Bikini Atoll Dive Tourism Information


August 23, 2008

Dear All,

The Kili/Bikini/Ejit Local Government Council met for several days during August, 2008, to consider its fiscal year 2009 budget.  It was decided at this meeting that Bikini Atoll would remain closed for normal tourism operations during 2009.  The Council made this decision due to the ongoing reliability issues with our local airline, Air Marshall Islands, the rise in the world price of fuel, and the decline in the stock market and the impact that this has had on our trust funds (which were used to subsidise our dive program):  Together, all of these issues have caused our operating expenses to rise beyond our means.

Currently, the Council is engaged in negotiations with several entities which are interested in taking over the Bikini tourism operation.  It is unknown how long these negotiations will last, or if they will prove fruitful, but, if there is an update regarding the tourism operation, it will be posted on this website.

Bikini is allowing certain types of vessels to visit Bikini Atoll and dive on the wrecks provided definitive prior arrangements are made with Bikini Atoll Divers.

These vessels or yachts must be completely self-contained, and must include:

*adequate international communications equipment

*housing, dining facilities, and supplies (all food, water, medical equipment, etc)

*all equipment needed to fill tanks and take care of divers, including any nitrox, oxygen or specialized medical equipment

*preferably have a helicopter for medical evacuation purposes

During such visits our local government will send along a diver and up to two Local Government Council representatives--at the vessel owner's expense--to make sure that no artifacts are removed from the ships.

If you want more information regarding this kind of expedition, please contact: bikini@ntamar.net.

Sincerely,

Jack Niedenthal
Tourism Operations Manager for
the Bikini Atoll Local Government

This tourism portion of the web site will remain for the time being...
We will continue to sell dive program T-shirts at the Bikini Online Store
for as long as we have the items in stock.

2008
available weeks
(spaces available)
2009 available weeks
(spaces available)
2009 available weeks
(spaces available)
2009 available weeks
(spaces available)
Week is full if not listed. Mar 4-11 Cancelled May 27-Jun 3 Cancelled Sept 23-30 Cancelled
Jun 4-11 (10) (last week) Mar 11-18 Cancelled Jun 3-10 Cancelled Sept 30-Oct 7 Cancelled
Mar 18-25 Cancelled Jul 15-22 Cancelled Oct 7-14 Cancelled
Mar 25-Apr 1 Cancelled Jul 22-29 Cancelled Oct 14-21 Cancelled
Apr 1-8 Cancelled Jul 29-Aug 5 Cancelled Oct 21-28 Cancelled
Apr 8-15 Cancelled Aug 5-12 Cancelled Oct 28-Nov 4 Cancelled
Apr 15-22 Cancelled Aug 12-19 Cancelled Nov 4-11 Cancelled
Apr 22-29 Cancelled Aug 19-26 Cancelled Nov 11-18 Cancelled
Apr 29-May 6 Cancelled Aug 26-Sept 2 Cancelled
May 6-13 Cancelled Sept 2-9 Cancelled
May 13-20 Cancelled Sept 9-16 Cancelled Availability questions
saratoga@ntamar.net
May 20-27 Cancelled Sept 16-23 Cancelled updated: 8/22/08
The dates listed above may now be full, please email saratoga@ntamar.net for current availability


Been There? Done That?
Are you a diver looking for an extraordinarily new experience?
THEN WELCOME TO YOUR NEW FANTASY...

We will rock your underwater world.

"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 dive Bikini, you are touching the face of history..."

- Skin Diver Magazine, in their October 2002 issue, declaring Bikini Atoll
one of the "24 Dives of a Lifetime."

Bikini Atoll opened to divers in June of 1996 to provide an economic base for a possible future resettlement of Bikini Atoll. The Bikini Atoll Council, under the name of Bikini Atoll Divers, fulfilled their goal to open the one of the most professional--and safest--dive operations possible.
 
Over the past few years a small number of people outside of the Marshall Islands have seen this form of commercialism on Bikini Atoll as something negative. It should be understood that the islanders themselves made the decision to open the atoll for tourism and are currently in control of the entire operation. 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. The Bikinians feel this to be important because this allows their story to be taken away by tourists and retold to their families and friends. In short, the tourism program helps perpetuate a story the islanders never want to see go away, ever.

Index for Dive Information
INFO
 The Head Divemaster reviews what equipment and skills are needed to dive on Bikini.
Dive Profiles for the Bikini wreck dive tours, Resort Facilities and Divemaster Qualifications.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
 Rebreather Information for those wishing to bring rebreathers to Bikini Atoll.
The Bikini Atoll Resort Facilities
$$$$$
Bikini Online Store:
Dive T-shirts, Books, Videos, DVDs, and USS Saratoga Posters

Read more about the 2004 Discovery Channel film project.



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