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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

Mwahnd Pass

Whip coral drift with eagle rays and napoleon wrasse

Area photo: Zykasaa · CC BY-SA 4.0

Mwahnd Pass, Kepidauen Mwahnd, is a drift dive on the west side of the pass, known for its whip coral. The depth runs from 3 m to 30 m, and eagle rays, reef sharks, crinoids, feather stars and napoleon wrasse add interest along the way.

Also known as Kepidauen Mwahnd.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Mwahnd Pass: typical dive 3–30 m (10–100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit3 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 covers the west side of the pass and is best at 12 to 15 m on an incoming tide. Whip coral is the feature of the route, with crinoids and feather stars on the reef, and eagle rays, reef sharks and napoleon wrasse passing through.

Marine life and season

  • Eagle rays
  • Reef sharks
  • Napoleon wrasse
Month-by-month season rating for Mwahnd 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

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