Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands scatter 29 low coral atolls and five islands across a vast stretch of the central Pacific. Bikini Atoll's ghost fleet, sunk by nuclear tests in 1946, draws technical divers, while Majuro's lagoon and the outer atolls offer quiet beaches and traditional island life. Flights are few, so plan around them.
Overview
The Marshall Islands are almost all edges: 29 atolls and five islands whose land adds up to barely 181 km², spread across nearly two million square kilometres of ocean. Most visitors spend their time on Majuro, the capital atoll, where a single long road runs from the crowded Delap-Uliga-Djarrit end to the quieter village of Laura. From there, the logic is to add an outer atoll such as Arno, a short boat ride away, or Mili for Second World War ruins, reached on Air Marshall Islands flights. Bikini Atoll's wrecks are reached only on specialist liveaboard trips from Kwajalein.
This is not a resort destination. Hotels are few and simple, prices are in US dollars and higher than you might expect because almost everything is imported, and outer-island visits need planning with local councils and patience with flight schedules. In return you get empty lagoons, superb diving and a strong Marshallese culture of church, family and outrigger canoes. History is everywhere, from Japanese wartime bunkers to the legacy of 67 US nuclear tests at Bikini and Enewetak between 1946 and 1958. It suits divers, history enthusiasts and travellers comfortable with very little tourist infrastructure.
Map of Marshall Islands
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Bikini Atoll
A UNESCO World Heritage Site where the US tested nuclear weapons from 1946. The aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and the Japanese battleship Nagato lie in its lagoon, dived on a few technical liveaboard trips each year.
- 2Beach
Laura Beach
At the western end of Majuro's road, Laura has the atoll's best beach, with calm lagoon water, palm shade and a slower village pace, about an hour's drive from the capital's centre.
- 3Nature
Arno Atoll
A short boat crossing east of Majuro, Arno's islets offer simple guesthouses, snorkelling, fishing and a taste of outer-island life without needing a flight; arrange transport and permission through Majuro.
- 4History
Mili Atoll
Japan fortified Mili heavily in the Second World War; bombed and bypassed by US forces, it still holds bunkers, artillery, rail lines and aircraft wrecks among the palms. Unexploded munitions remain, so go with a local guide.
- 5Culture
Alele Museum
Majuro's small national museum explains Marshallese navigation, including the stick charts that mapped ocean swells, alongside traditional canoes, weaving and photographs of island life before the Second World War.
Biggest cities
Majuro
The capital atoll's built-up eastern end is functional rather than pretty, but has the Alele Museum, lagoon-side bars, dive operators and boats out to quieter islets.
Ebeye
One of the Pacific's most densely populated islands, next to the US military base on Kwajalein; few visitors come except en route to Bikini dive trips, which start from Kwajalein Atoll.
Only Majuro and Ebeye are genuine towns (2021 census figures; Majuro's covers the whole atoll, of which the Delap-Uliga-Djarrit core holds roughly 14,000). Everyone else lives in small villages on the outer atolls.
When to go to Marshall Islands
Best time: Jan–Mar.
Average climate in Majuro
Festivals & events
- SepManit Day
Marshallese Culture Day, on the last Friday of September, brings canoe races, traditional dancing, and handicraft and food stalls, with the main celebrations at the Alele Museum in Majuro.
- DecGospel Day and Christmas
From Gospel Day on the first Friday of December through Christmas, church groups called jepta perform long, rehearsed programmes of singing and dancing, with gift-giving in packed churches.
How much does Marshall Islands cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Breadfruit (mā)
The Marshallese staple, baked, boiled or fried in season and preserved as fermented bwiro paste for leaner months and long voyages.
Reef fish and tuna
Caught daily in the lagoon and open ocean and eaten grilled, fried or raw with lime and coconut; Majuro's restaurants serve excellent sashimi-grade tuna.
Pandanus (bōb)
The fibrous orange fruit of the pandanus tree, chewed raw for its sweet juice or cooked into a paste; a key traditional food on the atolls.
Getting around
On Majuro, cheap shared taxis run constantly along the single main road, picking up anyone heading their way; just tell the driver your destination. Car hire exists but is rarely necessary. Air Marshall Islands flies small planes to the outer atolls on schedules that change often, and government field-trip ships call at remote islands every few weeks. For Arno or lagoon islets, arrange boats through hotels or dive operators.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB120V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +692
- Time zone
- UTC+12 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Tipping is not customary in Marshallese culture, though hotel and dive staff appreciate something for good service.
- Etiquette
- Women should keep thighs covered, with knee-length skirts or shorts, and swim in shorts and a T-shirt away from hotels. Greet people with 'Iọkwe' and ask before visiting outer-island villages.
- Main airports
- Amata Kabua International Airport (MAJ), Majuro
Visas & entry for Marshall Islands
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
British citizen passport holders with an onward or return ticket do not require a visa to enter the Marshall Islands for up to 90 days.
If you are visiting, you will get a visa waiver on arrival. To work or study, you must apply before you travel.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BBat LyssavirusTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Marshall Islands
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Tue 17 Nov 2026 | President's Day |
| Fri 4 Dec 2026 | Gospel Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 1 Mar 2027 | Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Constitution Day Holiday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Fri 2 Jul 2027 | Fisherman's Day |
| Fri 3 Sep 2027 | Dri-jerbal Day |
| Fri 24 Sep 2027 | Manit Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Marshallese
| English | Marshallese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Iọkwe | YOK-way |
| Thank you | Kom̧m̧ool | kom-MOHL |
| Please | Jouj | jowj |
| Excuse me | Jo̧lo̧k bōd | JAW-lawk bud |
| How much is this? | Ewi jon̄an? | EH-wee JAW-ngahn |
Know before you go
- United's Island Hopper between Honolulu and Guam is the main air link and runs only a few times a week, so build spare days around flights, especially for outer-island trips.
- Bring US dollars in cash: Majuro has a few ATMs and cards work at larger hotels, but the outer islands are cash-only and have no banks.
- Visiting outer atolls usually needs prior permission from the local government and landowners; the national tourism office in Majuro can help arrange it, along with homestays and boats.
Marshall Islands travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Marshall Islands?
The best time to visit Marshall Islands is generally Jan–Mar. Peak months are January, February and March. Average highs in Majuro range from 30°C to 30°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Marshall Islands cost per day?
Roughly £80 a day on a tight budget, £150 mid-range and £260+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Marshall Islands?
US dollar (USD).
What plug type does Marshall Islands use?
Type A and B sockets at 120V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Marshall Islands?
Traffic drives on the right in Marshall Islands, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Marshall Islands?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Marshall Islands?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: British citizen passport holders with an onward or return ticket do not require a visa to enter the Marshall Islands for up to 90 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Marshall Islands before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/marshall-islands/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Marshall Islands?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Bat Lyssavirus and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
