Welcome to Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge! Just about halfway between Hawai鈥榠 and American Samoa lies Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Palmyra consists of a circular string of about 26 islets nestled among several lagoons and encircled by 15,000 acres of shallow turquoise reefs and deep blue submerged reefs. It is the northernmost atoll in the Line Islands in the equatorial Pacific.
Palmyra Atoll NWR Rainforest Realignment Job: Sept 2025 - February 2026

Palmyra Atoll is located in the central Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of Hawaii. Palmyra is a thickly vegetated set of islands with abundant rainfall; hot, humid temperatures; and rustic living conditions. It is uninhabited except for a small crew who manage The Nature Conservancy field station, Service personnel who manage the refuge resources, and users of the station. Appointees will have the rare opportunity to live in this remote setting surrounded by rainforest, seabirds, land crabs and thriving coral reefs. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is accepting applications for 4 (four) Rainforest Realignment volunteer positions supporting Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge September 2025 to February 2026.

Fore more information, link here 

For learning how to apply, link

Visit Us

Public access to Palmyra Atoll is self-limiting due to the very high expense of traveling to such a remote destination. 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. There are several ways to gain access to the refuge, though certain rules apply.

Location and Contact Information

      REPORT VIOLATIONS

      Law enforcement issues should be referred to the deputy refuge manager or refuge manager.  

      You may also report violations to our "TIPS" line 1-844-FWS-TIPS (379-8477). 

      About Us

      Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was established on January 18, 2001, by the Secretary of the Interior and includes submerged lands and associated waters out to 12 nautical miles from the atoll. It is approximately 956 nautical miles south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawai驶i and America Samoa, and consists of a circular string of about 26 islets nestled among several lagoons and encircled by 15,000 acres of shallow turquoise reefs and deep blue submerged reefs. It is the northernmost atoll in the Line Islands in the equatorial Pacific. On January 6, 2009, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, which includes Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding ocean out to 50 nautical miles within its boundaries.

      What We Do

      The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. 

      Our Species

      Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of wildlife. The wildlife found in and around the island is rich with diversity ranging from a variety of birds, marine mammals, various species of reptiles, invertebrates, marine life, and flora.

      Our Library

      Here you will find library collections containing a variety of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publications, reports, fact sheets, media and documents along with other reference material.

      A visiting sailboat at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is accepting comments for a Draft Compatibility Determination for refuge access for visiting sailboats and motorized boats at Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The Service has prepared a Draft Compatibility Determination (CD), which provides the...

      Projects and Research

      From  invasive species invasive species
      An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

      Learn more about invasive species
       removal to protecting endangered species, find out what kind of projects and initiatives we're conducting on Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

      Sihek Conservation Introduction to Palmyra Atoll