pacific master – divedate | a bespoke dive travel agency

Minimum dive certification and experience requirements:

Recreational Divers: PADI Advanced Open Water, or equivalent, with a minimum of 50 logged dives. Deep Diver Speciality (40 metres) certification is also recommended.
Technical and Rebreather Divers are required to have the relevant certification and experience for the depths and type of diving which they are intending to do.

the shipwrecks of bikini atoll▼

the shipwrecks of bikini atoll.

After the Second World War, the USA collected a ‘mock’ naval fleet for the purpose of testing the impact of different atomic bombs on a large fleet. These nuclear bomb tests were performed in several remote locations in the South Pacific Ocean, known as the Pacific Proving Grounds. Bikini Atoll was appointed one of the designated testing areas within the Marshall Islands, where a grand total of 67 nuclear bombs have been detonated within the framework of Operation Crossroads and several other Operations.

Between 1946 and 1958, not less than 23 atomic bombs were tested at Bikini Atoll only, which resulted in a unique collection of shipwrecks consisting of war battleships, cruisers, and an aircraft carrier.

In March 1954, the notorious dry fuel hydrogen bomb ‘Castle Bravo’ was detonated in Bikini. This bomb was the US’ most powerful nuclear device ever; 1,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It left a 2 km wide and 76 metre deep crater in the lagoon of Bikini. More than 60 years later, the shipwrecks remain equally as impressive while they have become home to many kinds of corals and fish species.

The Unique Shipwrecks of Bikini Atoll:

USS Saratoga

The signature dive of Bikini Lagoon: the USS Saratoga CV-3 Aircraft carrier. This 270 metres (888 ft) long and 29 metres (95ft) wide ship weighs 39,000 tons and rests upright in Bikini Lagoon at a depth of 52 metres with her bridge easily accessible at 18 metres depth and her flight deck at 28 metres. The majority of the Helldiver planes were swept off the flight deck during the Baker test and the remains of them are scattered across the seabed around the Saratoga, although there are also a few still inside the hangar which is no longer accessible.

On the deck though, 350lb and 500lb bombs, air drop torpedoes and depth charges can all still be found. Remarkable detail: the Japanese reported the USS Saratoga sunk 7 times during World War II. She did, however, suffer damage on multiple occasions during the war and was therefore chosen to be used as a testing target in Bikini Atoll.

IJN Nagato

This battleship was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy as the first super-dreadnought to mount 16-inch (406 mm) guns. Together with a cruising speed of 26.5 knots, this made her the Imperial Japanese Navy’s flagship as well as one of the most powerful and versatile warships in the world at that time, and the most (in)famous Japanese ship being the one from which Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto gave the final order to start the attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941.

After the Japanese surrender, the Nagato was seized and used for testing during Operation Crossroads in 1946. She landed completely upside down on the seabed at 52 metres (170ft). Her most prominent features are the four propellers at a depth of 33.5 metres (110ft), the 16″ guns in the stern and bow areas suspended from her hull at 50 metres (164ft), and her unmistakable Pagoda mast from where history was made.

USS Arkansas

An American dreadnought, measuring 171 metres (562 ft) long and armed with twelve 12-inch guns and capable of a top speed of 20.5 knots. The USS Arkansas served in both World War I and World War II; escorting convoys in the Atlantic and bombarding shore targets during the invasions of Normandy, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

She was moored only 500 ft. away from the intended atomic bomb detonation in 1946 and was supposedly lifted up vertically within the blast column. She sank completely only 19 minutes after the blast, ending almost completely upside down on the sandy bottom at 55 meters depth.

USS Lamson

The American Mahan-class Destroyer ship was sunk very early on during the tests in Bikini Atoll and appears almost like a pirate ship underwater. With her length of 104 metres (341 ft), she might not be the biggest of the Bikini wrecks but that makes her perfect as you can really take your time to explore. Sitting upright in about 55m depth, with the decks around 48-50m, she features several guns, torpedoes, bombs and generally provides good access to divers along with great visibility making her a really exceptional dive.

USS Anderson

The 106 metres (348ft) long by 11 metres (36ft) wide Sims-class destroyer was built in 1939 and served at different locations during World War II, participating in fighting battles in the Atlantic and the Pacific using her machine guns, anti-aircraft missiles and torpedoes, taking down many enemy aircraft as well as assisting in anti-submarine warfare. She now rests mostly intact on her starboard side at a depth of 52 meters. At the stern you can see the depth charge racks and the propellers and, past the gun turrets and torpedo tubes, amidst the debris on the forward superstructure, there is a compass as well as an interesting collection of artifacts such as a clock which stopped forever at 8:21.

