Marshall Islands Weather in March

March is hot in the Marshall Islands, with daytime temperatures reaching around 86°F (30°C) and night-time temperatures sitting at about 77°F (25°C). In other words, it’s warm from breakfast to bedtime, so pack light clothing and plan your shade breaks wisely.

Temperatures Across the Marshall Islands

• Majuro - The average maximum temperature is 86°F (30°C) and the minimum average temperature is 77°F (25°C)
• Enewetak - The average maximum temperature is 87.8°F (31°C) and the minimum average temperature is 77°F (25°C)
• Kwajalein - The average maximum temperature is 86°F (30°C) and the minimum average temperature is 77°F (25°C)

Sea Temperatures in March

The sea is also beautifully warm at around 82°F (28°C), making March a comfortable month for swimming, snorkelling and lagoon-based activities.

The Marshall Islands gets around 8 hours of bright sunshine per day in March, which works out to about 66% of daylight hours. With roughly 12 hours of daylight each day, there’s still plenty of time for lagoon trips, beach walks and lazy outdoor exploring.

The clearest period falls this month; even during this sunniest month, the sky remains clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy only about 23% of the time.

You can expect some rainfall on around 19 days of the month, so the sunshine often comes between passing showers rather than in one flawless blue-sky stretch (tropical weather likes to keep things interesting).

UV Levels During March

The UV index can reach 11+ (Extreme), so even when clouds drift through, sun protection is essential. Wear sunscreen, cover up where you can and take shade breaks during the middle of the day.

For advice on what sunscreen to wear, see The Best Sunscreens for the Marshall Islands + Sun Protection Tips.

Sunrise and Sunset During March

March has daylight hours lasting about 12 hours a day in the Marshall Islands.

• Sunrise: 6:48 am at the beginning of March and 6:34 am at the end of March
• Sunset: 6:47 pm at the beginning of March and 6:44 pm at the end of March.

March is a showery month in the Marshall Islands and, we’re not going to beat around the bush, you should still expect rain to make an appearance.

Nevertheless, tropical rainfall patterns are often swift, followed by sunshine, so a rainy morning doesn’t always mean the whole day is a write-off.

If you need a rainy day backup for a couple of hours, check out the ideas in 10 Things to Do in the Marshall Islands on a Rainy Day.

The Marshall Islands receives an average of 6.9 in (174 mm) of rainfall in the month of March, with around 19 days out of March experiencing some rain.

Average Rainfall Across the Marshall Islands

• Majuro - The average rainfall in March is 6.9 in (174 mm)
• Enewetak - The average rainfall in March is 3.5 in (90 mm)
• Kwajalein - The average rainfall in March is 5.5 in (140 mm)

The Marshall Islands sits in the North Pacific typhoon region and March is generally not part of the main typhoon season. That said, tropical weather can still bring heavy showers, squally winds, rough seas and disruption to boat or flight schedules, especially when travelling between atolls.

Compared with the middle and later parts of the year, March is usually a lower-risk month for severe tropical storms in the Marshall Islands. However, weather can change quickly in this part of the Pacific, so it's still worth keeping an eye on local forecasts and taking any marine warnings seriously.

It's not unheard of, though; Tropical Storm Bavi struck in March 2015, with strong to gale-force winds of between 45-65 kph (30-40 mph) reported on various atolls. Considerable damage was reported on the islet of Ebeye, on the main atoll of Kwajalein, where several old steel structures were made too dangerous to use, with overall damages in the Marshall Islands estimated at US$2.1 million.

If you want to reduce the chance of weather-related disruption, avoid packing your schedule too tightly around boat trips, lagoon excursions or outer-atoll transfers.

For those planning to travel during March, be aware of what to do if there is a tropical storm or typhoon alert by following our guide, Typhoon Safety in the Marshall Islands: How to Prepare for a Typhoon in the Marshall Islands.

March remains one of the better months for travelling beyond the capital, with weather generally less likely to disrupt domestic flights and boat journeys than later in the year. Tropical showers and schedule changes are still possible, but conditions are often more favourable for planning an outer-atoll adventure.

You are likely to enjoy your trip wherever you go, but if we had to choose the best places to visit in the Marshall Islands in March, they would be the following.

Arno Atoll: Just a short journey from Majuro, Arno Atoll is one of the easiest ways to experience life beyond the capital. Quiet beaches, village communities and a vast lagoon make it ideal for travellers who want an outer-atoll experience without committing to a long domestic flight.

March is a sensible time to attempt the crossing while prolonged bad weather is less likely to interrupt plans. Boat schedules can still change, so confirm your departure and return arrangements locally before leaving.

Plan your journey with Majuro to Arno Atoll by Boat: Fares, Schedules & Tips.

Jaluit Atoll: Travellers interested in Marshallese history should consider Jaluit Atoll, once an important administrative and trading centre. Historic ruins, traditional communities and the remains of German and Japanese influence give the atoll a very different character from Majuro.

The more settled travel window can make domestic flights and local boat trips easier to attempt, although spare days should still be built into your itinerary. Learn more about Jaluit and other remote destinations in The Atolls of the Marshall Islands & The Best to Visit.

Majuro Atoll: Majuro Atoll remains the most practical choice for travellers who want reliable accommodation, restaurants and plenty of activities. March is well suited to diving, lagoon trips, snorkelling and island day tours, while museums, markets, murals and historic sites provide plenty to explore on land.

Majuro is also a useful base before or after an outer-atoll trip, especially when domestic schedules require a little flexibility. See The Complete Travel Guide to Majuro and 30 Best Things to Do on Majuro for inspiration.

Be prepared for the Marshall Islands in March by packing these few seasonal essentials:

• High-factor reef-safe sunscreen
• Light bamboo, linen or merino layers (we like the sustainable bamboo clothing of Moso Morrow)
• Light long-sleeved tops (to cover from sun and mosquitoes)
• Light pants/trousers (to cover the knees when appropriate – villages, church service, etc.)
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Swimwear
• Rash vest (we like the UV-protecting Sharkskin rashies)
• Closed walking shoes
• Flip-flops/jandals/sandals
• Drypack (protect electronics in case it rains - we recommend these from Sharkskin)

Get more ideas on what to pack with our guide, What to Pack for the Marshall Islands: the Marshall Islands Packing List.