Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Broad, dazzling-white sand beaches pouring out into a serene, aquamarine lagoon, white, fairy-like terns fluttering angelically at your shoulder, rarely encountered reef fish, the planet's oldest seals, a long and fascinating history ... all this and fine dining, too?

Midway Atoll is a spectacular celebration of wildlife and history and offers many unique opportunities to learn and explore one of the Pacific's most unique sanctuaries, with all the comforts of any resort destination.

The 16 species of seabirds that nest on Midway and the endangered Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles and a school of some 200 Hawaiian spinner dolphin that inhabit the lagoon, are just some of the attractions for natural history buffs and wildlife photographers.

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Commander Quarters from past military days, now commanded by the "gooney" birds

Visitors can now access everything that Midway has to offer through a variety of tour choices led by an experienced naturalist. Tour participants learn about the natural history, behaviors and adaptations of Midway's unique creatures, including the far-ranging Laysan albatross and other resident seabirds, the migrant shorebirds, sea turtles and the increasingly rare and endangered Hawaiian monk seal, through on-site educational lectures and walking tours.

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A rare Short-tailed Albatross ("the Golden Gooney") is a treat even for island residents

Or, retrace the footsteps of Midway's pioneers, from shipwrecked survivors to military heroes. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the spectacular white-sand beach overlooking the lagoon, or on the sheltered snorkeling platform anchored just inside the atoll's barrier reef, while discussing the myriad events that have shaped Midway's character.

Visitors may book daily, weekly or longer tours, which include a variety of topics and locations, and are tailored to fit individual preferences. Single excursions are also available and walk-ups are always welcome, unless previously booked groups are already full. Tour groups are limited to six people.

Tour outings are scheduled in 1-2 hour segments that are catered to specific interest, yet allow plenty of free time to enjoy quiet meditation, simple relaxation or leisurely walks on the breath-taking beach.

Selection of Personalized Tours
Tours are $20 for 1 or 2 people and run about 1-2 hours (except as noted)

Sand Island Overview – Explore Sand Island and all its hidden havens and historical highlights on this personalized excursion. The largest of Midway’s three islets, Sand Island is the only one inhabited by people. Although the land mass encompasses only 1200 acres, it features a shimmering, aquamarine lagoon, the island’s town center and residential areas, fields full of nesting albatross, hidden lairs of ground nesting tropicbirds and burrowing petrels, historic cable station buildings, monuments to the historic battle of Midway, and many other historical sites.

Albatross Excursion (November through July) – Look into the fascinating lifestyle of almost 400,000 pairs of Laysan albatross and 22,000 pairs of black-footed albatross. Visitors are surrounded by “gooneys” and their amazing vocabulary of whinnies, moos, clacks and quacks. Your resident naturalist brings meaning to their constant din. Every part of these birds’ fascinating breeding cycle is a sight to behold: the intricate and comical courtship dance, nest building, shared incubation of the egg, the demanding feeding cycle of the chicks, and learning how to fly. Learn how the albatross survives and what brings them back to Midway.

Monk Seal Expedition – Hawaiian monk seals, the most primitive of all seals, live and breed only in Hawaii and the northwest Hawaiian Islands. Only about 1400 of these seals survive today, and Midway Atoll is home to about 60 individuals. Learn about these sensitive animals in their native habitat from a biologist who has studied them, and view them basking on the beaches and frolicking along the shoreline. This tour features discussion on-site (at a proper distance to prevent disturbance) of the monk seal natural history, including population changes, behavior, habitat, diet, threats, life cycle, current research and recovery efforts. Observing Hawaiian monk seals on our white coral sand beaches is a rare and special opportunity for a fortunate few.

Infrastructure Tour – In this special “behind the scenes” tour, we invite you to visit Midway’s hydroponics garden, power plant, water treatment and other public works facilities. See first-hand how we are supplied with water, power, electricity and supplies from the transition from the Navy to Midway Phoenix Corporation.

