Kwajalein Atoll is not a tourist destination in any conventional sense. The main island is a restricted US military base, and access for civilians is not granted without official sponsorship. For the rare visitor who does have access — military personnel, contractors, invited guests, or divers with pre-arranged permits — the lagoon itself is the draw.
The most compelling activity is WWII wreck diving. Operation Flintlock in February 1944 left dozens of Japanese and American wrecks on the lagoon floor, and the calm, clear water makes for exceptional underwater conditions. Beyond diving, the sheer scale of the lagoon — 1,100 square miles — allows sailing, snorkelling, and fishing for those with access to boats.
Ebeye Island, a short ferry ride away, offers a stark and sobering contrast to the manicured American base: one of the most densely populated places on earth, home to the Marshallese workforce excluded from Kwajalein's facilities.