Marshall Islands - Facts
- COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
- The Marshall Islands is an indendent country near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the International Date Line. It shares maritime boundaries with Wake Island to the north, Kiribati to the southeast, Nauru to the south, and Federated States of Micronesia to the west.
- The Marshall Islands is made up of 29 atolls, 5 islands and 1,225 islets which form two major islands chains: The eastern Ratak (‘towards dawn’) and the western Ralik (‘towards sunset’) island chain.
- Majuro Atoll is the political, economic and yachting centre of the Marshall Islands.
- Ranked the fourth-least visited country in the world, the Marshall Islands is perhaps the last frontier of yachting with pristine vibrant ecosystems.
- Over 250 species of reef fish, 180 species of coral, 27 species of marine mammals and all 5 species of turtles can be observed throughout the archipelago. It is also the largest shark sanctuary in the world.
- Traditional sailing canoes are still used for inter-lagoon travels and Ailuk Atoll is known as the “Island of Sails” with many canoes being visibly sailed at any one time.
- Fantastic World War II wreck diving and snorkelling opportunities can be had at Bikini, Wotje, Mili, Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls. See Outer Islands.
- Nuclear testing at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls from 1946 to 1958 subjected many Marshallese to serious health problems, however, the four affected atolls (Bikini, Enewetak, Utrik and Rongelap) are now safe to visit. Kwajalein continues to be a missile defence test site.
- The majority of yachts which call at the Marshalls arrive from the South Pacific via Samoa, Fiji or Vanuatu.
- See the MBYC website for much useful advice about the islands.
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If you violate Marshallese Border restrictions and enter any atoll, you may be subjected to a $10,000 fine, your boat impounded and crew/captain jailed until being deported, or on a case by case determined penalty basis.
A yacht has recently (March 2022) been finned $10,000 for violating the above Marshallese Border restrictions.
Commodore Mark Stearns BSME
MIECO Beach Yacht Club, Marshall Islands
2018 Update for Bikini. The procedure for visiting Bikini Atoll has changed for a year. IA (Island Affairs) will issue cruising permits for all atolls, including Bikini, without special fees.
Some atolls may require special permissions due to local conditions but no extraordinary fees are involved. The $5000 fee seems to have been a passing whimsy.
It’s also possible to volunteer to carry needed supplies to the outer islands, the resulting goodwill may even bring in a fee waiver and is a very positive way to meet the locals. Check-in IA to volunteer.
Have visited immigration 4 times this week to confirm and reconfirmed the following. As a Canadian, also applies to all other countries listed above under standard tourist visit, we are now given 90 free on arrival by yacht. NO extensions will be given. You must leave the country and return with new clearance papers from another port to gain another 90 days free.
No limit on how many days you must be away. There are NO 6-month visas. To apply for a one year visa is $200 US each person and that application must be made with 14 days of arrival. The 1 yr visa is invalidated by flying out of the country and on your return flight you are given only 30 days from your arrival.
Be advised there is a surprising new fee for a cruising permit for Bikini Atoll. The new mayor of Bikini will approve your visit to Bikini for only seven days max. For the interesting fee of $5,000.00 USD. YES! Payable in his office, no credit cards.
The previous fee was $25.00, in line with most of the other atolls of the Marshalls, which are usually collected in the office of Island Affairs which issues all the cruising permits.