A scattered constellation of remote US territories across the Pacific and Caribbean, the United States Minor Outlying Islands are not a conventional tourist destination but an extraordinary frontier for scientists, permitted researchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventurous sailors seeking some of the most pristine and least-visited places on Earth.

Overview & Why Visit

The United States Minor Outlying Islands is an official US Census Bureau grouping of nine insular territories that do not belong to any US state. They span two ocean regions: the Pacific Remote Island Area and the Navassa Island in the Caribbean. Most are uninhabited, federally protected as National Wildlife Refuges or National Monuments, and off-limits to casual tourism without advance federal authorization.

The territories in this grouping are:

  • Baker Island — Equatorial atoll, National Wildlife Refuge
  • Howland Island — Noted in aviation history as the destination Amelia Earhart never reached; National Wildlife Refuge
  • Jarvis Island — Remote equatorial atoll, National Wildlife Refuge
  • Johnston Atoll — Former military and chemical weapons disposal site; access heavily restricted
  • Kingman Reef — Largely submerged; no land access
  • Midway Atoll — The most accessible territory; site of the pivotal 1942 Battle of Midway; managed as a National Wildlife Refuge with limited visitor access
  • Navassa Island — Caribbean territory claimed by Haiti; National Wildlife Refuge; access restricted
  • Palmyra Atoll — Privately co-owned by The Nature Conservancy; limited eco-research visits permitted
  • Wake Island — Active US Air Force installation; no civilian tourism

Why visit? These islands represent some of the most biologically significant and historically resonant places under US jurisdiction. Midway Atoll alone hosts the world's largest colony of Laysan albatrosses. The reefs surrounding Palmyra and Jarvis rank among the healthiest coral ecosystems on the planet. For the right traveler — scientists, conservation volunteers, serious birdwatchers, wreck divers, or WWII historians — these destinations are extraordinary.

Getting There

Access to these territories is fundamentally different from standard international or domestic travel. There are no commercial airline routes to any of these islands. Reaching them requires one of the following:

  • Charter flights to Midway Atoll — Seasonal charter flights have historically operated from Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL). The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) coordinates access periods; check current availability with USFWS before making any plans.
  • Private or chartered sailing vessels — Palmyra Atoll and some other atolls can be reached by sea. Permits are required in advance from the relevant managing federal agency.
  • Research and agency logistics — Scientists and conservation workers typically travel via chartered aircraft or vessels arranged through their sponsoring institution or agency.

The nearest major international airports to the Pacific group are Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) and various Micronesian hubs. Navassa Island in the Caribbean is nearest to Jamaica (Norman Manley International, KIN) and Haiti (Toussaint Louverture International, PAP), though access is restricted regardless.

Check official sources before travel for any current charter flight or vessel permit programs, as access arrangements change frequently.

Getting Around

Once on an island, travel is entirely on foot or by small boat. There are no roads in the conventional sense on wildlife refuge islands, and motorized land transport does not exist. Midway Atoll has paved paths and bicycles have historically been available for use by staff and visitors on Sand Island. Reef and lagoon exploration is done by inflatable dinghy or guided snorkel and dive excursions arranged through the managing agency or research station.

Regions & Key Islands

Midway Atoll

The single most accessible territory and the one most likely to be visited by non-scientists. Sand Island contains historic WWII infrastructure, a small airstrip, and refuge facilities. The wildlife experience — millions of seabirds including albatrosses, frigatebirds, and shearwaters — is genuinely spectacular. The underwater environment features clear water, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, and healthy coral. Visit windows, when open, are typically limited to a few months per year.

Palmyra Atoll

Co-managed by The Nature Conservancy and USFWS, Palmyra offers a small number of research and conservation volunteer opportunities each year. Its reef system is considered a global benchmark for coral health. WWII-era infrastructure remnants remain on some islets. Access is by permitted private vessel or chartered flight and requires advance coordination with The Nature Conservancy's Palmyra program.

Johnston Atoll

Closed to the public. The atoll was used for nuclear weapons testing and later as a chemical weapons disposal site. Environmental remediation has taken place, but civilian access is not authorized.

Baker, Howland & Jarvis Islands

These equatorial atolls are managed as National Wildlife Refuges. Scientific research permits are issued by USFWS for approved projects. Howland Island carries particular historical significance as the intended destination of Amelia Earhart's final flight in 1937. A small lighthouse marker commemorates this connection.

