Marshallese Etiquette: 25 Tips to Respect Marshall Islands Customs & Traditions

A warm smile and a cheerful iakwe are among the easiest ways to make a good first impression. The Marshallese greeting carries ideas of both “hello” and “love”, which rather neatly captures the welcoming spirit of the islands.

You do not need perfect pronunciation to use it. Make the effort, smile and let the conversation unfold from there.

Learn a few more useful words in the Marshallese Language: Useful Words and Phrases for Travellers.

Marshallese people generally dress modestly, particularly outside resorts and beach areas. Comfortable shorts and T-shirts are fine in many everyday settings, but avoid clothing that is extremely short, sheer or revealing.

This does not mean dressing like you are attending a royal garden party in tropical heat. Simply cover your shoulders, chest and upper thighs when visiting communities, shops or public offices.

See our Marshall Islands Packing List for practical outfit ideas.

Bikinis, swimming trunks and other swimwear belong at the beach, on a boat or around your resort. Cover up before walking through a neighbourhood, entering a shop or travelling in a taxi.

Also remember that local families use the beaches too, so ultra-revealing swimwear, such as thong bikinis or your boldest Miami-style number, is unlikely to be considered appropriate. A regular swimsuit, board shorts or a more modest bikini will help you enjoy the beach without attracting the wrong kind of attention.

A loose shirt, dress or sarong makes an easy cover-up and saves you from having to perform an awkward towel wrap in public (we have all been there).

Church services are important community occasions, so visitors should dress more conservatively than they might for an ordinary day out. Women should ideally wear a long skirt or dress covering the knees, while men should wear long trousers and a smart shirt.

Visitors are often welcome at services, but arrive quietly, follow the congregation’s lead and avoid treating worship as a staged cultural performance.

Find out more in The Best Churches in the Marshall Islands to Experience as a Visitor.

Sunday is widely observed as a day of worship, rest and time with family. Keep noise down around churches, avoid disruptive behaviour, and turn your music down when passing a service.

Alcohol sales are also restricted on Sundays, although restaurants may still serve alcohol. On the outer islands, alcohol rules can be stricter, so do not assume the same arrangements apply everywhere.

Do not assume that an empty beach, coconut grove or uninhabited-looking islet is public land. Much of the Marshall Islands has traditional owners, even when there are no fences, signs or ticket booths.

Ask a local guide, accommodation host or landowner before exploring. A quick conversation is far better than discovering halfway through your picnic that you have accidentally set up camp in someone’s backyard.

Land tenure in the Marshall Islands is traditionally matrilineal, meaning rights are inherited through the mother’s bloodline. An alap is a customary land custodian with responsibilities connected to a particular parcel of land or islet.

Visitors do not need to master the complete land system, but they should understand that ownership is deeply important. Never dismiss a request to leave, pay a fee or seek permission simply because the land appears unused.

Learn more in A Traveller’s Guide to Marshallese Culture.

Entrance fees are not charged at every beach, but Laura Beach is a notable example of a community-managed site where visitors usually pay to enter. The fee contributes to facilities such as toilets, showers and picnic areas, which are maintained locally rather than by the national government.

Pay the requested amount without haggling and carry small US dollar notes. Community facilities do not maintain themselves, despite what paradise brochures might suggest.

Learn more about Laura Beach in the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do on Majuro

Travelling beyond Majuro often involves more than simply finding a boat. Visitors may need to contact the local mayor, traditional landowners or other community representatives before landing or visiting particular islets.

This is especially important for yacht crews, who may require permits and need to pay local entry or anchoring fees. Arrange permission before arrival rather than assuming forgiveness will be easier.

See Sailing in the Marshall Islands: Permits, Fees and Customs Clearance for the full process.

Avoid touching another person’s head, even in a playful or affectionate way. The head holds spiritual and personal significance in Marshallese culture, and touching it can be considered disrespectful.

This is particularly important with children. A friendly smile or wave is a much safer greeting than automatically patting someone on the head.

Walking directly between two people having a conversation can come across as rude. Pass behind them whenever possible.

When there is no other route, duck slightly and move through politely rather than marching between them as though breaking the tape at a finish line.

When calling someone towards you, hold your hand with the palm and fingers facing down and move your hand towards yourself. Avoid beckoning with the fingers facing upwards.

The downward gesture is the polite local way to call someone over and is an easy custom to adopt once you know it.

