Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands sits in Micronesia, roughly midway between Hawaii and Australia, with no land neighbours and a coastline of roughly 370 kilometres distributed across its many atolls. Majuro serves as the capital and administrative centre, while Ebeye is the most densely populated island. The official languages are Marshallese and English, and the currency is the United States dollar. Culturally, the islands blend indigenous Marshallese traditions — including sophisticated outrigger navigation — with a history shaped by German, Japanese, and American colonial presence.

Many nationalities, including citizens of the United States, European Union countries, and several Pacific nations, can enter the Marshall Islands without a visa for short stays. The country maintains a Compact of Free Association with the United States, granting Americans essentially unrestricted entry and the right to live and work there. Travellers should consult the Republic of Marshall Islands government portal for current entry conditions, as requirements vary by nationality.

Bikini Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, carries the haunting legacy of American nuclear testing and now draws technical divers to its fleet of sunken warships. Arno Atoll offers some of the most intact coral reef ecosystems in the Pacific. The Laura Beach on Majuro's western tip provides a rare stretch of uncrowded white sand. Alele Museum in Majuro documents Marshallese navigation history, including the remarkable stick charts used to map ocean swells. The Maloelap Atoll contains well-preserved Second World War Japanese fortifications.

The Marshall Islands has a tropical oceanic climate, warm and humid year-round, with temperatures typically ranging between 27 °C and 32 °C in both wet and dry seasons. The drier, calmer period from December to April is generally considered the most comfortable time to visit. The wet season runs from May through November, bringing heavier rainfall and occasional tropical storms, particularly in the northern atolls. Light, breathable clothing is appropriate year-round, though a waterproof layer is advisable during the wet months.

• Bikini Atoll hosted 23 US nuclear tests post-WWII.
• Marshallese navigators charted ocean swells using stick charts.
• Country sits entirely below three metres of sea level.
• One of the first nations to gain UN membership in 1991.
• Marshallese citizens may live and work in the US freely.

• rmigovernment.org — official Republic of Marshall Islands government portal
• visitmarshallislands.com — national tourism authority for visitor information
• weather.gov/ppg — NOAA Pacific weather services covering Micronesia
• faa.gov — US FAA airport and aviation information relevant to Pacific island routes