BIKINI ATOLL
In 1996 the people of Bikini opened their atoll to the outside world as a dive, sport fishing and tourism destination, and has since drawn praise from many around the globe. When you visit Bikini, it has been said that you don't just dive, fish or sunbathe, you get a history lesson for the ages.

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.

BIKINI ATOLL DIVERS
Bikini Atoll is one of the worlds most exclusive dive resorts. Opened to scuba divers in 1996, Bikini is a destination that has to be seen to be believed! Offering 7 night trips only, the air conditioned beachfront rooms will allow you to relax with the greatest of ease after your dives. As far as safe, professional dive operators are concerned, Bikini Atoll Divers ranks up there with the best of them. With divers having the opportunity to be amongst ships decimated by nuclear testing in 1946, this is truly one of the worlds most unique diving experiences.

USS Saratoga CV-3
Commissioned in 1927, this American aircraft carrier rests in Bikini's lagoon at a depth of 58 metres (190 feet). Her bridge is easily accessible at 12 metres, her deck at 28 metres, and the hanger for the Helldivers at 38 metres. These Helldivers and bombs are still on display complete with all dials and controls.

Eight hours after the waves created by the atomic Baker blast rolled over her, New York Times correspondent Hanson W. Baldwin wrote this epitaph as he watched the Saratoga sink slowly beneath Bikini's lagoon: "There were many who had served her in the observing fleet and they fought with her through the long hot hours as the sun mounted. Outside the reef...the observing ships cruised, while the Sara slowly died. There were scores who wanted to save her-and perhaps she might have been saved, had there been a crew aboard. But she died a lonely death, with no man upon the decks once teaming with life, with pumps idle and boilers dead. From three o'clock on she sank fast, her buoyancy gone, as the fleet kept the death watch for a 'fighting lady.' The Sara settled-the air soughing from her compartments like the breath from exhausted lungs. At 3:45 p.m. the starboard aft corner of her flight deck was awash; then the loud speakers blared: 'The water is up to her island now; the bow is high in the air.' She died like a queen-proudly. The bow slowly reared high; the stern sank deep, and, as if striving for immortality, the Sara lifted her white numeral 3 high into the sun before her bow slipped slowly under. Her last minutes were slow and tortured; she fought and would not sink, but slowly the 3 was engulfed by the reaching waters, the tip of her mast was the last bit of Sara seen by man." Unless, of course, you are a diver fortunate enough to be visiting Bikini Atoll! The USS Saratoga is the largest diveable vessel in the world, and one of the only aircraft carriers available fordiving.