
Vessels are required to provide documentation of a hull bottom inspection and cleaning showing the absence of any marine organisms that is dated within two weeks of their departure for the refuge. As no dumping of any kind is allowed within the refuge, private vessels must have sufficient holding tanks for all black and gray water to accommodate their needs throughout the entire length of stay. A maximum of two vessels are allowed at one time and no more than six vessels may visit in a single month. With prior approval, privately owned vessels are permitted access to the atoll for up to seven days to see and enjoy the natural resources of the refuge. Contact the deputy director of The Nature Conservancy’s Palmyra Program at for further information. No pets (e.g. dogs and cats) are allowed on the refuge even if they remain aboard the vessel.Īccess to Cooper Island must be arranged and secured through The Nature Conservancy. Contact the refuge manager to discuss times the refuge will be open to visitors. As our staff is very small at this time we are only able to open the refuge to visitation for about six months each year, primarily in the summer months. The refuge is only open for visitation when an USFWS manager is present. Additional documentation of an inspection citing no signs of a rodent presence detected must be completed within 48 hours of departure for the atoll. With prior approval by the USFWS, privately owned vessels are permitted access to the atoll for up to seven days to see and enjoy the natural resources of the refuge. Visitation by private recreational sailboat or motorboat

Invitation through The Nature Conservancy sponsored donor trip Working for, contracting with, or volunteering for The Nature Conservancy or Fish and Wildlife ServiceĬonducting scientific research via Fish and Wildlife Service Special Use Permits

There are four ways the public may gain access to the refuge: The Nature Conservancy owns and operates the only airplane runway on Palmyra and by boat, it's a five to seven day sailing trip from Honolulu. Public access to Palmyra Atoll is self-limiting due to the very high expense and difficulty of traveling to such a remote destination.
