Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for the Marshall Islands depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for the Marshall IslandsEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 625-8666
- Ambulance
- 625-3355
Currency
- Name
- US Dollar
- Code
- USD
- Symbol
- $
USD is the official currency. Limited ATMs in Majuro. Cash is essential outside the capital. Very limited banking infrastructure on outer atolls.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 120V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
MHT (UTC+12) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–April is drier — best for diving Bikini Atoll's extraordinary WWII wreck collection (USS Saratoga, USS Nagato, HIJMS Nagato) and Kwajalein Atoll. The Marshall Islands are extremely low-lying — the average elevation is 2 metres — making them among the most vulnerable nations to rising seas.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Guides | $10 USD per day | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress in Majuro
- Swimwear only at designated beach areas
Social Etiquette
- The Marshall Islands have an extraordinary and tragic history — Bikini Atoll was used for 23 US nuclear tests between 1946–1958; the Bikini Atoll people were displaced and many never fully returned
- Bikini Atoll is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to technical diving — the wrecks are intact and eerie
- The Marshall Islands are the world's largest shark sanctuary (since 2011) — all shark fishing is prohibited
- Extremely remote — fewer than 10,000 tourists per year; receiving a guest is a serious honour
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Bikini Atoll diving requires advance booking — only a handful of operators have permits
- All fishing and collection in protected areas prohibited
- LGBTQ+ same-sex activity is technically illegal under old laws; enforcement is rare but exercise discretion
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Marshallese) | Iakwe | ee-AHK-way — means both hello and I love you; the most beautiful greeting in Oceania |
| Thank you (Marshallese) | Kommol tata | KOM-mol TAH-tah |
| How are you? (Marshallese) | Ewi am mour? | EH-wee ahm moor |
| Peace (Marshallese) | Bwidej | BWEE-dej |
| Goodbye (Marshallese) | Barainwoj | bah-RAYN-woj |
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