Best Things to Do in the Marshall Islands: Beaches, Diving, History & Island Experiences

When I first stepped off the plane in Majuro, the air felt thick with salty humidity and the distant hum of diesel generators. The Marshall Islands are small on a map but huge in personality, and every island I visited offered a different slice of Pacific life.

Getting There and Getting Around

The main gateway is Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro; flights from Honolulu cost around $800 round‑trip in peak season and $500 off‑peak. I booked a seat on a United carrier that departs every Tuesday and Friday, but the schedule can shift, so I set a phone alert a week before travel.

Once on the atoll, the most reliable way to move is by a small 12‑seat turboprop that hops between the outer atolls. A single‑day ticket is $120, and it includes a brief safety briefing that mentions the occasional sea‑sick moment on the open water legs.

• Visa: No visa for U.S., EU, Canada, Australia; passport must be valid 6 months.
• Currency: US dollar; ATMs only in Majuro, bring cash for outer islands.
• Internet: Free Wi‑Fi in most guesthouses, but speed drops after 3 pm.
• Packing: reef‑safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone), sturdy sandals, reusable water bottle.

Beaches You Can’t Miss

Arno Atoll’s western shore holds a stretch of powdery white sand that feels like stepping onto a cloud. I arrived at low tide, and the water receded far enough to expose a shallow lagoon perfect for wading.

Back in Majuro, the public beach at Laura is lined with coconut palms and a modest snack bar selling grilled fish for $4. The bar’s owner, a friendly elder named Lito, will gladly share the story of how the beach was used for World War II training drills.

• Best time: early morning, before the trade winds pick up.
• Cost: most beaches free; snack bar meals $3‑$6.
• Gear: reef‑safe sunscreen, water shoes for coral fragments.
• Safety: no lifeguards; swim at your own risk, watch for jellyfish.

Diving and Snorkeling Hotspots

My favorite dive was at Bikini Atoll, a site that feels like an underwater museum. The wreck of the USS Coxcomb sits at 30 m, encrusted with soft coral and frequented by giant trevally.

For a cheaper, equally rewarding experience, I booked a half‑day snorkel trip from Kwajalein. The guide, a former navy diver, took us to a reef where manta rays glide lazily at 5 m depth. The whole outing cost $85 per person, gear included.

• Diving license: required for depths beyond 18 m; local shops can issue a one‑day refresher for $30.
• Gear rental: full set $45 per day, wetsuit optional (water is 27 °C).
• Visibility: usually 15‑25 m, best in March‑May.
• Marine life: reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, WWII wrecks.

History and Cultural Sites

The Marshall Islands Museum in Majuro is a modest building but packed with artifacts ranging from traditional canoe models to Japanese occupation photographs. Admission is $2, and the docent, a retired schoolteacher, will spend an extra ten minutes explaining the significance of a carved stone called a “bale.”

A short ferry ride takes you to Jaluit Atoll, where the old Japanese administrative building still stands. Inside, the plaster walls are cracked, but the view from the second‑floor balcony over the lagoon is priceless.

• Opening hours: museums 9 am‑4 pm, closed on Mondays.
• Guided tours: $10 per person, usually in English or Japanese.
• Respect: remove shoes before entering traditional homes.
• Souvenirs: hand‑woven mats cost $15‑$30, support local weavers.

Island Hopping Experiences

One night I stayed on Enewetak, a tiny atoll famous for nuclear testing history. The guesthouse had only two rooms, a generator that sputtered at midnight, and a rooftop where I watched fireflies dance over the lagoon.

Another memorable stop was Likiep, where I joined a family for a traditional umbilical cord ceremony. The hosts served taro leaf soup, and I learned to weave a small basket from pandanus leaves under the watchful eye of a grandmother who laughed at my clumsy attempts.

• Accommodation: guesthouses $40‑$70 per night, often include meals.
• Transport: inter‑atoll flights $120‑$150 round‑trip, booking 2 weeks ahead recommended.
• Activities: night fishing tours $30, cultural workshops $20.
• Connectivity: limited on outer islands, plan offline entertainment.

Practical Tips for the Savvy Traveler

Health-wise, bring a basic first‑aid kit; pharmacies are scarce outside Majuro and stock only generic pain relievers. I kept a bottle of oral rehydration salts in my bag after a bout of mild stomach upset on Kwajalein.

When it comes to food, the local diet relies heavily on fish, breadfruit, and coconut. Expect most meals to be served family‑style, and don’t be surprised if a dish is spicier than you’re used to, the heat comes from fresh chilies, not processed powders.

• Vaccinations: hepatitis A and typhoid recommended.
• Cash: bring at least $200 in small bills for tips and transport.
• Time zone: UTC+12, no daylight saving.
• Language: Marshallese and English; a few phrases in Marshallese earn smiles.

Leaving the Marshall Islands, I felt the weight of the ocean in my luggage and the lingering scent of seaweed in my mind. The islands may be remote, but the warmth of the people and the clarity of the water make every mile of travel worth it.