Kosrae
Home of the Sleeping Lady
Seeing Kosrae’s Mangrove Forests In A Canoe | Exploring Kosrae’s Hidden Wonders | Leluh Ruins | Captain William Hayes | Shadows of the Dead | Jenny Olin
 Kosrae State Flag
Kosrae State Government Links
State of Kosrae by FSM Visitors Board State of Kosrae Investment and Business Development Opportunities About the State of Kosrae by Legal Information System 
Wreck of WWII Japanese Midget Tank, Lelu Harbour, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com |
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Kosrae is the eastern-most island in the Federated States of Micronesia, located approximately 600 kilometers southeast of Pohnpei. Kosrae is a 109 square kilometer island, surrounded by a reef. Kosrae is circular in shape, measuring only 16 kilometers across at its widest point. The second largest island in the FSM, it is the only state with no outer islands.
Kosrae's natural resources are the unspoiled tropical island - and the marine resources surrounding the island. It has a dense jungle, is mountainous, and has a lush green interior with several white coral beaches around the rim.
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Sokehs Ridge, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com 
WWII Japanese Guns in Jungle, Sokehs Ridge, Micronesia Photographic Print Elk III, John Buy at AllPosters.com |
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The interior of the island is characterized by high, steep, rugged mountains rising to 629 meters at Mt. Finkol, and is covered with dense, tropical rainforests. Legend has it that Kosrae was shaped by the gods from the transformed figure of a sleeping lady. Indeed, the skyline from several
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parts of Kosrae reveal the silhouette of her head and breasts.
Mountains account for 70% of the total land area, so virtually all of the population (approximately 8,000) lives in five coastal villages. Several sandy beaches break through the mangrove shoreline to provide easy access to the narrow surrounding lagoon. The reef flats that surround Kosrae are considered to be among the most pristine remaining in the world.
A single, partially paved, road on the east side of the island links the villages of Tafunsak and Utwe. The western villages must be accessed by boat.
The surrounding reef boasts some of the most amazing marine life and barracuda diving in the world. Snorkeling and scuba diving are available and several American planes and Japanese ships are submerged in Lelu Harbor. During the December mating season, large numbers of sea turtles congregate near Kosrae.
The largest village is on Lelu, a small island connected to the main island by a 730kilometer causeway. Lelu flourished as the feudal capital of Kosrae from 1400 to 1800 AD. Today the Leluh Ruins, made up of crisscrossed hexagonal basalt logs, bear a striking resemblance to Pohnpei's Nan Madol. The network of canals which brought canoe traffic through the city can still be seen.
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During the peak whaling period of the 19th century, Kosrae was regularly visited by whalers, missionaries and pirates. The most famous was the American pirate, BullyHayes, who regularly hid out in Utwe Harbor at the bottom of which his ship now forms the basis of an underwater museum. Hayes is thought to have buried his treasure in the vicinity, but nothing has
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ever been found.
Kosrae is a paradise to those who like to find their own way around. Good hotels and restaurants have become common. The best advice is to hire a car and drive to the various villages, stopping off at some of the more inviting beaches for a swim and snorkel. Villagers are invariably friendly and hospitable.
For more information about Kosrae or any of the other islands of the FSM, please email us.
And check out our books.
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