Bikini Lagoon is the first UNESCO World Heritage site for the Marshall Islands archipelago and is undisputedly ranked first on any serious wreck diver’s bucket-list.
After the end of WWII, the Americans amassed a fleet of ships comprising of both Japanese and American vessels. Two nuclear bombs were then unleashed, one from the air and one from underwater, unleashing untold devastation. More than 75 years on, the area is now considered safe enough to dive, with liveaboard expeditions offers to suitably qualified technical divers to explore the legendary Ghost Fleet. Wreck highlights here include USS Saratoga, HIJMS Nagato and USS Arkansas. Choose from 10, 11 or 13 night itineraries and explore this shipwreck graveyard.
Best time to dive bikini lagoon
Bikini Lagoon is best dived from May to September, when conditions are calm and visibility excellent. It is only during these months that liveaboards make expeditions to this region.
CLIMATE, WATER TEMPERATURE AND VISIBILITY
Temperatures on land range from 25 to 30°C, while water temperatures are consistently around 28°C
Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several LOCAL factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain.
DIVING IN Bikini lagoon – LIVEABOARDS
There are 21 shipwrecks to discover on this once in a lifetime adventure, famously known as the Ghost Fleet. Most renowned is the wreck of the USS Saratoga. A huge aircraft carrier, this is the shallowest of the Bikini wrecks and allows for multiple penetration dives. Other highlights include the HIJMS Nagato - feared Japanese battleship, the USS Arkansas, the USS Anderson and the USS Lamson.
Diving in Bikini Lagoon is for technical divers only with suitable diving experience. The extended range diving offered on liveaboard itineraries requires that only one or two dives are offered per diving day on itineraries.
Sample itineraries
Bikini Lagoon
FLIGHT INFORMATION
For Bikini Atoll, you will need to first fly from the UK into Honolulu and overnight here. The following day you continue to the Marshall Islands, crossing the International Date Line before landing in Kwajalein Airport. Flights typically take up two days.
All passengers travelling via Honolulu need to complete an ESTA. This must be done online in advance of UK departure. The Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit the US for up to 90 days. The types of journey allowed under the VWP include tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
You can obtain the mandatory 30 day visa on arrival at the airport. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into the Marshall Islands.
Please always check for last minute changes in entry requirements at the Foreign & Commonwealth website. Nationalities other than British citizens should check with their own consular office. Please always check your own entry requirements, regardless of your nationality.
AIRPORT TAX
There is currently a departure tax of USD 20 when leaving the country by air. Please make sure you have cash available as credit cards are not accepted and ATM machines are not available at the airports.
VACCINATIONS & HEALTH INFORMATION
There are no compulsory vaccinations, but we do recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A, polio and rabies. The risk of malaria in Australasia is generally very low and therefore anti-malarials are not immediately recommended.
Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your local travel clinic.
Current information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.