Palmyra Atoll lies 1052 miles South/South West of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. It is a nature reserve formed to protect surface and marine ecosystems which form part of the unique natural beauty of this northernmost atoll, lying in the North of the Line Islands chain. The Palmyra atoll is located just north of the equator in the area of the doldrums characterized by heavy rainfall and winds. They are under the Sovereignty of the United States Government and since 2001 are defined as the Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.

There is no native population but the atoll formed of coral that developed around a volcanic rim hosts unique marine flora and fauna. Amongst the surface dwellers are the coconut crabs that both husk and eat coconuts, 29 types of birds many of whom are endangered and the also endangered Green turtles.