Diving Bikini Lagoon is available from May to October from aboard the self-contained “MV Windward”.
The voyage from Kwajalein Atoll to Bikini Atoll is 215 nautical miles and takes approximately 25 hours, depending on conditions. 65 miles through the sheltered waters of Kwajalein Atoll takes 7 hours while the remainder of the journey in open seas takes around 18 hours. En-route there is the option of stopping at Wotho or Rongelap Atoll for a wall dive.
“MV Windward” is equipped with an on-board Deck Decompression Chamber, Nitrox, O2, Helium and sorb can be organized for the technically oriented diver.
Dive Profile
Due to the nature of the environment at Bikini Atoll the diving conditions are considered to be very advanced.
Dive Adventures recommend that only divers with the appropriate training and skill levels and who are confident and experienced divers even consider going to Bikini. Depending on the needs of each group, there is a minimum of two deep dives per day. If time and nitrogen levels permit there could be diving later in the day on reefs at shallower depths.
Sea Life
This area has been untouched for 40 years and has very prolific sea life including sharks, tuna, marlin, turtles and much more.
Radiological Status
The US Department of Energy (DOE)
and Lawrence Livermore Laboratories have carried out extensive research and monitoring of Bikini Atoll. Their reports state that in general the environment poses no radiological danger. However, there are some very low amounts of residual cesium deep in the soil that could be absorbed into plants with deep root systems, such as coconut trees. If these plants are consumed in large quantities, over a long periods of time, an unacceptable level of cesium may be absorbed by humans. "The potential dose [of radiation] to a person swimming in the Bikini Lagoon or diving on or around the sunken ships is so low ... that it can be considered essentially zero." |