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View from a Pohnpei hilltop over the barrier reef, with surf breaking along the reef edge

Pohnpei · Micronesia · Drift · Channel & pass

Main Pass

Drift into the passage past schools of black-tip and gray reef sharks

Area photo: Zykasaa · CC BY-SA 4.0

Main Pass, also called Peinmen, is a drift dive that begins along the northern edge of the barrier reef wall and follows the reef into the passage. Schools of black-tip and gray reef sharks, dog-tooth tuna and occasional lemon sharks are the draw.

Also known as Peinmen.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Main Pass: typical dive 5–30 m (15–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit5 m30 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

No published position for this site — the map shows Pohnpei and its other sites; operators know the mooring.

The dive

The drift begins along the northern edge of the barrier reef wall and follows the reef into Peinmen. It is best below 20 m on an incoming tide. Schools of black-tip and gray reef sharks gather below 24 m, with occasional lemon sharks and schools of dog-tooth tuna, and sweetlips work the reef shelf at 24 to 30 m.

Marine life and season

  • Reef sharks
  • Lemon sharks
  • Tuna
Month-by-month season rating for Main Pass
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodGoodGoodFairFairFairFairFairFairGoodGood

Season follows Pohnpei: Diving runs year-round; the relatively drier Dec-Apr months give the clearest water, while near-constant rain the rest of the year can reduce inshore visibility.

Sources

  1. Pohnpei Diving - North Side Sites — Pohnpei Eco-Adventure Guide

More dive sites in Pohnpei

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Channel & pass

Palikir Bridge

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Palikir Pass

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Wall

Palikir Wall

Outer barrier reef wall with giant clams and white-tip sharks

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Similar dives elsewhere

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