“Can you even call yourself a real wreck diver unless you have dived Truk Lagoon?”

Original member of the Dirty Dozen, technical diver Mark Powell kicked off with a powerful introduction at his presentation last weekend when speaking at the Go Diving Show 2020.

Examining the differences between Truk Lagoon and Bikini Atoll in the run up to his trip with Dirty Dozen Expeditions to this trip of a lifetime destination, Bikini Atoll on 17th-28th August 2021, he commented:

“I loved doing the talk on Truk and Bikini. As a passionate wreck diver, it was a fantastic opportunity to talk to so many other passionate wreck divers.  Going through my talk made me realise how much I'm looking forward to my next trip to Truk and then exploring the unique wrecks of Bikini in 2021.”

Ever the professional, Mark was unperturbed by the very surprising Viking invasion on the stage in front of the packed audience! Check out the action in the image below!

Bikini is the next step on from Truk, and although they are relatively close in proximity, they are no means a hop, skip and a jump near to each other.  Travel time to Bikini Atoll is far longer than to Truk, expect a 26-hour sail to Bikini before we can even start diving.

The Marshall Islands are tricky to navigate in terms of operational logistics as the area is still an active US military base.

The popularity of Truk was heightened by Cousteau’s ‘The Lagoon of Lost Ships,’ and therefore has seen a drop in price throughout the region which contributes to the lower expedition costs. The government of The Federated States of Micronesia seems to have responded to demand and made tourism viable.

Upon arrival in Bikini, you still get searched by the military.

These are some of the key differences between Truk Lagoon and Bikini Atoll, differences that make diving in each an entirely unique adventure.

One destination is not better than the other, but each diver should decide with suits them best.

To book, register your interest, or find out more about exploring the Marshall Island’s treasured wrecks with Special Guest Mark Powell, located halfway between Hawaii and Australia visit https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/now.