Why the Marshall Islands for a Honeymoon
The honest answer is that this is a honeymoon for travelers rather than vacationers. Few Americans come, so you arrive as guests rather than as part of a market. That shows in the welcome.
The diving and snorkeling are the headline. The lagoons are vast and warm, while the ocean side of the reefs is clear blue to great depths. War history lies underwater on several atolls, from Japanese aircraft to sunken ships. Bikini Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, holds a fleet sunk during US nuclear tests in 1946, though access depends on rare and expensive expeditions.
The culture is distinctive too. Marshallese navigators once crossed open ocean by reading swells. They mapped them with stick charts made of palm ribs and shells. Today their woven baskets, fans and mats are among the finest handicrafts in the Pacific. Buying directly from the weavers is one of the best ways to bring a piece of the trip home.
Best Time to Visit
Temperatures are constant, around 81°F on average, with almost no difference between the warmest and coolest months. Rain is what changes.
The drier period, with steady northeast trade winds, runs roughly from December through April. This is the best time for a visit: skies clear more often, the trades keep the heat bearable and the lagoon is pleasant for boating. Note that strong trades can make crossings to other atolls choppy.
The wetter season runs from about May to November, with September to November the hottest and rainiest stretch. Majuro gets more than 120 inches a year overall. Typhoons are rare this far east, but storm surges and king tides cause regular flooding, especially during the highest king tides early in the year.
Visitor numbers barely change by season. Neither do prices. Choose dates around the Island Hopper schedule, which runs only a few days each week.
Where to Go
Majuro is where every trip starts. Our Majuro guide covers the capital atoll in depth, from Laura's beaches at the western tip to lagoon islets reached by boat.
Arno Atoll, visible across the water east of Majuro, is the easiest outer island to reach by boat. It is quiet and rural, known for fishing and for traditional village life.
Jaluit and Mili were Japanese bases in World War II and are scattered with aircraft wrecks, bunkers and guns slowly being taken back by jungle. Reaching them means Air Marshall Islands or a supply ship, so schedules can change without notice.
Bikini Atoll is famous for its sunken fleet but is not a casual trip; dive access has been sporadic for years.
Kwajalein hosts a US Army missile test range and is off limits to most visitors, though you will likely land there briefly on the Island Hopper. Stay on the plane and enjoy the view.
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Fly Honolulu to Majuro on the Island Hopper, about five hours. You cross the date line and arrive a day later.
Days 2 and 3: Explore Majuro. Visit the Alele Museum for stick charts and history, browse handicraft shops for woven baskets and spend an afternoon at the beach in Laura.
Days 4 and 5: Take a boat to a lagoon islet such as Eneko for snorkeling, a picnic and an overnight if a hut is available.
Days 6 to 8: Head to Arno Atoll by boat or to an outer atoll on Air Marshall Islands. Leave a buffer, as flights are often delayed.
Day 9: Back in Majuro for a lagoon dive or a quiet day.
Day 10: Continue west on the Island Hopper to Pohnpei, Chuuk and Guam, or fly back to Honolulu. Going west gives you a stop in Chuuk Lagoon, famous for wreck diving.
Budget and Costs
All numbers here are rough and should be checked when you book.
- Flights: the United Island Hopper is the biggest cost. Seats sell out, so reserve early.
- Hotels: Majuro has a small number of hotels, typically around $120 to $250 a night for the better rooms. The Marshall Islands Resort and Hotel Robert Reimers are the long-established names on the lagoon. Outer atoll lodging is basic.
- Getting around: Majuro's shared taxis are famously cheap, often under a dollar or two within town.
- Food: imported goods are expensive, while fresh fish and local snacks are affordable.
- Activities: dive trips and boat charters to lagoon islets are where most of the budget goes.
- Fees: keep roughly $20 in cash for the departure fee when you fly out of Majuro.
Bring enough cash for the trip, since cards are not accepted everywhere.
Getting There and Around
United's Island Hopper is the lifeline. It runs from Honolulu to Majuro in about five hours, then continues to Kwajalein, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Guam, a full day of short hops. Departures are a few times a week. Other airlines link Majuro to Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia.
Majuro's airport sits on a narrow stretch of land between the capital's main district and Laura. A taxi or hotel shuttle covers the drive in about 15 to 20 minutes.
In Majuro, shared taxis run up and down the single main road and pick up anyone heading the same way. Buses run out to Laura, though not often, so a rental car or taxi is easier.
To reach outer atolls, Air Marshall Islands flies small planes, but they are frequently grounded for maintenance. Field trip ships carry passengers along with cargo, taking days instead of hours. Boat charters from Majuro reach nearby islets and Arno.
Culture and Etiquette
Yokwe is the word to learn. It means hello, goodbye and love all at once, which says much about the Marshallese approach to visitors.
Modesty matters. Women in particular cover their thighs, so swimsuits are fine on a remote beach or at a resort but wrap a skirt or lavalava over them elsewhere. Men should wear shirts away from the water.
Public affection is kept low key.
Church is central. Sunday is quiet, many shops close and loud activities near villages are frowned upon.
Land ownership passes through families, mostly through the mother's line. Every islet belongs to someone. Ask before walking onto private land, picking coconuts or using a beach on an outer island. A small gift is welcome when visiting a home.
The nuclear testing years from 1946 to 1958 remain painful history. Many families were displaced. Approach the topic with care and listen if people share their stories.
Quick tips
- Bring cash: card acceptance is patchy and ATMs in Majuro are few and sometimes empty.
- Drink only bottled or filtered water, even for brushing teeth.
- Women should pack skirts or shorts that cover the thighs; modesty matters more here than on most Pacific islands.
