Surrounded by thousands of miles of ocean, the islands of the northwestern Hawaiian archipelago have become a peaceful oasis for seabirds, migrating shorebirds, and marine life. Located 1,250 miles west-northwest of Honolulu, the atoll measures approximately five miles in diameter. Sand Island, the largest island, measures 1.8 miles long by 1.5 miles wide or about 1,200 acres; Eastern Island is 334 acres; and Spit Island is only six acres. Midway was discovered in 1859 by Captain N.C. Brooks. Brooks named the islands "Middlebrooks" due to their position of being almost halfway between North America and Asia. Brooks also claimed these islands under the Guano Act of 1856 and the U.S. affirmed this claim by annexing and renaming the islands Midway in 1967. Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1988 as an "overlay" refuge allowing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to assist the U.S. Navy in managing the atoll's unique wildlife and resources. After 93 years of U.S. Navy administration, Midway Atoll was transferred to the Service on October 31, 1996. As part of the base closure and realignment process, the Navy completed its environmental cleanup and pulled out of Midway in June 1997. With the closure of Midway's Naval Air Facility, the Service is charged with restoring its biological diversity, conserving its historic and natural resources, and providing opportunities for compatible public education and enjoyment on the refuge. The Service is committed to maintaining the historic spirit of Midway Atoll, sharing its vital roles in the mid-Pacific with its visitors in a manner respectful of the past and as a reminder for the future. Remnants from Midway's military history tell of the atoll's strategic significance to the United States, including the "bombproof" Sand Island power plant struck by a shell lobbed from a Japanese destroyer on December 7, 1941; ammunition storage huts; and gun emplacements. Several historic monuments commemorating the courageous soldiers who fought and died during World War II have been erected on Sand and Eastern Islands. Photo Sandy Hall/USFWS From November though July, Midway is alive with albatross, boasting the largest colony of Laysan albatross in the world and the second largest colony of black-footed albatross. At other times of the year, red-tailed tropicbirds may perform their aerial acrobatics overhead, curious white terns will flutter above, black and brown noddies may nod their greetings, and wedge-tailed shearwaters and Bonin petrels may serenade visitors to sleep. Midway's only native mammal is the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Adults and immature monk seals are frequently seen basking on the beaches of all three islands in the atoll. Midway Atoll's lagoon is an important feeding area for threatened green sea turtles, and they are frequently spotted within the harbor area of Sand Island or basking on Midway's beaches. Hawaiian spinner dolphins frequent Midway's shallow lagoon waters during the day and forage in waters outside the atoll at night. Midway's lagoon and surrounding nearshore waters support more than 250 species of fishes, including many colorful reef fishes. For more information contact:  Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 29460 Honolulu, Hawai`i, 96820-1860 (808) 674-8237 Midway Atoll Refuge's own web site Hawaiian and Pacific/Remote Islands NWRs Top of Page