Things to Do in Arno Atoll

Arno Atoll's 133 islets sit connected by shallow reefs just 30 miles from Majuro in the Marshall Islands' Ratak Chain. The main settlements on Arno Island and Ine Island house roughly 2,000 people who maintain lifestyles unchanged for generations. Total authenticity awaits. Arno's appeal lies in what it lacks—resort developments and tourist infrastructure simply don't exist here. You'll encounter traditional Marshallese culture in its most genuine form, from outrigger canoe construction to fishing methods that have sustained communities for centuries. The lagoon's clear waters and untouched coral reefs offer some of the Pacific's best diving and snorkeling, though you'll need to be self-sufficient.

Dining centers around fresh seafood, coconut, breadfruit, and local staples prepared traditionally. Most visitors eat with host families or at small community kitchens, where meals include grilled fish, coconut crab when in season, and various preparations of taro and breadfruit. The experience is communal and authentic. Don't expect restaurants. Many accommodations include meals as part of the stay, which is preferable since it provides cultural contact and ensures you'll taste genuine Marshallese cuisine.

The dry season runs December through April. That is when rainfall drops and trade winds keep temperatures comfortable, making it the best time to visit Arno Atoll. Weather can be pleasant year-round though, with temperatures consistently in the 80s. The wet season from May through November brings more rainfall and humidity, but certain fish species are more abundant and plants are at their most lush. Typhoons are rare but possible between June and December.