Marshall Islands
A country of low coral atolls where lagoon water makes up about 98% of the territory, and where US nuclear tests from 1946 to 1958 are part of the story.
The Marshall Islands sit north of the equator in the northwestern Pacific, a country of 29 coral atolls, five main islands and about 1,220 small islets. Majuro, the capital and largest city, holds about half of the 42,418 people counted in the 2021 census and has the main international airport. Marshallese and English are both official, and the US dollar is the currency.
Lagoon water covers about 98.47% of the territory, the highest share of any sovereign state. The dry season runs from December to April, and the wet season from May to November. Northern atolls get about 50 inches of rain a year, southern atolls about twice that, yet drought is common and fresh water is scarce. Between 1946 and 1958 the United States carried out 67 nuclear tests, mainly at Bikini and Enewetak atolls, and some former test islands remain contaminated. Travel between islands depends on small airports and airstrips, so build in spare days.
Five things to know before Marshall Islands
- Check your visa-free or on-arrival status
UK passport holders get a visa waiver on arrival for up to 90 days with an onward ticket, and Canada says its citizens get a tourist visa on arrival. Check other passports with the Marshall Islands authorities first. Visas and entry
- Keep USD 20 cash for the departure tax
A departure tax of USD 20 is paid in cash at the airport when you leave. Keep it aside so you are not searching for an ATM on your last morning.
- Bring proof of measles vaccination
Proof of measles vaccination is required at entry. UK advice says children aged 4 and under; Canada's lists everyone from 6 months old born in or after 1957. Check before you go.
- Get permission before visiting outer atolls
Outer islands are run by local councils and landowners. Arrange visits through the local government or your host, and expect to pay a small visitor or dive fee.
- Bring cash for outer islands
Majuro has banks and some card payments. Outer atolls are cash only, in US dollars, and have few shops, so bring what you need. Money
Marshall Islands travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Who needs a visa, onward tickets and the departure tax.
Read the guideTravel insuranceDiving and medical evacuation cover for remote atolls.
Read the guideGetting aroundThe island-hopper route and domestic flights to outer atolls.
Read the guideMoneyUS dollars, cash for outer islands and card use in Majuro.
Read the guide
Destinations in Marshall Islands
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Drier, trade windsJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, trade winds
- FebruaryRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°DriestFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest
- MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Dry, breezyMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 255 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°DrierAprilRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 323 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°WetterMayRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 376 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- JuneRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Wet, humidJuneRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 345 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WetJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 402 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wet, calmAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 361 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, calm
- SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Wet, calmSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 391 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, calm
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WettestOctoberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 405 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°WetNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 445 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Trade winds returnDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 392 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Trade winds return
Average daily high and low in Majuro, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Marshall Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Majuro
08:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°28°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed29°26°44%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Thu28°26°56%Thursday: Rain. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 56%.
- Fri29°26°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat29°26°44%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Sun29°26°58%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 58%.
Updated 05:52 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands FAQ
Do I need a visa for the Marshall Islands?
UK citizens get a visa waiver on arrival for up to 90 days with an onward ticket, and Canadians a tourist visa on arrival. Check other passports with the Marshall Islands authorities before you travel.
How do I get to the Marshall Islands?
Majuro is served by the island-hopper route between Honolulu and Guam and by a few regional flights. Services run only a few days a week.
Can you dive Bikini Atoll?
Bikini has a famous fleet of sunken warships, but access depends on whether a licensed operator is running trips. Check current status well before you plan around it.
What currency do the Marshall Islands use?
The US dollar. Bring cash for outer islands, where there are no ATMs.
When is the best weather in Majuro?
January to April is drier with steady trade winds. It is warm year-round, with the heaviest rain from about May to November.