Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, United States.
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge consists of three small islands surrounded by coral reefs that shelter millions of seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals. The islands sit within a larger marine ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic and terrestrial species.
The United States claimed Midway Atoll in 1859, establishing it as their first territorial possession beyond the continental mainland. The atoll later served strategic military purposes during the 20th century before being designated as a protected refuge.
The atoll holds spiritual importance in Hawaiian culture as Kuaihelani, linking the natural world with ancestral beliefs and practices. Visitors can sense this connection through sacred sites and traditional places woven into the landscape.
Visiting is severely restricted and limited to official research and conservation activities, with most trips requiring advance arrangement and special authorization. Conditions can change quickly on the remote atoll, so visitors should prepare for variable weather and ocean conditions.
The atoll hosts the world's largest Laysan albatross colony, supporting approximately two million birds representing nineteen different species. These vast bird gatherings shape the landscape and make the atoll one of the most important places for seabird populations worldwide.
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