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Marshall Islands
As beautiful and lush as these islands are,
surrounded by their golden sandy beaches, for diving enthusiasts the
real action is under the water where there is some of the richest and
most varied marine life to be found anywhere in the world. Here’s a
taste of what you can expect to find at the various and unique destinations
including Bikini Atoll, Majuro, Rongelap.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION:
CLIMATE: The Marshall Islands have
a warm, tropical climate. The rainy season in southern districts is
from mid-May to late November, with the greatest falls between July
and October. The rain is rarely heavy however and there is still much
sunshine. Temperatures average around 28 degrees Celsius and humidity
averages 80%.
CURRENCY: The US Dollar is the unit
of currency. One Australian Dollar is worth approximately 0.90 US Dollars.
DRESS: Island-style prevails,
namely cool, loosely-fitting clothing. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreens
are highly recommended. Visitors are asked to respect local customs
by NOT wearing swimsuits and short shorts in town and public areas.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS: Australian and US passengers travelling to Micronesia
require a passport which must be valid for at least six months beyond your
intended stay.
Australian and US passport holders do not require a visa.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
Refer to your doctor for the latest health and inoculations required
for this destination.
LANGUAGE:
The official language is English, though Japanese is widely spoken
and local dialects are based on Chamorro.
ELECTRICITY: Electricity is 110
volts
DEPARTURE TAX: Most taxes are prepaid
on your international flight ticket. There are some departure taxes
from Micronesia not included. Please ask your Dive Travel Consultant
about these.
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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 for diving.
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MAJURO
The
Republic of the Marshall
Islands consists
of 29 atolls and 5 islands within 700,000 square miles of ocean. Although
the Marshall Islands covers
such a vast area, the total land area is a mere 70 square miles.
Majuro
is the most Westernized of the Marshall
Islands, but there's
still a lot that can be learned about life in the islands from a visit. You
can grasp what it's like to live on a ribbon of land so narrow that as
often as not, you can see the ocean on both sides.
Diving
in the Marshall Islands is
like playing in an underwater thrill park. 250 different species of coral
set in crystal clear waters, choreographed with over a thousand species of
fish give visitors more photographic opportunities than many places
in the world. There
are a wide variety of dives available, from steep drop-offs, to pinnacles,
to wrecks.
Some
spots hold pelagic fish while others offer many varieties of fish so tiny
and abundant the coral fingers seem alive as they search for tidbits of
food. Year-round warm water and the ability to always find a calm
place to explore something new makes the Marshall Islands a great choice
for a diving vacation to remember.
MARSHALL ISLANDS RESORT
The Marshall Islands Resort Hotel, formerly the Outrigger
Marshall Islands Resort, offers the best in convenience and comfort during
your stay on Majuro. Centrally located on a beautiful tropical lagoon,
the resort features complete hotel accommodation and guest services.Visitors
to Micronesia and to the Marshall Islands atolls including Rongelap and Bikini
will enjoy the amenities offered which include gourmet dining in the island
restaurant, tennis courts and swimming pool, 24-hour fitness centre, meeting
and banquet facilities and free shuttle service to the Majuro International
Airport.
You get the true feel of the islands in one of the 149 rooms
at the Marshall Islands Resort Hotel. A stunning lagoon view greets
you in the morning and lulls you to sleep at night. Enjoy a spectacular
Marshall Islands sunset from your balcony or from the sunset deck at the
restaurant.
BAKO
DIVERS
As
if that weren't enough, prepare to be served by a staff that is working
to make your diving vacation the best it can be. Dive sites are chosen
daily based on your desires, not what's convenient. They
strive to conduct dives at the best sites available on a days given conditions. For
instance, if you are excited by slow paced exploration, they will do their
best to provide just that. As well, requests for specific sites
are given top priority. It may sound out of
the ordinary, but it's quite simple. Ask and you shall receive.
In
addition, after the day is through, your gear can be left to dry on their
drying deck, where it will be safeguarded and returned the following morning,
ready to use. Rinse service and gear set-up are available with a simple
request. Quality,
personalized service is what has earned Bako Divers repeat business time and
time again.
To
sum it all up, Bako Divers is offering you the preeminent dive destination
in the Pacific. Whether you enjoy glorious coral gardens teeming with colorful
fish, photographic opportunities second to none, exciting drift dives, world
class wreck diving, encounters with the magnificent creatures of the deep,
or exploring the beautiful coral pinnacles inside Majuro lagoon, it's here
waiting for you.
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RONGELAP
Rongelap
Atoll is at the northern end of the Marshall Islands, 420 nautical miles from
Majuro. Rongelap has been uninhabited for over 20 years and has recently been
designated as a marine preserve. Be among the first to experience this phenomenal
destination.
This
is the atoll for big fish action. You'll be blown away by the abundant marine
life; curious sharks, turtles, intriguing exotic creatures surrounded by crystal
clear water. The passes of Rongelap offer unbelievable drift diving with an
abundance of grey reef sharks, manta rays, schools of jacks, and barracuda.
The ocean wall diving is spectacular with sheer drop-offs plunging to depths
of over 600 metres. Fingers cut into the walls with overhangs and amazing corals
to explore. In the lagoon you will find pinnacles, giant clams and shallow
coral playgrounds tucked in amongst wonderful islands.
On
land, beautiful white sand beaches, a beach combers paradise with abundance
of treasures washed onto the atolls, turtles nesting, varieties of seabirds,
amazing sunsets. Learn how to hunt for coconut crabs and have them cooked
for you... island style!
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KWAJALEIN
Kwajalein
is not easily accessible to most divers but the Oleanda have received permission
for them to travel the waters of Kwajalein Atoll from January through April 2006.
Kwajalein
is a wreck divers dream. Scattered throughout the lagoon, the wrecks vary in
depth from very shallow to over 52 metres and are loaded with various types
of cargo including airplanes, ammunition, cars and assorted cargo.
Kwajalein
Atoll is the largest atoll in the world circling a lagoon of nearly 850 square
miles. At one time Kwajalein was the most important base in the Marshalls for
support of the Japanese war effort.The underwater world of Kwajalein is a well
kept secret. Kwajalein Island is leased to the U.S. Army and is closed to the
general public. Given the war history of the area, it is a very desirable destination
for divers who love the wrecks or enjoy the lure of lush tropical reefs
  
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