Namdrik Atoll

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Namdrik Atoll

Landsat picture of Namdik Atoll
Atoll in the Marshall Islands
Namdrik Atoll
Geography
Location	North Pacific
Coordinates	05°37′00″N 168°07′00″E / 5.61667°N 168.11667°E / 5.61667; 168.11667
Archipelago	Ralik
Total islands	2
Area	2.8 km2 (1.1 sq mi)
Highest elevation	3 m (10 ft)
Administration
Demographics
Population	299 (2021)
Ethnic groups	Marshallese
Ramsar Wetland
Designated	2 February 2012
Reference no.	2072[1]

Namdrik Atoll or Namorik Atoll (Marshallese: Nam̧dik, [nʲɑmˠ(wi)rʲik]^[2]) is a coral atoll of two islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only 2.8 square kilometers (1.1 sq mi), but it encloses a lagoon with an area of 8.4 square kilometers (3.2 sq mi). The atoll had a population of 299 at the 2021 census.^[3]

Namdrik Atoll is located approximately 145 kilometers (90 mi) west-southwest of Jaluit, and 117 kilometers (73 mi) northwest of Ebon Atoll. The atoll consists of two large wooded islets. The larger (also called Namorik) wraps around the central lagoon from the southwest to the northeast, while the smaller island closes off the northwest corner of the lagoon. A coral islet stands between them on the reef, with numerous black boulders. The very shallow lagoon is cut off from the sea by the drying coral reef. Boats can cross the reef with difficulty, at high water on the west side of the atoll.

Landing near the west side of Namorik Islet can be effected about 90 m south of it. There is no shelter during northeast winds, and it is dangerous with strong southwest winds when there is a heavy sea. There is a fringing reef which extends about 135 m in the vicinity of the landing place. There is a depth of about 1.2 m and there are rocks in places. Two stranded wrecks lie about 90 m off the south shore along the reef line. (Sailing Directions Pub-153)