Skip to content

Micronesia

Marshall IslandsTravel guide

Explore Marshall Islands visa rules

The Marshall Islands are a group of small islands and reefs in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Visitors come for quiet tropical beaches, scuba diving, windsurfing and warm hospitality. Majuro is the capital.

Why go

  1. Quiet beaches at Laura on the western end of Majuro Atoll.

  2. Scuba diving and windsurfing.

  3. Local cultural objects and traditional navigation charts at the Alele Museum.

  4. Deep-sea fishing in the Longar area on Arno.

Getting there

By air

  • Flights connect the Marshall Islands with Honolulu and with Fiji through Kiribati and Tuvalu.
  • United Airlines stops at Majuro and Kwajalein on its service between Guam and Honolulu.
  • Majuro International Airport has the airport code MAJ. Taxis and hotel transport connect the airport with town.

Customs

  • Everyone needs a valid passport. Entry requirements depend on your citizenship.
  • Citizens of the United States and its territories, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, the Schengen area and Pacific Islands Forum countries can enter without a visa. This includes Australian and New Zealand passport holders.
  • Citizens of Japan, Korea, the Republic of China, the Philippines and some other countries can get a visa on arrival for visits of up to 30 days. They need a return or onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months.

Getting around

  • Domestic flights

    Air Marshall Islands provides flights between islands. Financial and technical problems can leave aircraft grounded for days, weeks or months. The flight from Majuro to Jaluit takes about 40 minutes.

  • Boats

    Supply ships travel throughout the islands and usually carry passengers. These ships collect copra, which is dried coconut flesh, and deliver supplies. The journey from Majuro to Jaluit takes about 24 hours by boat.

  • Taxis on Majuro

    Many taxis run along the main road through Majuro Atoll. A ride within the Majuro city area costs no more than $0.75.

  • Bus to Laura

    A bus to Laura leaves from Robert Reimers Hotel about once an hour.

What to see and do

  • Laura beaches

    These quiet beaches are on the far western side of Majuro Atoll.

  • Alele Museum and Public Library

    This small museum in Uliga displays local cultural objects. Look for stick charts used to remember wave patterns between atolls.

  • Longar, Arno

    The area once had schools where young women learned about sexual life.

  • Scuba diving

    The islands offer great scuba diving opportunities.

  • Windsurfing

    Windsurfing is one of the activities visitors can enjoy.

  • Deep-sea fishing

    The Longar area on Arno is a place for deep-sea fishing.

Food and drink

  • Seasonal fruit and local produce

    Available foods include breadfruit, pandanus, coconut, papaya, sweet potato, cassava and pumpkin. Pigs and chickens are also raised locally.

  • Roadside food stands

    Stands along the road from Ajeltake to Laura sell fruit and traditional food.

  • International restaurants

    Options include Enra Restaurant at Marshall Islands Resort, Yummy BBQ, Jitak Take-Out, DAR Restaurant and Tide Table at Robert Reimers Enterprises.

  • Chinese food

    Restaurants include Monica's, China Restaurant, Special Restaurant, Won Hai Shen, Island Star Restaurant and Aliang Restaurant.

  • Other cuisines

    La Bojie's serves Filipino food, The Stone House serves Japanese food and Jay's Restaurant serves Indian food.

Money

United States dollar (USD)

  • One dollar is divided into 100 cents.
  • Markets sell handicrafts and fresh produce.
  • Credit cards and PayPal are accepted for fixed-data internet purchases through National Telecommunications Authority hotspots.

Typical costs

  • Taxi within Majuro city: no more than $0.75.
  • Departure tax: $20; travellers over 60 are exempt.
  • Internet card: $5 for 50 minutes.
  • Fixed internet data: $10 for 100 megabytes.
  • Monthly internet access: $35, plus a $5 setup charge.

Language

  • Marshallese
  • English
Yokwe
Hello, goodbye and love.

