Bikini April 25, May 2, 2009 - liveaboard
Bikini Atoll opened to divers in June of 1996 and offers up the best wreck diving in the world. Where else can you
dive an intact aircraft carrier with airplanes in the hanger deck? In addition to the great diving the island is a pristine example of a tropical paradise. There are miles of the most pristine powder soft sand I have ever curled my toes in.
"...There are not many places that could look more like the Garden of Eden..."
Conde Nast Traveler Magazine, in their July 2000 issue, declaring Bikini Atoll one of the
"Top 50 Worldwide Island Escapes."
When you go to Bikini you don't just go diving , fishing and sunbathing, you get a history lesson.
Over the course of the week historical documentary films are shown, complete briefings about each
of the ships and their respective histories are given, and you get a tour of the island and the atoll.
Contrary to what most people believe, Bikini is actually a very benign environment for deep diving.
All dives are made in clear, warm water lagoon with no discernible current. The maximum depth attained on any of our dives is 175 feet (you will need a shovel to get deeper than that!).
The operation is set up to deal with the risks of staged decompression diving in a way that divers
with no previous experience are allowed to gain some new skills and at the same time have an
incredible week of diving. You don't need to be a "Super Tech Diver" to do the Bikini dive program
Skin Diver Magazine, in their October 2002 issue, declaring Bikini Atoll
one of the "24 Dives of a Lifetime."
The USS Saratoga is the largest diveable vessel in the world, and the only aircraft carrier
available for diving.
She is 880 feet long, bigger than titanic, and comes to within 40 feet of surface. The flight deck sits at
90 feet, the hanger deck at 125 feet with Helldivers with bombs and controls inplace are in full view.
Another historic ship, the Nagato was the Japanese Flagship to the Japanese Navy.
She was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's floating fortress during Japan 's World War II atta ck on
Pearl Harbor.
The 32,720 ton battleship is at rest upside down in 170 feet of water; her bridge is accessible at
150 feet, the hull and monstrous props at 110 feet.
The 562 feet long battleship USS Arkansas, sits at rest almost completely upside down in 170 feet of
water. This Arkansas received four battle stars for her service in World War II and was sunk by BAKER.
A 312 feet long American submarine, USS Apogon SS-30, received five battle stars and was sunk
by BAKER.
She now appears perfectly upright as if ready to drive away on the bottom of Bikini 's lagoon.
Eric Hanauer of Discover Diving commented, "The shadowy silhouette of Apogon's conning tower,
completely enveloped by glassy sweepers, is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen
underwater."
A ccomodations are in 12 aircond itioned rooms right on the beach. Each room has private facilities
and 24 hour 110 volt power. Water is made on the island by reverse osmosis. The island is completely
safe – you just can't eat the coconuts!
We depart on or before April 22 and meet in Honolulu . We depart the next morning for Majuro in the
Marshall Islands where we spend one night. We fly on to Bikini the next morning and return home
May 3. While on Bikini we make 12 dives.
Included:
- One night in Majuro
- Air between Majuro and Bikini
- 7 nights on Bikini
- All meals while on Bikini
- Tanks and weights while on Bikini
Not included:
- Air to Majuro – we have contract rates on Continental Airlines
- Hotel accommodations in Honolulu
- Meals in Hawaii and Majuro
Cost – estimated $3,650
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