Can You Go To Midway Atoll?

Can You Go To Midway Atoll?

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Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is a natural preserve in the United States which serves as a sanctuary for millions of seabirds and shorebirds.

Can you go to Midway Atoll?  I don’t think you can visit Midway Atoll without permission.

The Battle of Midway National Memorial is located in the midway atoll and is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice and success of those who fought to defend this land during the Battle of Midway in World War II.

Can you go to Midway Atoll?

Presently, visitors are not allowed into the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial.

However, special permission is given to people for activities that are related to the airfield operational and conservation management of the Refuge and Monument.

The Midway Atoll National Wildlife is located 1,200 miles northwest of Honolulu, across the world’s largest ocean. It is undeniably beautiful, with Cobalt Sea breaking the barrier reef to a lagoon that holds the three islands in this atoll.

In January 2020, a decision was made by the Midway Atoll National Wildlife cooperators to leave Midway Atoll and this resulted in the closing of visitor programs.

Can You Go To Midway Atoll?
Can You Go To Midway Atoll?

While our vision is still aimed at maintaining Midway as the only remote island National Refuge that allows visits from the public, time is required before visitors can be allowed to come into the atoll frequently again.

How to Visit Midway Atoll

People who can transport themselves to Midway can contact the refuge manager to get more information on visiting the atoll.

Midway Atoll offers an amazing set of protections as well as opportunities being a national memorial, part of a marine national monument, and a national wildlife refuge at the same time.

Together with the State of Hawaii, the office of Hawaiian affairs, Monument co-managers at NOAA, and a diverse group of engaged partners.

The Service is keen on working towards protecting and promoting the cultural and natural history of Midway Atoll. This would also extend throughout the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

You can visit and take a virtual tour through Midway atoll. This tour will help you learn more about the wildlife in the Midway Atoll, the islands which constitute the atoll, and the Battle of Midway.

Generally, people are not permitted to enter the long stretch of atolls and coral reefs located northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands. To venture into these places, you need special permits.

A Marine National Monument

When President Bush declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a marine national monument, he made the region the largest protected marine in the world.

Fishing is not even allowed in these areas except what the Native Hawaiians catch for cultural activities.

However, in this 1,400 mile archipelago, there is an area that allows visitors, although in very limited numbers. With hopes that these visitors will become strong advocates for the continued preservation of the monument.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service allows tourists to visit midway, mostly to help clean up the island.

During a visit to the remote island, interior secretary Dirk Kempthorne once stated that there is a treasure that America is not yet aware of.

Recently named Papahanaumokuakea, the monument houses hundreds of different ecosystems and species which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Kempthorne said that this monument was America’s equivalent of the Great Barrier Reef and Galápagos Islands.

From Honolulu, the flight to Midway takes about three to five hours, depending on the time of the aircraft being used. Once in Midway, one thing that welcomes you is the mating call sounds by hundreds of goo et brides or Laysan albatross in the trees.

On the beaches, you’ll find Hawaiian Monk seals marked as critically endangered species. Honu, the Hawaiian term used to describe green sea turtles, can also be found ashore basking in the sun.

In 1942, this atoll was defended by the U.S army against Japan which tried to claim the land during World War II. Most of the fight took place offshore with bombs raining on the aircraft carriers of both U.S and Japan.

Although some of the buildings incurred heavy damage during this war, they remain visible.

During the Cold War, the Navy used the island as a base. However, they left in 1996.

Marine debris, invasive plants

Currently, refuge workers require help in cleaning harmful dirt in the waters. These may include fishing nets and hooks, which often tangle and kill monk seals, fish and honu.

These workers also need help to remove invasive plant species such as the Golden crownbeard (a bright yellow flower native to the Southwest).

Because of the manner at which these flowers spread out, gooney birds can find it very difficult to get to their nesting grounds.

However, tourists are allowed between November to January in rather small groups of 15 on a chartered plane from Honolulu. A maximum of 40 visitors are allowed overnight.

Can you live on Midway Atoll?

When Midway was known to be a naval facility, it was home to over 5,000 residents. About 40 refuge staff members, contractors, and volunteers are allowed to live there at a given time.

The Refuge and Memorial houses roughly three million birds annually. This ecosystem also includes:

  • Nunulu (Bonin petrels)
  • Endangered koloa maoli (Laysan ducks)
  • The largest population of moli in the world (albatrosses)

In the world, this area is also one of only two places where the highly endangered short tailed albatross breeds.

Some of the most endangered species in the world also bust the coral ringed crystal blue lagoon in modway. A few of these animals include:

  • The Hawaiian monk seals (`ilio holo i ka uaua)
  • Honey (green sea turtle)

Midway atoll boasts of a historically important, biologically rich and diverse ecosystem all around the world.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I visit Midway Atoll?

Presently, visitors are not allowed into the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial.

However, special permission is given to people for activities related to the airfield operational and conservation management of the Refuge and Monument.

How far is Midway from Pearl Harbor?

From Pearl Harbour, the closest distance (airline) to Midway Island is about 1,727.83 km

How do you get to Midway Atoll?

You can get to Midway Atoll through the Oceanic Society. This is a non profit marine conservation agency located in San Francisco.

 


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