Transportation
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bicycles are often provided or sold internally among departing/arriving staff
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None (Walking, bicycles, or base-issued government vehicles only)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Peale Island Beach (strictly regulated usage for residents)
- Top Regional Airline
- Military Air Transport (AMC) or chartered flights from Honolulu/Guam
- Top International Airline
- None (No commercial airfield access for civilian airlines)
- Highway Access
- Paved perimeter road (no external highway connections)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Wake Island Airfield (AWK)
- Public Transport Passes
- None (The island is approximately 2.5 square miles)
- Regional Travel
- Only via non-scheduled military flights to Hawaii or Guam
Culture and Attractions
- Museums & Art Venues
- Historical display in the Base Operations building
- Historical Sites
- Pan American Airways flying boat ramp (ruins)
- Religious Sites
- Multi-denominational Base Chapel
- Annual Events
- WWII Remembrance Ceremony (December)
- Cultural Districts
- None
- Theater Venues
- Base Theater (showing movies weekly)
- Local Markets
- None
- Music Scene
- Occasional 'Open Mic' nights at Geckos Lounge
- Street Art
- Historical mural inside the terminal
- Cooking Classes
- None
- Art Galleries
- None
- Historic Buildings
- Japanese Command Bunker (ruins)
- Local Heritage
- US Air Force and Marshallese history influence
- Must-See Landmarks
- Wake Island WWII Memorial (honoring the 1941 battle)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The lagoon (Protected waters suitable for kayaking)
- National Parks Nearby
- Wake Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (Overlay on the military base)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Perimeter road (approx. 7 miles total round trip)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Sunset at the west end of the runway
- Birdwatching Locations
- Peale Island (Home to nesting Laysan Albatross)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated beach BBQ areas only
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS Military Mail (APO AP 96501)
- Tech Repair Services
- None (In-house IT department for government machines only)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Game room at the Geckos Lounge
- Language Classes
- None
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Small base library (Paperback exchange library)
- Community Centers
- Base Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) office
- Gaming Lounges
- Dayroom in the contractor billeting
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not permitted
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Not applicable (Land owned by US Government; no private property)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Not applicable
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Not applicable
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Not applicable
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Not applicable
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Not applicable
- Corporate Tax
- Federal US Corporate Tax (21%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Standard US rate for foreign entities)
- Tax System
- Federal US Income Tax only (No local territory tax)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Standard US Federal tax bracket)
- VAT
- 0% (No sales tax on island)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, US GILTI and Subpart F rules apply
- Property Tax
- None (No private land ownership)
- Property Transaction Tax
- None
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None; Digital nomads cannot officially residency here as it is a closed military site
Essentials
- City
- Wake Island, United States Minor Outlying Islands (Unincorporated Territory)
- Population
- Approximately 100-150 (strictly military personnel and civilian contractors; no permanent residents)
- Internet Speed
- Starlink/Satellite-based, approx. 50-100 Mbps (highly restricted to official use)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). No public banks or ATMs available on the atoll.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (desalinated sea water provided by the military installation)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard sockets)
- SIM Card
- No commercial mobile providers; satellite phones or base-specific Wi-Fi calling only
- Banking for Expats
- None (Financial transactions handled via internal military/agency systems)
- Accommodation
- Military-style transient quarters (assigned to authorized personnel only)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes (The small Base Exchange 'BX' accepts US credit cards)
- Short Term Rentals
- None available (Strictly restricted access area; no tourism permitted)
- Budget Accommodation
- Not applicable; no commercial housing exists
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Tourism is strictly prohibited; entry requires an Invitational Travel Order (ITO)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Contractor Housing (for those with valid work orders)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None (Work is performed in assigned military/contractor offices)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Wake Island Dining Facility (Drifter's Reef) - Limited Wi-Fi availability
- Networking Events
- None (Interaction limited to morale events for base personnel)
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly community BBQs and movie nights at the Geckos Lounge
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Wake Island Medical Clinic (basic stabilization and urgent care only)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Self-organized sessions at the multi-purpose community room
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Wake Island Fitness Center (Free for base personnel)
- Laundry Services
- Communal laundry facilities in residential quarters (No commercial services)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None (No delivery services or non-military businesses exist)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Catch-of-the-day (Deep sea fishing is a common pastime for staff)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Limited; salad bar and canned goods at the Drifter's Reef Dining Hall
- Best Dessert Spots
- Soft serve machine at the Dining Facility
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Base Exchange (BX) - duty-free prices on limited snacks and supplies
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (shipping via APO/FPO mail takes 2-4 weeks)
- Grocery Delivery
- None (Base supplies are flown in via supply aircraft)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Geckos Lounge (The only social venue on the island)
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol is imported via the BX)
- Wine Bars
- None
- Street Food Stalls
- None
- Popular International Cuisine
- Rotating international nights at the Dining Hall (e.g., Taco Tuesday)