Take your shoes off before entering someone’s home. The same custom also applies at small handicraft shops or other buildings where footwear is left by the doorway.

When in doubt, look for shoes outside and follow the local example. A row of flip-flops is usually a fairly convincing clue.

When invited inside, wait for your host to show you where to sit or politely ask. In many homes, locals sit on woven mats, and you don't want to get the sleeping mat mixed up with the sitting mat.

Taking a moment to follow your host’s lead shows respect and avoids accidentally sitting where someone might usually sleep.

Marshallese people may sit on mats or directly on the floor when eating, talking or relaxing. Walk around seated people rather than stepping over their legs.

Hospitality is an important part of Marshallese culture, and visitors may be offered food in homes, at gatherings or during trips to outer islands. It is polite to accept at least a small portion rather than refusing immediately.

You do not have to finish an enormous plate if you are full, but show appreciation and try what you can. A sincere compliment to the cook also travels well in any language.

For dishes worth looking out for, see Traditional Marshallese Food: Foods to Try in the Marshall Islands.

Marshallese people enjoy laughing and teasing one another. Visitors who can laugh at themselves usually settle into social situations more easily than those who take everything too seriously.

Of course, good humour is not permission to mock local customs or people. Keep it friendly, make jokes and try not to be too stuck up your own, well, travel pillow.

Schedules, reservations and departure times do not always unfold exactly as planned. Boats may wait for cargo, meetings can begin late, and opening hours may feel more aspirational than scientific.

Stay patient, confirm arrangements and leave room in your itinerary for delays. Becoming visibly angry will not make the boat arrive faster, but it may make the wait less pleasant for everyone.

See the 30 Tips for Travelling in the Marshall Islands for more trip-planning advice.

Drinking alcohol is permitted in many settings, but loud or visibly drunken behaviour in public is poorly regarded. Drink responsibly and remember that standards can be more conservative outside Majuro’s hotels and restaurants.

Alcohol is generally more restricted on outer islands. Likiep and Ebye, for example, have particular local arrangements, while alcohol may be prohibited elsewhere unless a community has agreed otherwise.

For practical rules, see The Ultimate Guide to the Majuro & Marshall Islands Nightlife.

When you hire a fishing boat, do not automatically assume that every fish you catch belongs to you. By local custom, the catch commonly belongs to the captain, although captains may choose to share some with guests.

Discuss expectations before departure, particularly when booking a private charter. That prevents an awkward debate at the dock while your tuna looks on disapprovingly.

See The Ultimate Guide to Fishing in the Marshall Islands for operators and fishing etiquette.

Fishing from common public areas, such as docks and The Bridge, is generally accepted. Ask permission before fishing from private land, beaches or unfamiliar islets.

Some reefs and lagoons are marine protected areas or community-managed conservation sites. These include locally managed areas established through Reimaanlok resource-management plans, as well as conservation zones around islands such as Eneko and Bokanoti.

Never assume that an absence of signs means fishing is allowed. Ask a guide, landowner or local authority first.

Shared taxis are part of everyday life in Majuro, and there is a simple local system for hailing one. Hold up the number of fingers matching the number of passengers in your group so the driver can see whether there is enough room.

When a taxi driver flashes the vehicle’s lights, it usually means the taxi is full. Do not take it personally; another one should be along soon.

Learn more in Taxis in Majuro: Fares, Routes and How They Work.

Drivers should reduce their speed to 15 mph (24 kph) near schools at opening and closing times, churches during Sunday morning services and public processions. Even when you are not behind the wheel, expect traffic to slow or stop around these occasions.

Turn down loud music when passing churches and follow any directions given by police, ushers or community members. Arriving five minutes later is preferable to becoming the memorable part of someone else’s ceremony.

See Driving in the Marshall Islands: Road Rules and Safety for more advice.

Stray and free-roaming dogs are common, and some can become territorial. Carrying a small stick or umbrella may help you appear less vulnerable, but do not throw rocks or other objects at the dogs.

Avoid running, keep your movements calm, and give animals plenty of space. See our Safety Tips for Travellers in the Marshall Islands for more practical guidance.

Do not litter, damage coral or leave waste behind on beaches and islets. The land and ocean are not only beautiful visitor attractions but essential sources of food, transport, identity and livelihoods.

Use rubbish and recycling bins where available, carry waste with you when they are not and avoid entering government compounds or restricted areas. Not every open-looking space is intended for tourists.

For more ways to reduce your impact, see 30 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in the Marshall Islands.