Beach Hike – Explore the north beach or the west beach trail while learning about atoll formation, geology of Midway, beach ecology and effects of the introduced species. Glimpse wildlife in its natural habitat, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seals, turtles, and varied bird life.

History Tours – Your personal guide will take you to historical buildings, artifacts and monuments from the Commercial Pacific Cable Company era to the Battle of Midway and Cold War time- frame. Former residents and historians are welcome to share their own information and stories about our 100-year of inhabitation of Midway.

Birding Tours – Listers and novices alike are introduced to our resident, wintering and vagrant birds. Your guide will lead you to their favorite places and tell you when each species is most active. Special trips to Eastern Island are also available with advance notice. There, you’ll find other species not presently living on Sand Island, and have the opportunity to view the short-tailed albatross decoy colony started by USFWS to bring back this rare species.

Pelagic Bird Watching Trips – When the boat pulls away from the dock in Midway’s harbor, the pelagic bird watching begins as you are immediately amidst these Pacific birding grounds; bring low powered binoculars. Observe birds in flight over the open ocean, seeing many of them exhibit entirely different behavior over sea than on land. Glimpse migrating birds or ones not found on any of Midway’s islands. Besides a naturalist to point out and identify pelagics, answer questions, we also supply you with beverages/lunch for hourly, half- and full-day tours. Long-range trips also available with advance scheduling. (Price based on duration and boat)

Photography Outings – Get that special shot and capture the unique character of Midway! Your guide shows you where to get the best pictures and compositions while respecting the wildlife. A classroom with slide projector is available for impromptu slide show presentations. Special trips to see the more varied and vibrant bird life of Eastern Island are available with advance notice.

Sea Kayaking Tours – Explore this lightly traveled marine preserve which is a National Wildlife Refuge spanning a 5-mile lagoon with our naturalist guide. The atoll is a magical place: a reef encircling a now-sunken island that has been replaced over thousands of years with three sandy islets totaling 1600 acres. Witness the wildlife from a completely different vantage point as you paddle through the unspoiled waters of Midway. After completing a safety training session, your guide will head out to the reef, sharing Midway’s ecology and habitat with you. It’s filled with wildly colored fish, Hawaiian monk seals, and a resident pod of 250 spinner dolphins, just to name a few. (Price TBA)

Sunset Lagoon Cruise and Day Lagoon Cruise – (based on season, crew and boat availability) Encounter a new perspective on paradise by cruising around Midway’s turquoise lagoon in style. The triple jet drive SeaAngel will take you through the 5-mile wide atoll in style and comfort, while your naturalist discusses atoll formation and resident wildlife. Your may see spinner dolphins, mantas and sharks while enjoying the waves sweeping over the protective reef and coral heads on this trip. (Price TBA)

Beach Picnic – Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch prepared by the Clipper House restaurant as you relax on our idyllic white sand beaches. Watch the birds and contemplate the scenery with your guide as you discuss the events that have shaped Midway’s character. Picnic lunch menu includes wine, bread/butter, salad, a cold entr�e and dessert. (Additional $40 for picnic for two)

Midway “Nightlife” – This tour features Bonin Petrels and/or Wedge-tailed Shearwater identification by sight and sound after sunset. Other nocturnal critters like ghost crabs will be discovered and discussed. Also may include stargazing from this gem in the Pacific, where no ambient light drowns out the Milky Way’s twinkling treasures (weather permitting).

Debris Dilemmas and Contaminant Concerns – The effects of marine debris through plastic ingestion and other contaminants in albatross are discussed in a slide show. Also, learn how disposal at sea in the form of nets, lines, and other entanglements pose as hazards to not only to seabirds, but our endangered monk seals and threatened green sea turtles.

Specialty Tours - Do you have a specific interest not listed above? We will do our best to cater to your pursuits. Please contact us as noted below for further information on customizing tours to fit your needs.

If you have questions about Midway or would like to make reservations, please call us toll free at 1-888-BIG-ULUA or email us at destpacific@sportfishhawaii.com and we will be happy to help.

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