Exotic and far away, Republic of Marshall Islands is often described with a single word – paradise.
Jaluit (meaning both “beautiful” and “come here”), the former capital, boasts some of the best scuba diving and marine life among the islands.
There are also day-trips, usually on Sundays, to Maloelap or Mili atolls, where there are opportunities to snorkel over World War II wrecks, watch dancing and eat local food.
Arno atoll, encompassing 133 islands is closest to Majuro and is the only one served by regular public boats. Once a “love school”, a place where young women were taught how to perfect their sexual techniques, the Longar area in Arno is today known for its superb deep-sea fishing, where yellowfin tuna, marlin , mahi-mahi and sailfish abound.
What makes the islands even more beautiful, besides their long sand beaches, is their vegetation. They are dotted with different colored plumeria flowers and Flame of the forest hibiscus. The inhibited atolls are covered with pandanus and breadfruit trees, as well with papaya and coconut plantations.
Transport
There are regular scheduled flights to the atolls, as well as the regular internal flights to the atolls. There are taxis and hotel transport from the airport to the town. Renting a car is another option; driving is on the left. Boats can be rented from companies on the islands, and there are inter-island cruises available.
Climate
Full-blown tropical storms and cyclones are rare to non-existent; however, rains are common from March through April and more so form October through November. Diving is at its best from May through October, although water temperatures are bath like all year round. Temperatures stay between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F) for the whole year.
In the center of the Pacific Ocean, a collection of tiny islands, known as the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is an equatorial paradise of indigenous tropical culture. The idyllic Marshall Islands flaunt unimaginable scuba diving hot spots and private snorkeling retreats. In these waters, you can see abandoned World War II era shipwrecks inhabited by dazzling tropical fish, sea creatures, gorgeous coral reefs covered in emerald fauna, and sea shelf drop offs for deep diving.
Jaluit is favorite locale for the world's most famous scuba divers and aquatic scientists. Maloelap is the final resting place of many WWII battle cruisers and warships that have been commandeered by the native marine life. There are several fishing tournaments throughout the year that cater to big game fisherman. The Marshall Islands is an untouched Garden of Eden in the tropics.
Majuro, the capital and largest city on the Marshall Islands, is perched on an atoll of 64 individual islands. Many of the islands are scant blips of land where you could easily walk from one side to the other in minutes. Some are more like sandbars where you could throw a coconut from one side to the other.
To learn about the Marshallese culture and heritage, visit the Alele Museum & Public Library, which houses numerous exhibits of ancient Marshallese culture, including old-world stick charts used for navigation, replicas of period canoes, and tools made from local shells. The Marshallese ancients were adept navigators that used the stars and charts peppered with shell markers to get around the region long before other Pacific nations were exploring the seas. They are excellent canoe builders and host competitions every year around their indigenous oceanic canoe, known as the "proa".
Up on Laura Beach, you can find the fascinating 1918 Typhoon Monument that was made by swirling sandstone. Laura Beach Park is also the perfect family oriented beach park that features many beachside activities, picnic facilities, lounging umbrellas, and safe swimming areas. Peace Park Memorial was built as granite homage in honor of all the soldiers that fought and died in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.
Marshallese cuisine is rich with coconut milk, breadfruit, taro root, pandanus, and rice. They favor seafood at every meal due its amazing abundance, and also enjoy pig roasted in the traditional tropical style. Communication with the natives is simple as English is the official language, and Japanese is frequently spoken. The locals are uncannily friendly and welcome all travelers to their enchanting island nation. Getting around and island hopping is quite easy with abundant taxis and public transport available.
Surrounded by coral reefs, sapphire lagoons, and dramatic tropical flowers, the Marshall Islands are a largely undiscovered travel secret. Discover the Marshall Islands, and you will know Pacific tropical culture at its finest.
