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- World War II relics on Kwajalein and Roi-Namur — rusting bunkers, collapsed fortifications, old airstrips and scattered memorials still litter the islands; seeing these places in person hits differently because you’re standing on sites of one of the Pacific’s largest amphibious operations. (Heads up: much of Kwajalein is a U.S. military installation, so you’ll need proper permission to visit the base areas.)
- Lagoon shipwrecks and wreck dives — the shallow, warm lagoon hides dozens of Japanese and American wrecks that have become coral-covered reefs; they’re excellent for snorkelers and divers who want dramatic underwater history and healthy fish life in one dive.
- The enormous central lagoon and sandbars — turquoise water that stretches for miles and sudden white sandbanks you can wade
- World War II relics on Kwajalein and Roi-Namur — rusting bunkers, collapsed fortifications, old airstrips and scattered memorials still litter the islands; seeing these places in person hits differently because you’re standing on sites of one of the Pacific’s largest amphibious operations. (Heads up: much of Kwajalein is a U.S. military installation, so you’ll need proper permission to visit the base areas.)
- Lagoon shipwrecks and wreck dives — the shallow, warm lagoon hides dozens of Japanese and American wrecks that have become coral-covered reefs; they’re excellent for snorkelers and divers who want dramatic underwater history and healthy fish life in one dive.
- The enormous central lagoon and sandbars — turquoise water that stretches for miles and sudden white sandbanks you can wade out to make for surreal, postcard-perfect days; the scale of the atoll is what makes this different from your average tropical beach.
- Roi-Namur radar towers and the Reagan Test Site — giant tracking arrays, antenna farms and launch-support infrastructure create a futuristic landscape you won’t see anywhere else in the Pacific; access is limited, but even glimpses from permitted areas tell the story of Kwajalein’s role in space and missile tracking.
- Ebeye Island — real Marshallese life — a tiny, densely packed community across the lagoon where markets, local food stalls and daily life contrast sharply with the base; it’s the best place to meet Marshallese people, try local dishes and understand the social history of the atoll.
- Uninhabited motus and picnic islands (e.g., Bigej) — little palm-fringed islands perfect for half-day trips, snorkeling off pristine reefs, picnics and birdwatching; they feel wonderfully remote but remember many are privately owned or managed by island councils, so check before camping.
- Marine wildlife — turtles, reef fish and rays — clear water equals visibility for turtle sightings, busy reef fish communities and the occasional ray; marine biodiversity here is healthy, so bring a reef-safe sunscreen and a snorkel to make the most of it.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.