Bikini Atoll
Travelers go to Bikini Atoll for its place in nuclear test history and for wreck dives on ships sunk in the 1946 tests. Access is restricted and depends on a permit.
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Bikini Atoll is a ring of islands and reef around a lagoon in the Marshall Islands, in the central Pacific. The United States tested nuclear weapons there from 1946 to 1958, and the atoll's residents were moved off their home islands. The atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 2010 for that history. Most trips begin in Majuro, the capital.
Go for the Cold War history and for wreck diving on ships sunk in the 1946 tests. Access is restricted, so independent travel is not possible for most visitors, and a permit is required before a trip can be arranged. The climate is warm and humid year-round. Services on the atoll are minimal, so confirm exactly what your operator provides, including meals, water and transfers. Set your dates only after the permit is confirmed.
Bikini Atoll in five
- Confirm your Bikini access before you book flightsVisits to the atoll are arranged through operators, most of them based in Majuro. Ask who issues the access permit and what it covers before you pay for any flight or boat.
- Carry US dollars in cashThe US dollar is the currency of the Marshall Islands. Card payment may not be available on the outer atolls, so bring enough cash for the whole trip.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM and download offline mapsMobile coverage is strongest in Majuro and patchy on the atolls. Set up your eSIM before you land and save maps offline.Phones and eSIM
- Read the test history before you goBikini was used for 23 nuclear tests between 1946 and 1958, and its people were moved off the atoll in 1946. The wrecks and sites you will see are part of that history.Culture
- Get medical evacuation coverMedical care on the outer atolls is limited, so check that your policy covers evacuation to Majuro or abroad before you travel.Travel insurance
Things to do in Bikini Atoll
See all attractions in Bikini AtollNeed to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; confirm Bikini access first
- Emergency
- Not listed here; ask your operator for police and medical contacts
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+12, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, steady wind
- FebruaryDry, steady wind
- MarchDry, steady wind
- AprilDrying out
- MayRains begin
- JuneWet season
- JulyWet season
- AugustWet, squalls
- SeptemberWet, squalls
- OctoberWet season
- NovemberRains ease
- DecemberDry season starts
Right now in Bikini Atoll
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 42%
Bikini Atoll
12:59 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°26°42%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Wed29°27°41%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Thu29°27°34%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 34%.
- Fri29°27°55%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat29°26°63%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sun29°26°67%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Mon29°27°81%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 81%.
Updated 10:23 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- MajuroFlight or boat; ask your operatorThe capital and the usual starting point for trips to the atoll.Read the guide
- Australia & PacificVaries by route; check with airlinesOther island stops and routes across the wider Pacific.Read the guide
- All destinationsVaries by tripOther trips on the site, with routes and planning notes.Read the guide
Before you go to Bikini Atoll
Rules for Bikini Atoll, checked
- Many passports enter the Marshall Islands visa-free. Ask the immigration office or your airline what proof of onward travel they need.
- Visits to the atoll are arranged through operators. Stay with your guide and off any area the operator marks as closed.
- Do not take shells, coral, objects or wreck material from the atoll or its lagoon. Ask your dive operator what is allowed.
- Dress modestly in villages and ask before photographing people. Covered shoulders and knees are the norm outside the resort.
- Ask your operator for the local police and medical contacts on arrival, since help on the outer islands is limited.
Plan around Bikini Atoll
Regions, entry, transport and money for a trip to the country
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights and boats from Majuro to the outer atolls
Read the guideTours and ticketsOperator-run trips and what each one includes
Read the guideMoney and costsUS dollars, cash and where card payment works
Read the guideCulture and historyThe test era and local life on the atolls
Read the guideBikini Atoll FAQ
Can you visit Bikini Atoll as a tourist?
Yes, but visits are arranged through operators, and access depends on a permit. Confirm who issues the permit before you book.
How do you get to Bikini Atoll?
Most trips start in Majuro, the capital, and continue by charter flight or boat, depending on the operator. Ask for the exact route and timings in writing.
How many days do you need at Bikini Atoll?
Most trips are multi-day. Check how many nights your itinerary includes.
Is Bikini Atoll safe to visit?
Guided visits with an operator are the usual way to go. The atoll is a former nuclear test site, so follow your guide and stay off restricted areas.
What is the best time to visit Bikini Atoll?
The drier months, February to April, suit most trips. Confirm the dates with your operator, since transfers depend on weather and sea conditions.
Do I need a visa for the Marshall Islands?
Many passports enter visa-free. Check the entry rules and the onward travel requirement before you book.
How do you pay for things on Bikini Atoll?
Carry US dollars in cash. The US dollar is the currency of the Marshall Islands, and card payment may not work outside Majuro.