Majuro Itinerary: 5 Days in the Marshall Islands

This five-day Majuro itinerary includes travel around the main island and across Majuro Lagoon. Here’s a quick rundown of how to get around Majuro in five days.

Road Transport on Majuro

The first road transport you’ll encounter is your airport transfer from Amata Kabua International Airport. This can be arranged through your accommodation, taken by taxi or handled by having your rental vehicle delivered.

For travelling around Majuro, car rental is the most flexible option and the one we recommend for this itinerary. It gives you the freedom to reach activities around the atoll, stop at attractions along the way and work around boat departure times without relying on another driver’s schedule. Get prepared with What You Need to Hire a Car in the Marshall Islands.

Taxis are a practical alternative, particularly around Delap, Uliga and Djarrit (Rita), where shared taxis are plentiful. For longer trips or early-morning boat departures, arrange a driver in advance and confirm whether the fare is per person or for the whole vehicle, as explained in Taxis in Majuro & the Marshall Islands: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.

Boat Transport on the Majuro Lagoon

Boat transfers are the main way to reach the lagoon islands included in this itinerary. For destinations such as Eneko Island or Bokanbotin Island, transfers are usually arranged directly through the accommodation or boat operator, with the pick-up point and return time agreed in advance.

For more advice, check out the A Guide to Boat Transfers & Charters in the Marshall Islands.

Or, for all of your transport options, including scooter and bicycle rentals, check out the Majuro Transport Guide: 15 Ways to Get to (& Around) Majuro.

Welcome to Majuro! After landing at Amata Kabua International Airport, collect your rental vehicle or take a taxi or pre-arranged transfer to your accommodation.

Check in, leave your luggage and take a moment to settle into island time. You do not need to launch into a full sightseeing circuit today, but a visit to the Alele Museum provides an excellent introduction to the places and traditions you will encounter throughout this five-day trip.

Learn more about reaching your accommodation in The Best Airport Transfers in Majuro & the Marshall Islands.

Visit the Alele Museum

If your flight arrives early enough and the museum is open, head to the Alele Museum in Uliga.

Its compact galleries introduce Marshallese history, traditional navigation, weaving, fishing, chiefly culture and the lasting impact of nuclear testing. Visiting at the beginning of your trip gives useful context to everything from traditional canoes to the handicrafts you will see later.

Entry and guided tours are free, although donations are appreciated. Check opening hours before travelling, and move the visit to the next available morning if you arrive late or land on a day when the museum is closed.

Learn more in The Best Museums in the Marshall Islands.

Stop at the Tourism Office

After the museum, stop by the Office of Commerce, Trade and Tourism (OCIT), located beneath Hotel Robert Reimers.

This is a useful place to request current visitor information and contact details for local operators. Ask about fishing charters, lagoon cruises, boat transfers and any other activities you hope to arrange during your stay, as schedules and availability can be fairly informal.

You can also check the Office of Commerce, Trade and Tourism website before your trip.

Getting Settled

Those staying at Ajeltake Beach House or Tuwaakin Beach Apartments can start the holiday with a refreshing dip from the beach. The property’s peaceful setting makes it an especially good place to recover from the flight, although you may struggle to convince yourself to get out of the water again.

If you are staying at the Marshall Islands Resort (MIR) or Hotel Robert Reimers (RRE), settle in with a drink and an easy meal at the hotel. Both put dinner within a very manageable walk of your room, which is exactly the level of ambition we recommend for the first evening.

Learn more about these stays in Where to Stay on Majuro: 10 Best Accommodations.

Where to Stay: Budget Accommodation

• Ocean Whisper Guesthouse (Delap-Uliga-Djarrit)

Where to Stay: Mid-Range Accommodation

• Hotel Robert Reimers (Delap-Uliga-Djarrit)
• Marshall Islands Resort (Delap-Uliga-Djarrit)
• Lojkar Apartments & Hotel (Rairok)
• Beach Lodge Hotel & Apartments (Rairok)

Where to Stay: Holiday Homes/Airbnbs

• Ajeltake Beach House (Ajeltake)
• Tuwaakin Beach Apartments (Ajeltake)

For more details on all of these stays, check out Where to Stay on Majuro: 10 Best Accommodations.

