Micronesia
Midway Atoll
Midway Atoll, located along the leeward chain of the Hawaiian archipelago, consists of three islands surrounded by a shallow white sand lagoon with turquoise waters and sheltered by a coral reef. The only accessible wildlife refuge in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Midway is limited to only one hundred visitors in residence at one time.

Midway offers an unsurpassed wildlife experience. More than two million birds visit Midway during the course of a year including 20 species of migratory birds. Midway is refuge for the worldıs largest colony of Laysan Albatross, nearly half a million pairs. Other nesting birds include shearwaters, Black-footed Albatross, Bonin Petrel, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Brown and Masked Boobies, terns and Great Frigatebirds. The highly endangered Short-tailed Albatross visits Midway regularly. Midway is also a refuge for spinner dolphins, the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and the threatened green sea turtle.

Similar to the Galapagos, much of the wildlife on Midway has remarkably little fear of humans. You can walk within a few feet of nesting seabirds, and some animals such as the omnipresent albatross will even come and investigate you. The reef life is abundant on Midway, and fish are exceptionally large and unafraid of snorkelers. In addition, endangered monk seals can be spotted from observation points, and spinner dolphins with their acrobatic leaps are often observed during boat tours. Photographic opportunities are excellent.

The human history is equally part of the fabric of Midway and the islands contain over forty historic sites. Midway Atoll was part of a pivotal battle deemed by historians to be the turning point of World War II in the Pacific.

Midway offers the unique opportunity to vacation in a bird colony. Simply walk out of your room to see thousands of Albatross perform their ancient mating dance.

Albatross Colony

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Over one million seabirds nest on Midway Atoll each year. Midway is refuge for the world's largest colony of Laysan Albatross. The highly endangered Short-tailed Albatross visits Midway regularly. Other nesting birds include the shearwaters, petrels, tropicbirds, Black-footed Albatross, boobies, terns and frigatebirds. More than 90 species of migratory birds have been seen at Midway.

Midway Spinner Dolphins
A herd of over 300 spinner dolphins is known to utilize the waters of Midway Atoll. Although spinner dolphins have been studied in the marine ecosystem along the main Hawaiian Islands, to date no study has been conducted on Midway spinners.

Facts for the Visitor
Midway is only a three hour flight from Honolulu by commercial jet. Opened to the public in 1996 to only 100 visitors on the island at one time, Midway is the only accessible refuge in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Accommodations for all Midway programs are in comfortable double occupancy rooms with sink and storage space. Bath is semi-private, maximum four people sharing one bathroom.

 
 Meals are served in the island's cafeteria or restaurant. The island is small enough to enjoy on foot or by bicycle or electric cart. Activities at Midway include wildlife observations, snorkeling, historical excursions, swimming and strolling along a half mile-long white sand beach. Weather permitting, you may visit nearby Eastern Island to observe bird species not found on Sand Island and to visit historic sites.

For more information on the World War 2 History of Midway, go to: