ehpara is the southern-most islet in a chain of three barrier reef islands. Unlike most of the lagoon islands located inside the barrier reef, Kehpara has the advantage of being perched right between the lagoon and the open ocean. A shallow pass  runs from the lagoon along the islet's northern side and out to the sea, creating a natural highway for marine life in transit. Coral life is abundant and reef fish are plentiful and diverse. In order to keep the reef and its inhabitants healthy, the area was designated a protected marine reserve in 1997. Fishing is strictly prohibited.

Silty run-off from the inner lagoon prevents underwater visibility around Kehpara from measuring up to the outer atolls, but the island still has a lot to offer ocean enthusiasts. The islet's English common name, Black Coral⁽¹⁾, is a reference to a famous coral variety common in the area. Large marine creatures, such as black-tip reef sharks and great barracuda, are seen often, especially in the late afternoon and early evening. A picturesque pier used to jut toward the reef pass, but it was knocked down in a storm and never rebuilt. From the concrete footing of the pier, it's just a couple kicks out to the channel.

Kehpara itself is a cozy, sandy little island with ten simple, thatched bungalows of various sizes. A large nahs⁽²⁾ in the middle of the island is used by the owners, who welcome guests heartily. A freshwater catchment near the nahs can be used for washing, and a brick barbeque area is available for cooking. Kehpara even has real flush-toilets at the back of the island. The owners typically run a generator at night that supplies juice to several hanging lights around the island, but unfortunately is noisy. You can also rent mattresses, blankets and pillows for a couple dollars, if you don't want to rough it too much. The island is covered throughout by large, shady trees which keep the heat down and provide nice supports for hammocks. Views of sunset from the back of the island can be very inspiring. The islets on the northern side of the channel are also very nice, though undeveloped. At low tide, you can find a white sand beach on the eastern side of the middle islet. These northern islands are nice camping spots, but watch out for foraging pigs.

HOME | VENTURING OUT --- Deketik | Kehpara (Black Coral) | Laiap (Rainbow) |  Lenger | Na | Nahningi (Joy) | Nahpali (Fantasy) | Sapwtik (Submarine) | Others

STAYING ON KEHPARA

Black Coral Resort has seven bungalows for overnight stays, which should be arranged with the owners in advance. The popular islet can be crowded and is frequently reserved by local schools.
Bungalows: $13.75 pp/night
Boat transport: $35 rt/entire boat

Black Coral Resort
P.O. Box 1519
tel: 691.320.4869

(1) Black Coral is a common name for various species within the Anthozoa class. These corals grow in extremely fragile flat, branching formations.

(2) The nahs is Pohnpei's traditional U-shaped feast house.

Goatfish (Mullidae):  The fish in this family use small whisker-like projections below their mouths to help them locate food on the reef floor and are usually found near the sandy bottom or around shallow reef.  Goatfish are prized on Pohnpei for their strong flavor. The species shown here is the Sidespot Goatfish (Parupeneus pleurostigma).

• Text by Alex Zuccarelli, 2003.

• Image/Photo Credits: Hut View & hut (main body with modification) photos courtesy of Jay Karolyi ©2000-01.  Gallery; 1-2 courtesy of Jay Karolyi ©2000-01, 3-5 courtesy of Anthony J. Zuccarelli ©1999, 6 courtesy of Daniel Moor ©2000-01.  All other photos, images, and maps property of Alex Zuccarelli.
• All photographs on this page were used with the written permission of their perspective owners, except where otherwise indicated.

 Primary Sources

• Allen, G.R. and R.C. Steene
  1988. Fishes of Christmas Island Indian Ocean. Christmas Island Natural History Association: Christmas Island.
• Ashby, Gene
  1993. Pohnpei: Island Argosy. Rainy Day Press: Eugene.
• Castro, Peter & Michael E. Huber
  2000. Marine Biology, 3rd Edition. McGraw Hill.
• Duxbury, Alyn C., Alison B. Duxbury & Keith A. Sverdrop.
  2000. An Introduction to the World's Oceans, 6th Ed. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
• Levy, Neil M.
  1996. Micronesia Handbook. Moon Publications, Inc.: Chico.
• Myers, R.F.
  1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes: a Comprehensive Guide to the Coral Reef Fishes of Micronesia, 3rd Revised and Expanded Edition. Coral Graphics: Barrigada, Guam.
• Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene
  1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu.

 On-Line Resources

• Charting the Pacific – Cinemedia presents the Nahs
• Island Tide Chart
• A Tour of Pohnpei - Mark Haun
• FishBase.Org