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During 1946, following the end of WW2, the USA gathered together a “mock” naval fleet in order to test the effects of atomic bombs on the large fleet. The site chosen for the explosive tests was Bikini Atoll. Around the same time French fashion designer Louis Reard was looking for a name for his new, controversial, tiny swimsuit design and the “Bikini” was launched.

Bikini Lagoon became the final resting place for some of the most significant warships in history. Bikini Atoll was opened for diving in 1996 allowing divers to experience some of the most historic and amazing wreck diving in the world.

Bikini Lagoon is the final resting place of some of the finest and most famous WW2-era naval vessels. A huge assortment of types litter the lagoon floor, from mighty battleships and carriers to destroyers, submarines and smaller transports and landing craft.

Some of the more popular dives:

USS Saratoga - The only fully "dive-able" US aircraft carrier in the world lies upright in 180 feet of water. The superstructure is at 70 feet, deck at 100 feet and the airplane hangers at 130 feet. The USS Saratoga is a steel-hulled vessel with a waterline length of 830 feet and a flight deck of 888 feet officially weighing 33,000 standard tons.

HIJMS Nagato - Considered the flagship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The ship is inverted, lying in 160-170 feet of water. The steel hulled vessel is 708 feet long and weighed 38,500 standard tons.

USS Arkansas - A US battleship lies inverted in 180 feet of water. The riveted steel vessel is 562 feet long and weighed 23,066 standard tons.

USS Pilotfish & USS Apogon - Both US navy submarines 311.8 feet long & weighing 2424 standard tons submerged.

Bikini Lagoon Atoll Divers

Atoll Divers offer air conditioned, twin share beach units with private facilities. A field station building houses all kitchen, eating and entertainment areas.

Amenities: Bikini Atoll Divers is a full-service PADI dive operator with a new dive boat and 30' fishing boat. At the Ground Zero Galley dining facility, there is a wide selection of books, magazines and charts, pictures and plans of ships available to guests. For after hours there is a wide range of equipment for visitors to use including a table tennis table, a weight room and a large screen TV video room.

Activities: Bikini Atoll is known for its wonderful wreck diving, but is recommended only for advanced divers with previous wreck diving experience. Before each dive the divemasters give a full briefing about the vessel's history, unique characteristics and a comprehensive dive plan. The marine life has been virtually untouched for over forty years, and divers can see a great profusion of sharks, tunas, marlins, rays, turtles and much more. Guided fishing tours can also be arranged.