Wake Island & Navassa Island

Wake is an active military installation under US Air Force jurisdiction with no civilian access. Navassa's status is complicated by Haiti's competing sovereignty claim; USFWS manages it as a National Wildlife Refuge but permits no general visits.

Top Attractions & Experiences

  • Laysan albatross colony, Midway Atoll — Witnessing hundreds of thousands of these large, graceful seabirds nesting, courting, and raising chicks is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.
  • Battle of Midway historic sites — Ruined hangars, gun emplacements, and the Eastern Island airfield remnants offer tangible connections to one of World War II's most decisive naval battles.
  • Snorkeling and diving, Midway and Palmyra — Exceptionally clear water, minimal human impact, and high marine biodiversity make these among the finest dive environments in the US-administered Pacific.
  • Hawaiian monk seal and spinner dolphin watching, Midway — Both species are regularly sighted in the lagoon and on beaches.
  • Dark sky observation — With no light pollution anywhere near these islands, night skies are extraordinarily vivid.
  • Coral reef science, Palmyra — Joining a sanctioned research expedition offers a rare chance to contribute to conservation science in a benchmark ecosystem.
Brown boobies atop pier posts at Johnston Atoll NWR
Brown boobies atop pier posts at Johnston Atoll NWR

Food & Dining

There are no restaurants, cafes, or markets on any of these islands. Midway Atoll has historically had a small galley or mess facility serving refuge staff and permitted visitors, but all meals are arranged through the managing agency as part of visit logistics. Visitors to Palmyra on research programs eat communally at a field station.

All food and supplies must be imported. Travelers should expect simple, practical meals rather than any culinary experience. Pack personal snacks, dietary supplements, or any specific nutritional requirements, and discuss food arrangements in detail with your managing agency contact well before departure.

Best Time to Visit

Access windows are determined by federal agencies, not by traveler preference, but natural conditions vary by season:

  • Midway Atoll, November–July — Albatross nesting season (eggs laid in November–December, chicks fledge by July) is the primary wildlife draw. Historically, visitor access has been offered during portions of this window. The winter months (December–February) can bring rough sea conditions and wind.
  • Palmyra Atoll — The equatorial location means conditions are relatively consistent year-round, though some periods see heavier rainfall. Research programs set their own schedules.
  • Pacific hurricane and typhoon season — June through November brings elevated storm risk across parts of the central Pacific, though the equatorial atolls sit largely outside the main typhoon belt.

Where to Stay

Accommodation does not exist in any commercial sense. On Midway Atoll, when visitor programs are active, lodging is provided in refuge-managed bunkhouses or historic buildings on Sand Island as part of the permit package. On Palmyra, researchers stay in field station facilities. On all other islands, no overnight accommodation of any kind is available to visitors, and camping is not independently permitted.

For the nearest conventional accommodation base, Honolulu, Hawaii offers a full range of hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals for those staging trips through HNL.

Money, Language & Practical Tips

  • Currency: US Dollar (USD). In practice, there is nowhere to spend money on these islands; all costs are handled through permit fees or program charges before departure.
  • Language: English. Any staff present will be US federal employees or affiliated researchers.
  • Communications: Cell phone service does not exist. Satellite communication is used by resident staff. Do not expect internet access; if provided at a field station, it will be limited and prioritized for research use.
  • Medical: There are no medical facilities. Travelers must be in good health and carry a comprehensive personal first-aid kit. Emergency evacuation, if needed, would require rescue coordination across very long distances. Discuss medical emergency protocols with your managing agency before travel.
  • Environmental rules: All islands are protected federal lands. The removal of any natural or historical artifact is illegal. Strict biosecurity protocols apply — boots and gear may be inspected and cleaned to prevent introduction of invasive species.
  • Permits: Never attempt to visit any of these islands without the required federal authorization. Unauthorized landing is a federal offense.
Howland island nasa
Howland island nasa

Entry Requirements

As US territories, the United States Minor Outlying Islands fall under US federal jurisdiction. US citizens do not require a passport to visit, though carrying one is strongly advisable for identification and emergency travel purposes. Non-US citizens must meet standard US entry requirements — including any applicable visa or ESTA authorization — as if entering US territory.