USS Apogon

The Apogon is submarine of the Balao-class that headed straight for Hawaii and the Marshall Islands after her launch in 1943, whose active duties were patrolling designated areas in the South Pacific and attacking enemy (i.e. Japanese) ships. The Apogon lies completely intact at a depth of 48 metres with an average depth of 43 metres and is the only submarine that can be dived in Bikini Atoll. Divers can easily explore the conning tower, viewing binoculars on the bridge, and propellers which are covered by red sponges.

USS Carlisle

A Gilliam-class attack support boat, 130 metres (426 ft) long and 18 metres (58 ft) wide that served as merchant vessel transporter within the US Navy in the Second World War. Finished and acquired by the Navy in 1944, she arrived late into the war and was assigned to transport operations, of which she only performed 3. Hence, she never participated in any combat situations. She sank in 1946 as a result of Operation Crossroads’ Able Test, and now rests upright in the sand at 51 metres depth, with her deck at 40 metres.

Kwajalein Atoll – Prinz Eugen

Being a war prize awarded to the USA by Britain after WWII resulted in the atomic fate for this German heavy cruiser. She survived the blasts of Operation Crossroads, even though she was already damaged, and she was towed to Kwajalein. Here, she ultimately capsized and sank to her final resting place in December 1946. Nowadays, a part of the ship is still visible above water.

the shipwrecks of truk lagoon▼

During World War II, Truk Lagoon was the Empire of Japan’s main base in the South Pacific Theatre and was a heavily fortified base for Japanese naval operations against Allied forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In February of 1944, Truk was devastated in one of the most important naval attacks of the war, “Operation Hailstone”, which resulted in the loss of 51 ships, including transport vessels and a submarine, as well as several aircraft. The result of this attack is a large collection of wrecks, closely packed into a coral lagoon, many of which lie at depths easily reached by recreational divers.

The majority of the wrecks in Truk Lagoon are Japanese merchant vessels, known as Maru, that had been left at anchor; Some had been fortified with anti-aircraft weapons, and many carried important army supplies including Zero Fighter aircraft parts, tanks, torpedo shells, trucks and road supplies. Bottles, cooking utensils, personal items, and other artifacts from everyday life can be found in several of the wrecks, serving as a poignant reminder of those who lost their lives during the battle. The more gruesome reminders of the conflict, such as human skulls, have since been removed and may only be seldom found in the deeper reaches of the wrecks.

Over the course of your liveaboard itinerary, we will explore many of the wrecks detailed below. Where it is not possible to dive on a particular wreck for any reason, we will do our best to offer diving at alternate locations.

Fujikawa Maru

A signature dive of Truk Lagoon, this 132 meter (436ft) armed cargo ship sits perfectly upright on the sandy bottom at a depth of 37 metres (121ft), whilst the forward king post reaches up to just 9 meters (30ft). The ‘Fuji’ offers 6 holds, 4 of which are open, in which can be found parts of Zero Fighter Aircraft including engine parts, propeller blades, and fuel cells. Deeper inside the wreck, Mitsubishi A5m Claude & A6M parts can be discovered. The bow gun is encrusted with corals and the outer wreck supports sea fans, soft corals & anemones. Exploring the ‘Fuji’ is possible for divers of all levels; However, deeper penetration into the engine room will only be permitted to certified tec / wreck divers. On 10 night itineraries we will offer several dives on this famous wreck to allow our guests to explore in full and take photographs at different times of day.

Submarine I.169

Quickly submerging during the attack to avoid damage, the submarine, unfortunately, failed to close her valves allowing water to enter as she descended; she came to rest on her port side at a depth of 42 meters (138ft) with her starboard at around 30 meters (99ft).

IJN Fumizuki

A 97m (300ft) long Japanese Destroyer that sits upright in 39m (128ft) of water rising up to 27m (89ft). Covered in marine life she is a pleasure to dive.

Yamagiri Maru

Resting on her port side at 33 meters, and almost completely intact despite repeated bombings, the Yamagiri freighter still contains many artillery shells and ammunition as well as the construction equipment she was carrying when she sank.

Kensho Maru

A favorite dive for many visitors to Truk Lagoon, the Kensho was a passenger-cargo ship that was undergoing repairs when she was hit by US airstrikes. She now rests upright at a maximum depth of 38 meters while her superstructure is at just 18 meters. Her engine room is easily accessible making it one of the best to explore in Truk; There is an intact gun at the bow and, in the holds, you can find a salvage pump, gas bottles, batteries, and cooking utensils. You can swim past her steering equipment at the stern and exit through a bomb hole, and visit the galley, bathrooms, toilets, radio room, and bridge in the main superstructure.

