United States Minor Outlying Islands
Phone Code
+1
Capital
Population
Uninhabited (except military/research personnel)
Native Name
United States Minor Outlying Islands
Region
Americas
Northern America
Timezones
Samoa Standard Time
UTC-11:00
+1 more
On This Page
The United States Minor Outlying Islands comprise nine remote islands, atolls, and reefs scattered across the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, administered by the United States but largely uninhabited. These territoriesāBaker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island, and Navassa Islandāserve primarily as wildlife refuges, military installations, or remain completely uninhabited. Most are permanently closed to public access. This is not a tourist destination in any conventional sense, yet these islands hold significance for geography enthusiasts, naturalists interested in protected ecosystems, and those fascinated by remote US territories. Understanding access restrictions and the purpose of these islands is essentialācasual tourism is not possible, and even scientific or wildlife research visits require extensive federal permits.
Access & Permit Requirements
The US Minor Outlying Islands operate under strict access restrictions rather than traditional visa requirements. Most islands are designated National Wildlife Refuges administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, prohibiting public access to protect seabird colonies, sea turtle nesting sites, and pristine ecosystems. Baker Island, Howland Island, and Jarvis Island are completely closed with no civilian access permitted. Johnston Atoll serves as a wildlife refuge with extremely restricted access requiring federal permits. Kingman Reef is submerged and inaccessible. Navassa Island in the Caribbean is closed due to hazardous terrain and wildlife protection. Wake Island, administered by the US Air Force, allows access only to military personnel, defense contractors, and limited authorized visitors with specific military approvalāno tourism exists. Palmyra Atoll permits very limited scientific research visits and occasional volunteer opportunities through The Nature Conservancy, which manages the atoll, but requires months-long advance permit applications and screening. Midway Atoll operated as a limited eco-tourism destination 2008-2012 but has since closed to tourism, now permitting only occasional research and wildlife management activities. No commercial flights, tours, or regular civilian access exists to any of these islands. Anyone attempting to visit without proper authorization faces federal prosecution for trespassing on protected refuges or military installations.
Common Visa Types
Military Authorization (Wake Island)
US military personnel, contractors, authorized visitors
Scientific Research Permit
Authorized research on Palmyra Atoll
Wildlife Management Access
US Fish & Wildlife Service operations
Critical Information About US Minor Outlying Islands
To be clear: conventional travel to US Minor Outlying Islands is not possible. These territories exist for wildlife conservation, military purposes, and environmental researchānot tourism. Most islands see no human visitors for years at a time. Those seeking to visit must have legitimate scientific, conservation, or official purposes and secure federal permits months or years in advance. Even researchers face significant logistical challenges: no airports exist except Wake Island (military), no harbors accommodate civilian vessels, no accommodation exists, and self-sufficiency is mandatory. Charter boat access requires crossing vast ocean distances (hundreds to thousands of miles from nearest ports) at enormous expense and risk. The few individuals who have visited Palmyra Atoll for research or conservation work describe extraordinary pristine ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and utter isolationābut also challenging conditions, limited infrastructure, and complete remoteness. For the vast majority of people, these islands remain inaccessible, known only through photographs, scientific publications, and government reports. This overview provides information about what these territories are, their history and significance, but readers should understand that visiting is unrealistic except for highly specialized purposes with government authorization.
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Ways to Experience This Destination
Conventional tourism does not exist. Most islands permanently closed. Wake Island requires military authorization. Palmyra Atoll allows extremely limited scientific/volunteer access with months-long permit process.
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Embassies in United States Minor Outlying Islands
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The US Minor Outlying Islands represent some of America's most remote and inaccessible territoriesāuninhabited atolls and islands serving primarily as wildlife refuges and military outposts. While conventional tourism does not exist, these protected ecosystems provide critical habitat for seabirds, sea turtles, and pristine coral reefs, reminding us that some places are best experienced through preservation rather than visitation.
Learn About US Territories