Dining Recommendations

If you arrive in time for lunch, follow the local approach and browse small shops, petrol stations or takeaway counters. Look for warm tōñut, the Marshallese version of a doughnut, or try a creamy pandanus bōbshake from Lokoben.

Discover more local treats in 10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Marshall Islands.

For dinner, head to Riwut Restaurant at Riwut Corner in Uliga. Its “Local Combo” pairs reef fish or tuna steak with four Marshallese side dishes and a glass of jekaro, allowing you to sample several local flavours without spending the evening deciphering the menu.

It is one of the easiest introductions to Marshallese cooking, particularly when traditional dishes can otherwise be difficult to find in restaurants. Read more in The Food Guide to the Marshall Islands: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Dedicate today to the water and choose the lagoon adventure that suits you best. Ideally, you will have arranged your trip earlier in the week, as Majuro’s boat and dive operators are small, departures depend on demand and sea conditions can reshuffle even the best-laid plans.

Snorkelling or Scuba Diving

For snorkelling or scuba diving, join Raycrew Marine Services at the Marshall Islands Resort. The team visits around 10 to 12 lagoon sites suitable for experienced divers, beginners and snorkellers travelling alongside the dive boat.

One highlight is the “Enemanit Wrecks” near Enemanit Island, where a plane, helicopter and shipwreck rest at depths of approximately 16-50 ft (5-15 m). Other possible sites include the tide-dependent “Aquarium”, where sharks, jackfish and napoleonfish may appear, along with coral-covered “Mountain”, “No. 9” and “Heaven’s Hill”.

For more information, head to The Best Dive Shops & Operators in the Marshall Islands and 5 Best Snorkelling Tours in Majuro & the Marshall Islands.

Fishing on Majuro Lagoon

For a full day of fishing, book with Hang Loose or Salty Services.

Hang Loose charters accommodate up to seven guests and target marlin, tuna, wahoo and other pelagic fish. Fishing gear, ice and a cooler are included, while lunch can be brought from town or added to the charter.

Salty Services offers full-day trips for up to six passengers, with fishing gear and a meal included. Trolling is the speciality, with possible catches including skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, mahimahi, wahoo, barracuda and the occasional marlin.

See The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in the Marshall Islands to learn more.

Spend the Day Exploring the Lagoon

Those who prefer a gentler day can arrange an island-hopping or private lagoon trip, combining time on a remote island with snorkelling stops around giant clam sites.

It is a good choice for families or mixed groups where some travellers want to snorkel while others would rather stay on the beach. Pack drinking water, sun protection and any extra snacks agreed with the operator, then prepare for another day in which shoes become largely decorative.

Find more options in 10 Best Boat Tours in Majuro & the Marshall Islands.

Dining Recommendation

After returning to shore, head to Toeak Bar & Grill on Lagoon Road in Uliga. Perched at the top of Majuro’s tallest “skyscraper”, the restaurant pairs elevated lagoon and town views with a relaxed menu of burgers, tacos, ramen, seafood, poke and sashimi.

Toeak is particularly appealing after an island stay, when one person wants fresh fish and somebody else has been thinking about a burger since breakfast. You can also order a cocktail made with local Bōb Whisky for an easy introduction to Majuro’s pandanus spirit.

Arrive around sunset for the best atmosphere. Find more dining ideas in the 15 Best Restaurants in Majuro & the Marshall Islands.

Spend today experiencing two sides of Marshallese culture, first on the lagoon aboard a traditional canoe, then in Majuro’s handicraft shops among woven baskets, shell jewellery and intricate amimono.

This day works best on a weekday, when traditional canoe sailing is available. If today falls on a Saturday, you can do Elefa’s handicraft workshop instead.

Sail a Traditional Marshallese Canoe

Begin at WAAN Aelõñ in Majel, meaning Canoes of the Marshall Islands.

Start inside the organisation’s small museum, where models and displays explain how traditional canoes were built using pandanus-woven sails and sennit rope made from coconut fibre.

Then head onto Majuro Lagoon for a 30-minute sail aboard a traditional Marshallese canoe. The experience is peaceful rather than high-speed, giving you time to appreciate the canoe’s design and the skill needed to guide it across the lagoon.

Up to 12 people can participate, although solo travellers are welcome. Book ahead for a weekday and keep your timing flexible, as sailing depends on suitable wind and tide conditions.

Find more information in 30 Best Things to Do on Majuro.

