ARNO FACT FILE
Number of islets: 133. Population RMI Census 2021: 1,141 (619 males, 522 females). Land area: 5 square miles. Lagoon area: 130.77 square miles. Airstrips at Ine and Tinak. Yacht permit fee: $150. Mayor: Baji Danny. Nitijela Members: Mike Halferty, Gerald Zackios.
Arno is the closest atoll to Majuro at 15 miles between the closest points. Captain Ronnie Reimers, who is a founder of the Marshalls Billfish club, ferries people and freight on his fishing boat Kirtake, which he keeps at the RRE Shoreline dock. You can find Ronnie at the Shoreline or at Tide Table in the morning.
Brett Taylor kindly gave me permission to use his Arno Atoll video.
Arno Beachcomber Lodge
Francis Reimers’ Arno Beachcomber Lodge is “the Marshall Islands’ best kept secret,” according to Coral and Alan Jones, who spent a couple of days there a few years ago. “I just wish we’d known about it before now,” said Coral, an Australian volunteer who worked at Women United Together in the Marshall Islands.
“The accommodation is very comfortable. It’s spacious and very clean.” said Coral.
A number of boats service Arno, but the main ‘ferry’ is Ronnie Reimers’ Kirtake. You can call him on his cell phone: (692) 456-4859. “The house has a queen bed, a double bed and a single bed,” said Cora.” The newer buildings have sleeping for another six to 10 people.
On arrival in Arno Arno, a pickup took Coral’s group the two miles to the B&B. “The house is right next to the lagoon in a secluded area with a school nearby and a simple medical clinic about a half mile down the road.”
Francis can provide a cooler of goodies for breakfast, but it’s a good idea to take your own food for the other meals.
To book Arno Beachcomber Lodge, contact the handicraft store Happy Hands next to RRE Hotel or contact the owners at iva1909@yahoo.com
MOHHS Health Performance Improvement Initiative
In February, 2026, the RMI sailing-cargo vessel Juren Ae took a team from the Ministry of Health and Human Services to 17 atolls and one island, including Arno Atoll. The team was working on a health improvement initiative, which included a survey of how health and communication was improving. They also installed new equipment and provided the health assistant with medical supplies.
The photos are by Ellinoora Markkanen for GIZ.
The Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism produced the following video. Visit their site: www.rmiocit.org