Staying safe

  • Watch for storm surges and high tides. Flooding is common because of rising sea levels.
  • The wet season runs from May to November, and conditions are hot and humid. The islands border the typhoon belt.
  • Some islands are closed to visitors because of a United States military presence or contamination left by nuclear testing.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled water even when brushing your teeth.
  • An HIV test is required if you plan to work, live or stay for more than 30 days. HIV means human immunodeficiency virus.
  • Travellers arriving from a country affected by cholera must show an immunization certificate.

Phone and internet

  • The National Telecommunications Authority, or NTA, provides mobile phone service.
  • Visitors using a foreign SIM card may receive a text message offering a local number for use with that card.
  • Add credit to activate the service and follow the text message instructions. It may take several attempts to work.
  • NTA provides internet through a network of wireless hotspots. Speeds can be good, but the service is not fully reliable.

Outdoor adventures in Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands offer quiet tropical beaches, scuba diving and trips to nearby islands. Majuro is a useful base for exploring, with boat trips to Eneko and Arno.

  • Laura Beach

    BeacheMajuro Atollnear Majuro

    Laura Beach is at the western tip of the main island, about 40 km from town. Take a taxi or rent a car. Taxis can be expensive.

    • Beware of storm surges and high tides. Flooding is common.

  • Scuba diving around Majuro

    Scuba divingMajuro Atollnear Majuro

    Arrange diving through Raycrew, on the first floor of Marshall Islands Resort.

  • Eneko Island day trip or overnight stay

    More to doMajuro Atollnear Majuro

    Day trip or overnight; about 45 minutes each way by boat from Uliga

    Arrange a day trip or cottage stay through Hotel Robert Reimers. The boat journey from Uliga takes about 45 minutes.

    • Beware of storm surges and high tides. Flooding is common.

  • Arno Atoll overnight trip

    More to doArno Atoll

    Overnight trip; about 90 minutes each way by boat

    Arrange the trip at Happy Hands Handicraft store, which shares a parking lot with the RRE hotel in Majuro. The boat journey takes about 90 minutes.

    • Beware of storm surges and high tides. Flooding is common.

  • Deep-sea fishing in Longar

    More to doLongar area, Arno Atoll

    Head to the Longar area on Arno for deep-sea fishing. Local fishing arrangements are not specified.

Airports, metros and trains in Marshall Islands

Airports with scheduled flights

  • MAJMarshall Islands International AirportMajuro AtollMain international airport

People and safety in Marshall Islands

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian98%
  • No religion2%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #101 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

71% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 104 of 198 countries can visit Marshall Islands easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required32
  • Freedom of movement1
  • Visa on arrival71
  • Visa required94

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania13 of 13 countries
  • Europe40 of 46 countries
  • Americas19 of 35 countries
  • Asia27 of 50 countries
  • Africa5 of 54 countries

Questions

Where are the Marshall Islands?

They are in the Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The capital is Majuro.

When is the wet season?

The wet season runs from May to November. The climate is hot and humid, and the islands border the typhoon belt.

How do I get there by air?

Flights connect with Honolulu and with Fiji through Kiribati and Tuvalu. United Airlines also stops at Majuro and Kwajalein between Guam and Honolulu.

Can I travel between the islands?

Air Marshall Islands operates domestic flights, but aircraft can be grounded for long periods. Supply ships usually carry passengers too.

What money should I use?

The Marshall Islands use the United States dollar. One dollar is divided into 100 cents.

Will people speak English?

Most Marshallese speak both Marshallese and English. The word “yokwe” means hello, goodbye and love.

Can I drink the tap water?

No. Use bottled water, even for brushing your teeth.

What food is available?

You can find seasonal fruit, local produce and traditional food at roadside stands. Restaurants also serve international, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and Indian food.

Can I get mobile service and internet?

The National Telecommunications Authority provides mobile service and wireless hotspots. Internet speeds can be good, but the service is not fully reliable.

What is there to do?

Activities include scuba diving, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing and relaxing on quiet beaches. You can also visit the Alele Museum in Uliga or shop in Majuro.

Reviewed by