good for you

The tiny island of Kosrae is located in the Federated States of Micronesia. Pristine, and in many ways primitive, this tropical island is the place to come for a real life Robinson Crusoe adventure.

Although that you won't have to sleep rough. Kosrae Village Ecolodge & Dive Resort is one of Kosrae's premier hotels and caters to travellers seeking adventure and a comfortable bed.

Ten traditional Micronesian-style bungalows sit at the ocean's edge under the shade of mangrove, pandanus and coconut trees. Although the look and construction of the cottages is in the traditional island style, the spacious cabins come complete with most modern amenities.

A fabulous restaurant sits at the heart of the village and there are a wealth of activities and excursions on offer.

Kosrae is a stunning island and Kosrae Village a beautiful resort. If you're looking to truly get away from it all then you won't get much better than this.

good for micronesia

The resort is owned by Bruce Brandt, his wife Katrina Adams (two "displaced Californians") and Kosraean Madison Nena. Construction on the resort started in 2004 with the idea being to recreate a hundred year-old Kosraean village. No heavy machinery was used and only local materials went into making the wooden framing and floors, the side panels of woven bamboo and thatched roofs.

The resort employs local Kosraeans, providing a valuable source of income, and works hard to maintain environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices.

Kosrae Village coordinates and hosts ecologically focused groups several times a year. In cooperation with The Reef Check Foundation, Kosrae State Marine Resources, and volunteers from around the world, the resort has been conducting an ongoing coral monitoring program since 1996.

Rooms

Food

The Inum Restaurant has a regional reputation as one of the best in Micronesia. Specialising in local and international dishes, the dinner menu changes nightly, depending on the availability of fresh local produce, chicken and fish.

Seafood dishes include Tuna Saipok (tuna cooked with ginger, lime and soy marinade), Powa (a whole mangrove crab, steamed) and Coconut Smoked Wahoo. Meat lovers will enjoy the Teriyaki Pork Steak, Fijian Kosraean Combo and Hot and Spicy Roast Chicken. The restaurant can cater to most tastes and diets and include a wide range of vegetarian options.

The restaurant also bakes its own bread and cakes, and makes syrups and jams.

In addition to the Inum's large dining room there is a smaller, private dining room that can seat 12.

Features & Facilities

• Daily housekeeping
• Disabled access everywhere
• Internet, telephone and fax services available

See Local Info for more information

Local Info & Activities

Despite its small size, there's a non-stop list of activities on Kosrae. The main reason folk come here is for the diving, but even if you don't want to get your feet wet (much less anything else) then there are a million ways to keep yourself busy. Or, you could just choose to soak up the sun on the beach!

scuba diving

One of Kosrae's crowning jewels is her stunning fringing reef. The abundance of marine life and pristine hard corals make this a prime destination for divers throughout the world. Magnificent, pristine hard coral gardens, breathtaking walls, schools of large pelagic fishes and tons of tropical and invertebrates.

Many of the best dive sites have mild currents and are good for novice divers. However, to help keep the pristine corals healthy, you'll need to have good buoyancy skills. This coral reef is unique in that novice divers can enjoy an easy diving experience, while their more experienced dive buddy will marvel at the sea life.

Kosrae Village offer a complete range of Sport and Technical Scuba classes from experiential to instructor levels. They have a fully equipped classroom available, PADI trained dive guides, and all certified divers can try a Nitrox Experience or a Technical Diving Experience.

Kosrae Village is also equipped to offer diving to people with disabilities. All three harbours have floating docks at the same level as the boat deck. Long ramps with footholds in the centre make access easy and the low deck on the boats makes re-boarding simple. Two of the instructors at Kosrae Village are specially trained and certified to teach divers with disabilities.

surfing

Surfing is a popular sport on Kosrae and a number of visitors come here specifically to surf - both on long boards and body boards. The surf here is, however, unpredictable and all the breaks are on coral.

free diving & snorkelling

The coral gardens that make Kosrae a divers paradise also provide world class snorkelling and free diving opportunities.

coral monitoring on kosrae

Kosrae has several coral monitoring projects that are a collaborative effort between Kosrae Village Resort and Kosrae State Marine Resources. Sport divers are welcome to join one of the monitoring teams - training and logistical support is provided.

hiking

Kosrae has many hiking and climbing trails. In most cases a guide will accompany the hikers, the forest canopy is thick, the terrain is often rugged and the trails cross private land. Hikes range from easy walks through rainforest valleys to vigorous upland forest hikes and rigorous mountain climbing. The mountain climbing is non-technical. At times a rope will be useful, but no other equipment is necessary.

lelu & menka ruins

Kosrae is home to the Lelu Ruins, one of the major archaeological sites in the Pacific. Touring the ancient stone walled capital is an amazing experience. One of the mysteries is how the enormous pieces of basalt were quarried, transported and put in place by pre-industrial people.

