Marshall Islands - Communications
International Dialling Code for the Marshall Islands is +692.
Cruiser’s Nets
- VHF Cruisers Net: 0730 (local time) Monday-Saturday, VHF channel 71.
Hosted by the Mieco Beach Yacht Club members. This is a hailing channel and chatting is done on either Ch68 or Ch74. The net covers weather, social events, information offered or needed, project assistance, and treasures of the bilge.
Local yachts are usually happy to assist with mooring pick up and questions. - SSB Yokwe Net: Daily 0745 (local time) on channel 6.224.
http://www.sailingmarshallislands.com
The Mieco Beach Yacht Club members and friends run a daily HF net called the Yokwe net (‘yokwe’ means hello). The net’s main purpose is to look after vessels underway as they voyage between the outer islands of the Marshall Islands, but it is also a social network between cruisers and people on the outer islands with radios.
The SSB Net covers most atolls.
Mobile Phones and the Internet
National Telecommunications Authority (NTA) provides Mobile phones, SIM cards, and WIFI hotspots around town, including Internet service to the mooring fields in Majuro.
Currently all of Majuro and Ebeye are fully covered with 4G WiFi service. This is easily accessible anywhere in the lagoon and nearshore, including the two designated mooring areas.
Most, but not all other atolls, are being upgraded to 2G with cell service. Although service can be inconsistent/sporadic and locals may not have the ability to refill accounts that have run out of time/WiFi. More populated atolls seem to have more consistent service.
Prepaid unlimited WiFi internet hookup for a laptop is $35/month.
Unlimited WiFi for a smartphone or tablet is $15/month.
The islands are part of the US postal service and enjoy a U.S. Postal Code (Zip code: 96960).
Mail sent from the U.S. arrives within (usually) 6-10 business days by U.S. Priority Mail. It’s recommended you use USPS Priority Mail as it is cost-effective. The address to use is:-
Name of Yacht
First and Last Name
General Delivery
Majuro, MH 96960
Fed-Ex, DHL and UPS are all available with only DHL providing outgoing freight.
Note however that for large ticket items, the RMI changed its import-tax laws in 2019 and now Yachts-in-Transit are no longer exempt from customs duties, including US yachts. All imports over $250 are taxed at a rate of 8%. This includes packages sent via the US Post Office, air and container freight.
Last updated: October 2022
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We cleared out of the Marshall Island from Ebeye in May 2023. There was no charge and everyone was really nice. At the time Ebeye had both Custom and Immigration officers stationed there.
You do need a cruising permit to stop at Ebeye. We tried to get one before leaving Majuro but didn’t get any response. We went to Ebeye anyway and talked to the port authority. There was no problem at all, he arranged for custom, the immigration and quarantine to clear us out.
If you violate Marshallese Border restrictions and enter any atoll, you may be subjected to a $10,000 fine, your boat impounded and crew/captain jailed until being deported, or on a case by case determined penalty basis.
A yacht has recently (March 2022) been finned $10,000 for violating the above Marshallese Border restrictions.
Commodore Mark Stearns BSME
MIECO Beach Yacht Club, Marshall Islands
2018 Update for Bikini. The procedure for visiting Bikini Atoll has changed for a year. IA (Island Affairs) will issue cruising permits for all atolls, including Bikini, without special fees.
Some atolls may require special permissions due to local conditions but no extraordinary fees are involved. The $5000 fee seems to have been a passing whimsy.
It’s also possible to volunteer to carry needed supplies to the outer islands, the resulting goodwill may even bring in a fee waiver and is a very positive way to meet the locals. Check-in IA to volunteer.
Have visited immigration 4 times this week to confirm and reconfirmed the following. As a Canadian, also applies to all other countries listed above under standard tourist visit, we are now given 90 free on arrival by yacht. NO extensions will be given. You must leave the country and return with new clearance papers from another port to gain another 90 days free.
No limit on how many days you must be away. There are NO 6-month visas. To apply for a one year visa is $200 US each person and that application must be made with 14 days of arrival. The 1 yr visa is invalidated by flying out of the country and on your return flight you are given only 30 days from your arrival.
Be advised there is a surprising new fee for a cruising permit for Bikini Atoll. The new mayor of Bikini will approve your visit to Bikini for only seven days max. For the interesting fee of $5,000.00 USD. YES! Payable in his office, no credit cards.
The previous fee was $25.00, in line with most of the other atolls of the Marshalls, which are usually collected in the office of Island Affairs which issues all the cruising permits.