Micronesia
Packing list for Micronesia, travel insurance for Micronesia, and taking your belongings
What to take to Micronesia: brief
To check and pack:
- Documents: passport, which usually needs to be valid for at least another 6 months. Many travelers are entitled to a visa-free stay of up to approximately 30 days, but check the rules for your nationality and island state beforehand. A return ticket is often required.
- Money: bringing US dollars is handy. You can sometimes withdraw cash on larger islands, but on smaller islands, cash is often more reliable than technology.
- Personal Care: sunscreen with a high SPF, lip balm, and mosquito repellent. The combination of tropical sun and humidity is quite intense.
- Outdoors and Handy Items: a dry bag, snorkeling gear, and a reusable water bottle. There is a good chance you will spend a lot of time on or in the water.
- Clothing: lightweight clothing for warm weather and something with long sleeves for evenings, mosquitoes, and cooler boat trips.
- Shoes: water shoes or sturdy sandals are useful on reefs and rocky beaches. Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a small first-aid kit with ORS, painkillers, tweezers, and personal medication. Medical facilities are limited on remote islands.
- Mosquitoes and sandflies: bringing DEET or Picaridin is smart. Dengue fever occurs in parts of Micronesia, and mosquito repellents are not readily available everywhere.
- Technology and equipment: a type A/B travel adapter and possibly a power bank. Internet and power supply can be more unreliable than you are used to.
- Transport and travel: an international driving licence can be useful on some islands when you want to rent scooters or cars, although much transport here is still by boat or small plane.
To consider:
- A dry bag for boat trips between islands.
- A headlamp for islands where street lighting is more of a suggestion.
- Travel washing detergent: clothes dry quickly in the tropics.
- A good underwater camera or underwater case, because Micronesia is a dream for divers.
- A dose of flexibility for flight schedules, ferries, and “island time”.
What knowledge is useful when you go to Micronesia?
- Knowledge of tropical heat, rainfall, and UV index helps enormously.
- Additionally, some knowledge of marine safety is useful. Currents, reef edges, and suddenly changing weather can be treacherous.
- Also good to know: Micronesia consists of hundreds of islands spread over vast distances. “Just popping over to the next island” can suddenly mean a half-day boat trip. It's good to have an idea of how to get around
Are there mosquitoes in Micronesia?
- Yes. Mosquitoes are common, especially during wet periods.
- Dengue fever occurs in parts of Micronesia. Malaria does not occur.
- More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.
Are there sandflies in Micronesia?
- Yes, especially around beaches, mangroves, and damp coastal areas.
- They are small, quiet, and often more irritating than mosquitoes.
- Protective clothing and mosquito repellent are useful to bring along.
- More about sandflies and sand fleas.
Can you buy DEET in Micronesia, or other mosquito repellents?
- On the larger islands, usually yes, but the selection is limited.
- So it is better to bring enough from home, especially if you are traveling outside the larger towns.
Can you buy a joint or weed in Micronesia, or bring it to Micronesia?
- Cannabis is illegal for both recreational and medicinal use.
- Bringing it to or having it in possession in Micronesia can cause serious problems.
