Liduduhniap Waterfall

Swimming is very common at the twin falls, Nanpil River and Liduduhniap, which have an upper and lower level. There is a big pool, thatched cabins, and a picnic spot near the falls, which are only a short walk away. The picnic location offers a breathtaking view of pristine tropical jungle and mountain valley landscapes while looking down upon the falls from above. The Liduduhniap Waterfalls are situated on a section of the Nanipil River (Pillapen Nanipil), which flows directly beneath the mountains and receives a lot of rainfall (the primary dam and reservoir that supplies the town with water is just a bit upstream). The higher falls descend 4 meters (13 feet) into a large pool of basalt and offer a breathtaking vantage point from which to see the river valley and mountain peaks. From there, it overflows the lip and falls an additional 8 to 26 feet into a bigger, shallower pool.

Both pools offer great swimming, albeit the first requires more effort to enter and exit. The majority of visitors just choose to leap off the rocks, but you may also cautiously cross the river above the falls and easily descend to the pool from the opposite side (go barefoot or wear five-fingers to avoid losing your flip-flops in the swampy sections). The water is always cool and very clear, with the exception of right after a major storm, making it a fantastic getaway on oppressively hot and muggy Pohnpei days. The deep, narrow valley channels air so that there is always some breeze, which keeps the temperatures down and the ferns moving hypnotically. The depth of the upper pool is unknown; however it is much deeper than you could ever sink after jumping. It is nonetheless advisable to examine the water before jumping because tree trunks and other debris may be washed down from the mountains during flash floods and may end up stuck in the pool's bottom.

Location: Pohnpei