Beyond standard US entry requirements, every visitor regardless of citizenship requires a specific permit or authorization from the relevant managing federal agency (primarily the US Fish & Wildlife Service for most islands, and The Nature Conservancy for Palmyra). Entry without this authorization is prohibited.

For current US visa requirements, consult the US Department of State at travel.state.gov, the US Customs and Border Protection website, or the TravelerPulse /visas section. Visa rules and entry requirements can change; always verify with official sources before travel.

Safety Basics

  • Remoteness is the primary hazard. Emergency services are hours or days away by air or sea. Self-sufficiency in first aid is essential.
  • Marine hazards: Coral cuts can become infected rapidly in tropical environments. Strong currents and surf can be dangerous around reef passages.
  • Sun and heat: Equatorial and subtropical islands offer intense UV radiation with little shade. High-SPF sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, and consistent hydration are non-negotiable.
  • Wildlife respect: Monk seals and nesting seabirds are protected species. Maintain required distances as instructed by refuge staff. Some birds — particularly frigatebirds and boobies — can be defensive.
  • Unexploded ordnance: On Midway and Johnston Atoll, WWII-era unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk has been a historical concern. Follow all staff guidance and stay on designated paths.

Suggested Itineraries

5–7 Days: Midway Atoll Wildlife & History Visit

Fly from Honolulu (HNL) on a chartered or permit-coordinated flight to Henderson Field, Midway. Spend days walking the albatross nesting grounds of Sand Island, snorkeling the lagoon, visiting WWII memorial sites and the ruined Eastern Island airfield by boat, and attending ranger-led evening programs. This is the most realistic "visit" available to non-scientists within the island group.

2–4 Weeks: Palmyra Atoll Research Volunteer Program

Apply to The Nature Conservancy's Palmyra program well in advance (programs are competitive and fill quickly). Travel via chartered flight or permitted sailing vessel. Participate in coral reef monitoring, seabird counts, or invasive species removal alongside professional scientists. Accommodation is in the field station; expect rustic but functional conditions.

Extended Pacific Sailing Passage

Experienced offshore sailors crossing the Pacific can apply for permits to transit or briefly visit Palmyra Atoll as a waypoint. The atoll offers a protected anchorage and is a recognized stop on the Coconut Milk Run sailing route between Hawaii and the South Pacific. All permit conditions must be met strictly; the anchorage is actively monitored by refuge staff.

FAQ

Can any member of the public visit these islands?

Midway Atoll and Palmyra Atoll offer the only realistic routes for non-military, non-research civilians to visit, and both require advance permits or program enrollment. All other islands in the group are effectively closed to general visitors. Check with USFWS (fws.gov) for current access programs, as availability changes year to year.

Are there any hotels or resorts?

No. There are no commercial accommodation facilities of any kind. Sleeping arrangements, where they exist, are managed by the relevant federal agency or research organization as part of an authorized visit program.

What is the best way to get a permit for Midway Atoll?

Monitor the US Fish & Wildlife Service website and the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge organization for announcements of open visitor periods and charter flight programs. Permit applications are processed through USFWS. Demand typically exceeds supply during open windows, so apply as early as possible.

Is Palmyra Atoll the same as the Palmyra you read about in crime history?

Yes. Palmyra Atoll was the setting of a notorious double murder in 1974, chronicled in the true-crime book And the Sea Will Tell by Vincent Bugliosi. The atoll today is a quiet research station and nature reserve; the story is a historical footnote rather than an ongoing concern.

Do I need a US visa to visit if I am not a US citizen?

Yes. Standard US entry requirements apply to all US-administered territories, including any applicable visa or ESTA. Consult travel.state.gov and the TravelerPulse /visas section for current requirements based on your nationality.

Conclusion

The United States Minor Outlying Islands are not a destination you book on a whim. They demand planning that can span months or years, genuine purpose — scientific, conservational, or deeply historical — and a comfort with remoteness that most travelers will never seek. But for those who qualify and make the effort, these islands offer something genuinely rare in the modern world: ecosystems functioning largely without human interference, skies unmarked by light pollution, reefs that represent what the ocean looked like before widespread degradation, and battlefields where history remains embedded in the landscape. For the right traveler, they are among the most meaningful places the United States administers.