Shop for Marshallese Handicrafts

Spend the afternoon browsing Majuro’s handicraft shops for woven baskets, bags, mats, shell jewellery, model canoes and decorative amimono.

Elefa has one of the widest selections, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, magnets and pieces made by artisans from Majuro and the outer islands. Leipajid, Happy Hands, Lokoben and Mon LiSaitem offer more opportunities to compare designs and find something that will fit into your luggage without requiring a suitcase expansion strategy.

If today falls on a Saturday, book Elefa’s one-hour handicraft workshop. Local artisans will help you make a necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings, with all materials supplied.

Plan your shopping route with The Guide to Shopping in the Marshall Islands + The Best Places to Shop.

Dining Recommendations

After your morning activity, head to The Food Truck 692 at Delap Park for lunch. Its Mexican-inspired takeaway menu includes fish tacos, burritos, burrito bowls and generous mixed plates. Pick up your meal and find a shady spot nearby, which is generally more appealing than spending the middle of the day inside a restaurant.

Finish the day with sunset drinks at Jittak Likatu Bar & Grill. Order one of the pūpū platters to share, then settle in as the evening light spreads across the lagoon.

The bar is also a good place to try a cocktail made with local Bōb Whisky, produced from pandanus. After a day spent learning about Marshallese traditions, it is a suitably relaxed way to toast the final evening before your picnic-island escape.

Find more evening options in The Ultimate Guide to the Majuro & Marshall Islands Nightlife.

Make your final night in Majuro Atoll one to remember by checking out of your hotel and treating yourself to an overnight escape on one of the small islands scattered across Majuro Lagoon. Choose between Bokanbotin Island, Bikendrik Island or Eneko Island, then arrange your accommodation and boat transfer well in advance.

Choose Your Picnic Island

Bokanbotin Island Resort is our top pick for snorkelling. Swim directly from the island into its protected marine area, look for giant clams beneath the coral drop-off and follow the ten-minute “COVID Trail” around the island.

Between swims, claim a spot at the waterfront “Bus Stop” gazebo and watch boats pass through the channel. Despite the name, the timetable remains disappointingly empty.

Eneko Island Getaway is an easy-going choice with white sand, calm lagoon water and basic but affordable overnight accommodation. Spend the afternoon snorkelling on the lagoon side, swimming, beachcombing or simply wandering around the island without any particular destination in mind.

Bikendrik Island Resort is the most romantic of the three options. Occupying its own private island, the boutique retreat combines peaceful beaches and lagoon swimming with rather old-fashioned European hospitality.

Spend the Afternoon Doing Very Little

Once you arrive, there is no strict schedule. Snorkel, walk around the island, search the shoreline for shells or find a shady spot and perfect the art of doing nothing at all.

Stay in the water until late afternoon, then watch the sunset from the beach before settling in for a quiet evening beneath the stars. Away from the lights of DUD, the lagoon feels wonderfully remote despite being only a boat ride from town.

What to Bring

Pack all meals, snacks and drinking water unless you are staying at Bikendrik. In which case, breakfast and a four-course meal are included. It is also worth bringing your own snorkelling gear, as equipment on the islands can be limited.

A torch is useful after dark, particularly when your island nightlife consists mainly of hermit crabs crossing the path.

Find out more about the different island stays in Where to Stay on Majuro: 10 Best Accommodations, and compare their activities in 30 Best Things to Do on Majuro.

Wake up in paradise one last time, with breakfast beside Majuro Lagoon and perhaps a final swim before packing your bags. As many international flights leave Majuro in the afternoon or evening, you can usually enjoy a relaxed morning on the island rather than rushing back to town at sunrise.

Arrange your departure transfer with the island resort well in advance. Some accommodations can organise a boat back to the main island followed by a car transfer to Amata Kabua International Airport, while Bokanbotin Island Resort may be able to take you directly to the airport by boat.

Confirm the exact pick-up time, luggage arrangements and transfer route before travelling to the island, particularly as weather and lagoon conditions can affect boat journeys. Aim to arrive at the airport around three hours before your flight and bring US$25 in cash for the departure tax.

After one last boat ride across the lagoon, check in and say goodbye to the Marshall Islands. For the full airport process, see Leaving the Marshall Islands: Departure Tips & Checklist.

Until next time, Bar Iakwe!