Advice for diving Bikini Atoll in Marshall Islands

The wrecks of Bikini Atoll are considered to be some of the most well known and finest examples of World War II naval vessels. Battleships, carriers, destroyers, submarines, landing craft and smaller transporters lie on the sea floor at depths diveable down to 175 feet.

Bikini Lagoon is perfect for deep diving, with superb conditions. The visibility is exceptional; the water warm, and there is minimal (if any) current. May to October is the diving season when operators visit the area.

Due to the depths and type of diving at Bikini Atoll, only divers with the appropriate training and experience should attempt to dive here. The diving is very advanced and nitrox or mixed gases are used. There are normally two deep dives a day with the option to do shallower reef diving in the afternoon (if time and diver profiles allow). Nearly all of the dives are beyond recreational limits and require decompression stops.

The marine life is exemplary due to the area being a no fishing zone and the fact that Bikini Atoll has remained untouched since the atomic bombs were detonated in 1946. Sharks, blue marlin, tuna, all 5 species of turtle, and an abundance of marine mammals, turn these dives from amazing into phenomenal. Nearly 200 species of coral flourish in this area.

The USS Saratoga is the only US aircraft carrier that be dived in the world. She lies upright in 180 feet of water and her flight deck measures a whopping 888 feet. A mind blowing dive within comfortable depths for experienced divers: the superstructure is at 70 feet, flight deck at 100 feet and the airplane hangers are at 130 feet.

The provocative HIJMS Nagato was considered the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Lying in 170 feet of water, the ship is 708 feet long and an impressive sight underwater as it lies upside down with its four props on display and huge guns pointing to the sand. Another inverted wreck is the USS Arkansas; a US battleship at a depth of 180 feet. Measuring 562 feet long there is much to be explored.

All of the vessels were fully armed when they were sunk or scuttled. This means divers have to be aware of debris, large obstacles, live ammunition, silt and leaking oil or fuel - impeccably buoyancy is expected.

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