Shinkoku Maru

A large oil tanker, the Shinkoku Maru is encrusted with corals, sponges & hydroids. With a depth range of 9 meters – 39 meters, highlights include the telegraph room on the bridge, a spacious engine room, and a galley that still features many utensils on the large stove. Small guns, mounted fore and aft are also covered with corals making this one of the most colourful and spectacular wrecks to be found in Truk.

Nippo Maru

With a depth range of 21 meters – 47 meters (69ft – 154ft) the Nippo is an intriguing dive site for recreational divers and tech divers alike. With a tank and howitzer guns on deck, and 5-inch guns in the holds, the Nippo is not to be missed.

Heian Maru

The largest ship in the lagoon, the Heian, originally used as a cargo ship, is 165m (510ft) in length and lies on her port side in 35m (115 ft) of water. Within her holds divers may find torpedoes, shells, and even the occasional periscope.

San Francisco Maru

NOTE: Due to the depth of the San Francisco Maru, diving on this wreck will only be offered to those divers possessing the necessary training and experience to plan and safely execute technical dives. The passenger-cargo ship, weighing 5,831 tons, lays upright at a depth of 60-62m (195-203 ft). Here divers can check out the remains of many well-preserved war-relics including three large tanks which rest on the deck at 50m (164ft).

Hoki Maru

This 30m (100ft) long freighter which is only partially intact sits upright from 50m (165ft) at the bottom to 21m (68ft) at the top. The aft hold carries trucks, tractors, and road supplies whilst sake bottles and rice bowls can also be found strewn around the wreck. The superstructure is awe-inspiring and covered with brightly colored sponges.

Gosei Maru

A submarine tender carrying torpedoes starts in just 3m (10ft) and drops to 35m (115 ft) within which can be found many personal artifacts, serving as a reminder of those who lost their lives during the battle.

Rio de Janeiro Maru

140m (430ft) long she lies on her port side at 35m (115 ft). Once a luxury passenger vessel she was converted to a cargo vessel in wartime. Exploration of her holds turns up a range of supplies from beer bottles to guns. The upper deck reaches to an easily diveable depth of 9m (30ft).

Betty Bomber

A Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” Bomber aircraft lies on the seabed at 18m (60ft) and is surrounded by schooling fish. Nicknamed: “The Flying Cigar” for its shape but also because the aircraft lit up when shot, as the fuel tanks were unprotected.

trip inclusions▼

✔ 10 nights full board accommodation including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks

✔ Unlimited tea, coffee, fruit juice, drinking water & soft drinks

✔ Deck towels, bath towels and liquid soap

✔ Up to 2 dives per day

✔ Mid-trip land visit on Bikini Island

✔ Transfers on embarkation and disembarkation days

trip exclusions▼

Obligatory surcharges:

✖ All flights

✖ All guests are required to have diving and travel insurance

✖ Departure Tax: 20 USD per trip, to be paid at the airport

✖ Marine, park, and port fees:
Bikini Atoll 10 & 11 nights: USD 500
Bikini Atoll 13 nights: USD 600
Truk Lagoon 7 nights: USD 195
Truk Lagoon 9 nights: USD 240
Truk Lagoon 10 nights: 250 USD

PLEASE NOTE: Marine & Port fees are subject to change without notice. The applicable amount at the time of departure will be added to your onboard extras to be paid prior to disembarkation.

Optional surcharges:

✖ Nitrox

✖ Alcoholic beverages

✖ Flights and hotel before and/or after the cruise

✖ Gases (charged per liter, per fill – payable on board only)

✖ Sofnolime (required quantity MUST be pre-ordered. Cost is payable on board only)

✖ Laundry

✖ Crew gratuity

✖ Tech gear

payment terms▼

❖ If booking is made more than 300 days prior to departure date: 5% of the total invoice value is due.

❖ If booking is made between 300 and 61 days prior to departure date: 30% of the total invoice value is due.

❖ Balance is due 60 days or less prior to trip start date.

cancellation policies▼

❖ If cancellation is made more than 300 days prior to departure date: 5% of the total invoice value will be charged.

❖ If cancellation is made between 300 – 61 days prior to departure date: 30% of the total invoice value will be charged (or deposit amount paid, whichever is greater).

❖ If cancellation is made 60 days or less prior to departure date: 100% of the total invoice value will be charged.

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