Region
Ratak
Base in Majuro for 4–6 nights; take day boat trips to Arno or overnight to Laura; outer atolls need rare domestic flights.
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Key facts · Marshall Islands
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Language
- Marshallese and English
- Plugs
- A · B · 120 V
- Time zone
- UTC+12, no daylight saving
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Micronesia ↗Micronesia runs on a handful of weekly flights, so one cancellation can cost several days: build slack into every connection between islands.
- Marshall Islands ↗Entry rules are the Marshall Islands' own, not US rules: check with RMI immigration or a Marshall Islands embassy for your passport before booking, and carry an onward ticket.
- Marshall Islands ↗Visits to outer atolls usually need permission from the local government or landowners, and some charge a visitor fee; arrange them through your hotel or the tourism office.
- Marshall Islands ↗Kwajalein Atoll hosts a US Army base: access is restricted to authorised people.
Ratak is the eastern chain of the Marshall Islands, centred on Majuro, the capital. Use Majuro as a base and reach nearby atolls by boat; longer trips require infrequent domestic flights.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
Day trip
- Arno AtollGuide: planned
2‑hour boat ride, village life and snorkeling.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- LauraGuide: planned
30‑minute boat trip for beach and reef activities.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 4 nights
- Majuro 4 nights, day‑trip Arno
- 6 nights
- Majuro 5 nights, overnight to Laura + day‑trip Arno
- Outer atolls beyond Arno and Laura have very limited accommodation and food; bring supplies.
- Kwajalein Atoll is a restricted US military site; no tourist access without prior clearance.
- Medical facilities are basic outside Majuro; travel insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arno Atoll | Majuro | 120 min | unknown | Boat ride; good for snorkeling and cultural visits. |
| Laura | Majuro | 30 min | unknown | Short boat trip; beach and reef activities. |
Bags between cities
No luggage forwarding services exist in Ratak; carry everything you need.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majuro | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | go |
| Marshall Islands (country-wide) | go | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | ok | go |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratak chainEastern Marshall Islands | ok | ok | ok | best | best | best | best | best | ok | ok | ok | ok |
- Ratak chain
- Dry season December–May; wetter June–November with typhoon risk August–October. Trade winds moderate temperatures year-round, 27–30 °C (81–86 °F).Dry season December–May; wetter June–November with typhoon risk August–October. Trade winds moderate temperatures year-round, 81–86 °F (27–30 °C).
Best months are also the peak for island-hopper flights; book early.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | Majuro (Amata Kabua Intl Airport) | Infrequent commercial flights (check current schedule) | check | Flights operate irregularly; align travel with scheduled arrivals. The airport code is MAJ. |
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh tuna and reef fish | Majuro restaurants and local homes | Often served raw as sashimi or grilled; ask at your hotel for a local eatery. |
| Breadfruit and coconut | Throughout Ratak | Seasonal staples; breadfruit is roasted or boiled. |
Go next
Nauru
plannedRegional flight or boat
Next island chain east of Ratak.
Ralik
Domestic flight to Kwajalein or Ebeye
The western chain of the Marshall Islands; access is limited by military restrictions.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids3 partsIn numbers · Going in… · Trips here
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Day trips
- 2, 30 min to 2 h
- Nights suggested
- 4–6 nights
- Ways in
- 1 listed
- Best months
- Apr–Aug
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Trips that stop here
Majuro and Arno
7 days · 5 nights here
Majuro → Arno → Majuro
Majuro plus a relic atoll
10 days · 6 nights here
Majuro → Maloelap → Majuro
Two atolls, slowly
14 days · 6 nights here
Majuro → Arno → Maloelap or Jaluit → Majuro
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Ratak
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