What to see in Marshall Islands: 9 must-sees

Walk along the shore of Laura, Majuro's best-known beach, where white sand stretches beside water so clear that the corals are visible from the shore. Snorkel among the reefs close to the coast and watch the fish moving among the formations. Stroll barefoot along the shoreline in the late afternoon, when the sun sinks over the Pacific and the heat eases. Bring water and sun protection, since shade is scarce in some stretches. It's a popular gathering spot for local families on weekends.

Explore Arno Atoll by boat and snorkel among corals off its fine-sand beaches and clear waters. Walk along the shore, swim whenever you like, and visit the traditional villages scattered among the inner lagoons. There you'll get a close look at local fishing practices and the Marshallese day-to-day life that still shapes this corner of the archipelago.

Walk along the shore of Darrit, Majuro's most accessible beach, where white sand meets the atoll's calm tide. Put on your mask and snorkel among the corals near the coast, or sit in the shade and gaze out at the open Pacific. When hunger strikes, the restaurants by the beach serve fresh catch of the day. It's a simple spot, free of crowds, ideal for swimming, relaxing, and watching local life unfold by the sea.

Discover Kwajalein, the largest atoll in the world, where nearly a hundred islets surround an immense lagoon in the Pacific. See the remains of World War II: bunkers, coastal batteries, and wrecks that still emerge from the coral. Dive or snorkel over reefs inhabited by turtles and vividly colored fish. Note that the U.S. Ronald Reagan military base restricts access: you need prior authorization to visit. Walk along the white-sand shore at sunset and cycle around the main island, where the pace is slow and the ocean shapes each day.

Stroll through Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands, spread across a narrow coral atoll where the lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other are visible from almost any point along the main road. Visit the craft market to see handwoven baskets and shell necklaces, try fresh fish at the stalls by the dock, and watch the boats that connect the outer islands. End the day at the beaches of the eastern end, quieter than the urban center.

Stop at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where the remnants of nuclear tests coexist with recovering coral reefs. Dive among the sunken ships of the ghost fleet, observe the marine life that has repopulated the lagoons, and follow trails alongside geological formations shaped over millennia. The solitude of this remote place holds a story few places in the world can tell.