Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,
We hope this message finds you healthy and well. This week we bring you exclusive news on the future of diving in Bikini Atoll. Read on to find out more.
As I’m sure most of you are aware, the logistical costs of running an expedition vessel in Bikini Atoll are far higher than other more accessible destinations. As such, the vessel we use, and the only vessel that offers diving in Bikini Atoll, will be reducing the number of Bikini charters it offers.
As of today, we have secured several charter dates through until the end of 2026. However, with confirmation that no 2027 trips will be offered, and no additional dates being confirmed beyond 2027 as of yet, this may be the last chance for many divers to visit Bikini Atoll for a while.
We are hopeful that diving options for Bikini Atoll will resume at some point, however, accessing this remote destination has always been a challenge. From 1995, the shore-based dive resort at Bikini struggled to combat increasing costs and challenging logistics, finally closing its doors in 2008.
The following email was writen by the Dive Center Manager around the time the land based dive center was closed in 2008.
Dear All,
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this email.
After 13 great-though-challenging years as one of the premier wreck diving and fishing tourism sites in the Pacific, Bikini Atoll will be closed to tourists as of June 11, 2008 (the last week of customers will be June 4-11).
We have made this decision due to the situation of our local airline, Air Marshalls, and also because of the rapid rise in the world price of fuel, which has made all of our operating expenses just skyrocket beyond our means.
In August of this year our local government, during our annual budget meeting, will decide whether or not we can afford to open Bikini Atoll in 2009. At this point in time, given the challenges our trust fund is facing because of the recent poor performance of the US stock market and a recession-bound US economy, the prospect of opening next year appears very doubtful. This news has been very hard on the Bikinian leaders and our people as all of the proceeds from the operation have gone toward purchasing food for our communities on Kili Island, Ejit Island and Majuro Atoll.
We would like to take this time to thank our staff on Bikini Atoll for being patient over the last 7 months that saw our operation have only one week of visitors, and a one week visit by Paul Allen's mega-yacht, MY Octopus. We would also like to thank all of the people and organizations over the years that have helped support us in this truly amazing endeavor that opened up a fantastic diving and fishing destination for the world.
Hopefully, sometime in the future, there will be in an email in your inbox saying that Bikini Atoll has been reopened for tourists. Until then, God bless.
It would be another 10 years before divers were able to visit Bikini Atoll again with a stable yearly schedule, with our previous expedition vessel making the trip back in 2018. Dirty Dozen founder, Aron Arngrimsson, lead one of the inaugural expeditions.
We are heartbroken that the future of diving in this awesome destination is, once again, full of uncertainty. For those of you who have Bikini Atoll on your bucket list, now is the time to act. Book your trip and make sure you get in on the action before it’s too late.
GET ME TO BIKINI ATOLL
The following dates still have spaces on our calendar until end of 2026 season. You still have a chance to get your spot to dive one of the best wreck diving destinations on the planet.
CLICK ON A DATE BELOW TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT
That is it for this newsletter.
We look forward to some great adventures with you in the years to come and as always, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely, then we are here to chat Dirty
Best,
Aron ArngrÃmsson and the DDE Team