Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands

About The Expedition

This is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the Bikini Atoll nuclear ghost fleet created by Operation Crossroads in 1946.

After World War II, the U.S. assembled a “dummy” naval fleet in order to test the impact of different atomic bombs on a large fleet. These nuclear bomb tests were conducted at several remote locations in the South Pacific Ocean, known as Pacific Proving Grounds. Bikini Atoll was designated as one of the designated test areas within the Marshall Islands, where a total of 67 nuclear bombs were detonated as part of Operation Crossroads and several other operations.

Between 1946 and 1958, no less than 23 atomic bombs were tested at Bikini Atoll alone, resulting in a unique collection of wrecks consisting of battleships, cruisers and an aircraft carrier.

In March 1954, the notorious ‘Castle Bravo’ dry-fuel hydrogen bomb was detonated at Bikini. This bomb was the most powerful US nuclear device; 1,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It left a crater 2 km wide and 76 m deep in the Bikini lagoon. More than 60 years later, the wrecks are still just as impressive and have become home to many types of corals and fish species.

Nowhere else can you immerse yourself in such a fantastic collection of shipwrecks, including battleships, submarines, destroyers and, most notably, the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. More than 60 years later, the nuclear ghost fleet (as these wrecks are known) rests in crystal clear waters that have since become home to a wealth of marine life with thriving reefs and corals. Only since 1996 has Bikini Atoll been open for diving, making this destination a unique combination of spectacular historic shipwrecks in a remote and unspoiled tropical paradise.

The Boat

• We will stay at the Pacific Master for 13 nights with 19 scheduled dives, all with long run times available.
• The Pacific Master has 9 cabins available, and our trip will have a limit of only 16 divers.
• With different cabin options, we have space to suit your budget.
• As the wrecks of Bikini Atoll are only suitable for long range diving and due to the remote location of this trip and gas availability this will be a CCR level trip only and all participants must have a MOD2 (60m / 200ft) certification as a minimum with 100 logged dives and wreck diving experience. If you have any questions about this, please contact us directly for more details and training opportunities

Includes:

• 13 nights on board the Pacific Master
• All meals and beverages.
• Up to 19 programmed dives.
• Single 80 CF tank and weights.

Does not include:

• International flight to Kwajalein (KWA).
• Park and port fees.
• Personal diving equipment.
• Accommodation before or after the trip if necessary.
• Mixtures: Oxygen, Nitrox, Helium, Sofnolime.
• Tips
• The unspecified

What you need to know:

Dive Level: MOD2 CCR, Experience Level: High

Don’t forget

DAN dive insurance, complete diving equipment including surface marker buoy, finger reel, dive computer and wetsuit. Hat and sunglasses, personal hygiene items, sunscreen and insect repellent.