Kanton is not a place with things to do in any conventional tourist sense — it is an expedition destination. The reasons to come are the marine protected area, one of the most pristine in the Pacific; the island's extraordinary history; and the appeal of a place almost entirely removed from the modern world.
The lagoon holds over 150 species of fish, healthy shark populations, and sea turtle nesting beaches. Anyone who reaches Kanton on a yacht or charter vessel will find snorkelling and diving of exceptional quality. The old Pan American base structures remain in various states of decay, offering something for those interested in mid-twentieth-century aviation and Pacific history.