yela Park on the West. And there are many more where we can stop!
Fishing
In the respect of ancient traditions, fishing with us guarantees the perfect equilibrium between man and nature. You can choose between boat or spear fishing with a local fisherman. After the tour, we’ll have what ever sea-food you caught prepared for you!
Wrecks in Kosrae
Whaler Ships in Lelu Harbor. In February 2009, the Archaeologist Thomas Wheeler has been diving with us and did a survey for the Brig Waverly sunk in 1835 and the Harriett burned and sunk in September 1842.
In Utwe, Bully Hayes’ ship the “Leonora”.
In 2005, Mark Stephens manager of Treelodge, ex-pilot and boat captain, did a survey in Lelu Harbor with Kosrae Marine Resources for the Kosrae plane wrecks: WWII USN PBM and the other WWII USN PBM, the Navy HU-16 Albatros.
Still in good condition the WWII ship wrecks: Sansun Maru cargo ship and Keikyu Maru (maybe called with different name because of the translation from Japanese). We are looking for a third ship.
MGT and Coral Watch
New research indicates that more than half of the world’s coral reefs could die in less than 25 years. Human activities and climate change have contributed to the loss of 30 percent of the worlds reefs to date; another 30 percent are severely damaged.
Volunteer divers from MGT are joining a global effort to make a difference every time they dive. Through regular monitoring and data collection dives, divers are helping scientists discover new ways to protect coral reefs from drastic decline.
MGT, in partnership with Project AWARE and CoralWatch, is bringing this simple, non-invasive method of monitoring coral reefs to divers who are passionate enough to make a difference. CoralWatch monitoring charts have a series of colors representing different coral bleaching and recovery stages. Volunteer divers match the color of the coral with the color on the chart and track this information over time.
Scientists will use the data collected to help answer questions about coral bleaching, recovery patterns and how long bleaching events last. Volunteers will track the health of Kosrae over time and compare those will reefs in other regions.
Divers, snorkelers, their families and friends can help make a difference for local reefs by calling Maria Grazia at +691 3707856 or email mariagrazia@micronesiagrandtour.com. For more information about Project AWARE conservation initiatives visit www.projectaware.org.
Project AWARE Foundation is the dive industry’s leading nonprofit environmental organization working in partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to conserve underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.
CoralWatch is a nonprofit research organization from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia and is composed of leading coral biologists aiming to establish global coral reef health monitoring programs and raise public awareness regarding global warming.