Scouting the loneliest parts of the world can be a life-changing experience, more so if the destination is a small island bordered on all sides by the sublime Pacific. The overwhelming feeling of awe is common in all tourists before they alight at the Marshall Islands: it’s difficult to imagine how a sparsely-populated stretch of 29 small atolls can flourish in the middle of the ocean. The Marshall Islands is a viable tourist destination in Micronesia, if only for its white-sand shores and blue lagoons. But the locals have much to offer as well - warm smiles and friendly faces are always a welcome sight for tourists. There is much culture and sights in the Marshall Islands to occupy your stay, and no doubt you’ll come back for another helping.

Since it is an atoll nation, diving is the prime attraction for all those who visit it. The island beaches are also pristine with white sand and greenish blue waters, fading into a deep blue as the shelf drops dramatically to the ocean floor, at a distance off shore. Most of the outer atolls are unpopulated, so there’s plenty of room for solitude. These are accessible by boat or small plane, and trip schedules are frequent enough for daylong stay in any of the atolls.

Bikini Atoll is probably the most popular dive spot for new tourists, especially for wreck diving enthusiasts. Deep beneath the ocean floor lies the U.S.S. Saratoga, the only sunken aircraft carrier in the world which is accessible to divers. Sunk by the 1946 bomb tests in the region, the ship sits upright underneath at least a hundred and eighty feet of water - its main superstructure extends to as close as forty feet from the ocean surface. The carrier can be observed inside and out, as new areas within it have been recently opened for exploration. Other wrecks can be observed as well, such as Hijms Nagato and the U.S.S. Arkansas, not to mention the numerous battle transports scattered all over the lagoon’s surface.

For a sampling of the Marshall Islands’ local lifestyles, the capital Majuro is the cultural hub. The Marshallese are a people with a distinct characteristic all by themselves; a mixture of new-world and old-world cultures, all the while keeping their ethnicity intact. This is probably due to their tenacity as a seafaring race, able to brace against the elements with unwavering resolve. Handmade crafts are a local specialty, being made from all-natural materials. And since the tribal customs are still present, tattooing is still considered as both a form of body art and a rite of passage.

There are plenty of things to do during your stay. Bird watch or beach bum, camp, fly-fish, canoe and kayak, take nature walks, or chart the waters with a yacht. But probably the main attraction of the island is that it lets you enjoy your own sunset; there are places where you can kick your feet up and watch the horizon, with no one else around, and only the sound of lapping waters and breezy palms to occupy your thoughts. Whether you’re into personal reflection or active thrills, the Marshall Islands won’t disappoint.