Essentials
- City
- Midway Atoll, United States Minor Outlying Islands
- Population
- Approximately 40-60 (strictly US Fish and Wildlife Service staff and contractors; no permanent residents)
- Internet Speed
- 2-10 Mbps via limited satellite link; frequent outages and high latency
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). No ATMs or banks on the atoll; carry physical cash for the small 'clipper' store
- Tap Water
- Drinkable; treated via a desalination plant on Sand Island
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Standard US sockets); powered by diesel generators
- SIM Card
- None. No commercial cellular network exists; satellite phones or Iridium GO! are required for personal use
- Banking for Expats
- Not applicable; restricted military/government territory with no commercial banking
- Accommodation
- Limited to 'Charlie Barracks' for sanctioned researchers/volunteers ($50-$100/night baseline, but usually inclusive in program fees)
- Cashless Friendly
- No; the small commissary prefers cash for minor purchases
- Short Term Rentals
- Non-existent. Public tourism is currently suspended by the USFWS
- Budget Accommodation
- Volunteer housing (requires months of application via USFWS)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Sand Island (the only inhabited island; tourism currently closed to general public)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Not applicable; digital nomadism is technically prohibited by residency/permit restrictions
Transportation
- Best Beach Nearby
- North Beach (Sand Island); pristine white sand with significant sea turtle populations
- Top Regional Airline
- Occasional charter flights via Henderson Field (MDY), often operated by Phoenix Air
- Top International Airline
- None; arrivals must come via Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye International)
- Highway Access
- None; only small paved service roads for golf carts and bikes on Sand Island
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Henderson Field (Airstrip)
- Public Transport Passes
- Not applicable
- Regional Travel
- Charter flights only (strictly regulated by US Fish and Wildlife Service)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None. Bicycles are the primary mode of transport
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bikes are provided to residents by the USFWS facility management
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Small medical clinic on-site for stabilizes; critical emergencies require $20,000+ medevac to Honolulu
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- None; outdoor yoga on the runway or beaches is common among staff
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Small gym facility located near the 'Charlie Barracks' for resident use
- Laundry Services
- Communal laundry room located in the barracks area
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Canned/Frozen supplies; occasionally fresh-caught fish (restricted to subsistence only)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Extremely limited; dietary needs must be coordinated with the mess hall weeks in advance
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Galley (soft serve machine when operational)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Midway Clipper Store (essential sundries and souvenirs only)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (via USPS Flat Rate boxes), but delivery takes 4-8 weeks
- Grocery Delivery
- Government barge (Honeywell/USFWS supplies) arriving once every few months
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The All Hands Club (Captain Brooks Tavern)
- Local Brewery
- None; all alcohol is imported via barge or charter
- Wine Bars
- None
- Street Food Stalls
- None
- Popular International Cuisine
- None
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Battle of Midway National Memorial
- Museums & Art Venues
- Midway Atoll Museum (small room in the terminal building)
- Historical Sites
- Command Post, Power Plant, and historic seaplane hangars
- Religious Sites
- Midway Memorial Chapel
- Annual Events
- Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremony (June 4th)
- Cultural Districts
- None
- Theater Venues
- The Hollywood Theater (historic outdoor cinema, occasionally used for screenings)
- Local Markets
- None
- Music Scene
- Occasional acoustic nights at the All Hands Club
- Street Art
- Albatross-themed murals on some barracks walls
- Cooking Classes
- None
- Art Galleries
- None
- Historic Buildings
- Cable Station buildings (ruins/historic marker)
- Local Heritage
- WWII Pacific theater military history
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None. The All Hands Club lounge is the only communal indoor space
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Midway Galley (limited hours, restricted to staff/permitholders)
- Networking Events
- Weekly government staff briefings and volunteer biology mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night social gatherings at the 'All Hands Club'
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Eastern Island (accessible only by boat with permit)
- National Parks Nearby
- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The abandoned runways and perimeter roads of Sand Island
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Turtle Beach for sunset viewing
- Birdwatching Locations
- Everywhere; home to the world's largest colony of Laysan Albatross
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited due to nesting birds and sensitive brush
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (Mail arrives via infrequent charter flights or barge)
- Tech Repair Services
- None; bring spare parts and tools
- Table Tennis Spots
- One table in the gym/recreation hall
- Language Classes
- None
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Small resident-managed book swap in the lounge
- Community Centers
- The 'Community Lounge' in the Barracks
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Not applicable (Property ownership is strictly prohibited; US Government land)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- Corporate Tax
- Not applicable (US Territory, but no private commerce allowed)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Not applicable
- Tax System
- US Federal tax applies to American employees on site
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (US Federal Rate)
- VAT
- 0%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Standard US Federal rules apply
- Property Tax
- 0% (No private properties)
- Property Transaction Tax
- N/A
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No; strictly for government/research use only