Welcome to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial, which is part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument! Midway Atoll (Kuaihelani) is a sanctuary for millions of seabirds, shorebirds, and various marine life who all call the island home.

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial is currently closed to public visitation. Only activities that directly support airfield operations and conservation management of the Refuge/Memorial and the Monument are allowed. However, we offer a few exciting virtual visit experiences that we hope you enjoy. You are welcome to virtually visit the Refuge by exploring the virtual options under the Visit Us section.
A Laysan duck team member captures Laysan ducks at Sand Island.
Midway Seabird Protection Project Update

The Midway Seabird Protection Project kicked off at the end of January 2023, when the Laysan Duck team arrived at Midway to start Phase 1.  The Laysan duck team has had great success capturing the ducks on Sand Island and moving them to Eastern Island.  Between late January and early April 2023, the team captured and moved 968 Laysan ducks to Eastern Island.  At Eastern Island, the Laysan ducks have everything they need in their temporary home. 

 

Latest News

Smiling youngsters use binoculars to look at birds at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
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Two small mostly white birds with black eyes walk on a sandy beach
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Aerial view of an island atoll surrounded by sandy reef in the deep blue ocean
Wildlife Management
"Hope Spots" in the Ocean
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state and territorial governments and others to conserve the ocean and remote islands and atolls in it. The two federal agencies cooperatively manage four marine national monuments in the...
Two bird eggs nested green and brown grass with feathers next to them
Wildlife Wonders
Eggs!
When spring is in the air, eggs are in nests at national wildlife refuges from coast to coast and beyond. This story is all about eggs, in particular bird eggs.
A large white bird soaring in blue sky with its long white-and-black wings spread the width of the photo
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Refuge Animals From A to Z
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A granite monument honoring the armed forces that defended Midway from the Japanese on June 4-7, 1942
History and Culture
The Midway Atoll You Might Not Know
Midway Atoll is well known as the site of a June 4-7, 1942 battle that was the turning point of World War II in the Pacific. What follows are a handful of lesser-known facts about Midway, which is home to Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial.
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Visit Us

Most national wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings.  Although Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial are currently closed to public visitation, these links provide for several exciting virtual ways to visit and even tour the Refuge.

Exploring Midway Atoll

Midway Atoll 360° Virtual Tour

Midway Atoll in Virtual Reality

Google Street View

 

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Located on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial is located within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It is one the oldest atoll formations in the world that provides nesting habitat for millions of seabirds and it a touchstone for one of the most significant naval battles in our human history.  Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, volunteer and contractors live on Midway to support the recovery and integrity of wildlife habitat and species while balancing their own human impact on the land and seascape and protecting historical resources. 

       

       

      What We Do

      The purpose of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial is to serve as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds, monk seals, sea turtles and other wildlife, while also protecting cultural resources from the Commercial Pacific Cable Company to the historic Battle of Midway.  

       

      Our Species

      Midway Atoll's (Kauaihelani) three small islands provide a virtually predator-free safe haven for the world's largest albatross colony encircled by a ring of coral reef that hosts an amazing variety of unique wildlife including green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals among an unprecedented rate of endemic fish. 

      To learn about what birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, and plants exist at Midway Atoll, see the Species section.

      bird flying up above with clouds

      Adult Black-footed Albatross are large seabirds though small compared with other albatross species. They are very long with narrow wings, mostly dusky brown, white at the base of their bill and under eye, and have a large bill. Juveniles are similar to adults, but usually have less white at the...

      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species
      The largest and only white-bodied albatross in the north Pacific. Golden, yellow cast on head and nape. Upper wings: white with black primaries, secondaries, and tertials. Under wing: white with black leading and trailing edges. White tail with black fringe. Large, pink bill with blue tip and black...
      FWS Focus
      Species
      Kingdom
      Animalia
      Taxonomic Rank
      Species

      Projects and Research

      The principal refuge management objective on land is to enhance the quality of habitat for the full diversity of nesting seabird species. This will be accomplished by preventing the reintroduction of rats, by controlling noxious plants and by replanting specific areas with native vegetation. 

      Several steps have been taken or are underway to minimize human activities that adversely impact wildlife. Examples include the elimination of overhead wiring, the modification of lights that disorient night-flying birds and the timing of construction or repair activities to reduce wildlife impacts. Some particularly important beaches have been declared "off limits" to encourage undisturbed use of these areas by seals.