Many other historical sites exist on Kosrae, one that has recently been opened to the public is the Menka ruins. No archaeological work has been done at this site yet, so you get to see it deep in the jungle as it has been for hundreds of years.

wwii artefacts

Kosrae was occupied by the Japanese during World War II and has its share of artefacts. Bunkers and a radio station can be seen on the beach and other remnants including rusting tanks are visible around the island. There are also many Japanese caves and tunnels although to visit these will require some hiking.

fishing & blue water hunting

The fishing is all local style on Kosrae, as there are no commercial big game fishing operations. Locally, the fishermen troll during the day and fish at night by skin diving or bottom fishing with a hook and line. Many fishermen are also skilled with the traditional throwing net. Guests are welcome to join in.

bird watching

Kosrae has a large number of birds, including the endangered Micronesian pigeon. Except for the doves and pigeons, a number of bird watchers have completed their lists on the Kosrae Village grounds or a short walk away. The pigeons and doves are generally found inland and require a little more effort.

kosraean handicrafts

The weavers on Kosrae are among the region's best, producing hats, bags, baskets and wall decorations. In addition to offering fine handicrafts for sale, they will show how they gather and process their weaving materials and you're even welcome to try your hand at weaving yourself.

canoeing & kayaking

Several knowledgeable local guides provide outrigger canoe trips into the mangrove channels that have been used by the Kosraeans for transportation for centuries. If the tide is high enough, it is possible to travel all the way from Utwe to Walung by canoe.

Kosrae Village also offers kayak tours through the mangroves, in channels too small to accommodate an outrigger. It is also possible to surf or dive from the kayaks. Some folk have even circumnavigated the island by kayak.

hunting

For years the Kosraean men have hunted the wild pigs in the mountains using machetes and dogs. It is possible to join a hunting expedition, but you need to be in very good physical condition in order to participate safely.

insider tip/s

Late fall and winter (late November to May) brings more rain and cloudy skies. During this time diving may be limited to the South and West sides of the island (where some of the most spectacular five sites can be found). The wind during this period may bring faster currents, which may also bring larger, pelagic fish into the reef.

The summer months (June through October) tend to have less wind which often means calmer water and light currents. The diving is wonderful and easy and can be done just about anywhere around the island.

US Dollars ($) are used on Kosrae. There is one commercial bank on the island, The Bank of the FSM, but there is no ATM machine. The Bank of the FSM can provide cash back on Visa and MasterCard however. Cash and travellers cheques are recommended for stores.

Kosraean is the local language, most people also speak English.

There are a number of general stores, covering everything from groceries to clothing and hardware. If you require anything specific however, or take medication then it's best to bring these things with you to the island.

Sunday is still observed as a day of rest, therefore few stores are open. The Sunday church service offers a glimpse of Kosraean life and visitors are very welcome (Kosraeans are famous for their choral singing). Visitors to the island should wear modest dress during the day; long shorts, skirts and t-shirts will show your respect. If you plan on going to church then you should dress appropriately.

It's important to note two Sunday laws; no fishing or harvesting of any marine life and no consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Sustainability

The resort is owned by two Americans (a husband and wife team) and Kosraean Madison Nena.

The resort has been constructed using traditional materials and skills to recreate a Kosraean village from a hundred years ago which not only resurrected dying skills but gave locals a renewed sense of pride in their history and culture.

The resort employs locals and provides a valuable source of income for many local families.

Kosrae Village coordinates and hosts ecologically focused groups several times a year. In cooperation with The Reef Check Foundation, Kosrae State Marine Resources, and volunteers from around the world, the resort has been conducting an ongoing coral monitoring program since 1996.

Data collected from the dives is submitted to the Kosrae State Fisheries Department for their use in managing the essential reef resource and to Reef Check for inclusion in the International Coral Reef Data Base.

awards

• Kosrae Village Ecolodge was honoured with the 2006 AWARE Foundation Award for Environmental Achievement their Coral Reef Monitoring Program.
• Madison Nena was awarded the Seacology Foundation's Indigenous Conservationist of the Year Award. He is credited with playing a major role in establishing and preserving the Utwa-Walung Conservation Area, comprised of several rivers, extensive mangrove swamps, pristine coral reefs and an abundance of marine resources. Nena is the co-owner and operator of the Kosrae Village Resort.

Getting There

Continental Air Micronesia services Kosrae Island Monday through Saturday from Hawaii and Guam. Note that there is a departure tax of US$15 per person.

Guam is serviced by the following airlines; ANA, Continental Airlines, Gulf Air, JAL, Northwest Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas and Thai Airways International.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Prices are in US Dollars ($) per room per night and include breakfast. Rates do not include 5% Kosrae State transaction tax.

accommodation

Standard Cottage Single $109.00 per night

Standard Cottage Double $139.00 per night

Deluxe Cottage Single $119.00 per night

Deluxe Cottage Double $149.00 per night

Deluxe Cottage Triple $179.00 per night

VIP Suite (AC bedroom) $159.00 per night (single or double)

terms & conditions

• These rates are valid from 01/04/07 to 31/03/08
• Rates include breakfast
• Rates do not include 5% Kosrae State transaction tax
• All activities, including diving, are charged at additional costs
• Kosrae Village Ecolodge & Dive Resort accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

booking & cancelation policy

• A 30% deposit (30% of entire cost of stay) is required to secure a booking. Cancellations made at any time will result in the loss of 10% deposit.
• Cancellations received less than 24 hours before scheduled arrival will result in the loss of 10% deposit plus the cost of one nights accommodation.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.