Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,
It is time we return to a very popular blog post we covered last year and expand on it as the 2021 Truk and Bikini season gets closer and a lot of the DDE team members are already planning their wreck pilgrimage.
The mere mention of dive trip logistics can make even the most organized explorer sweat. We understand, so don’t panic. Getting to the other side of the world to join us on your trip of a lifetime does not have to be a nightmare, quite the opposite in fact.
Check out our summary of the most frequently asked questions below, with links at the bottom to read more so your travel is as we like it, totally seamless.
Q: I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO PACK. HELP!
It’s no secret, technical diving is as gear-intensive as it gets. If you’re packing for Truk Lagoon or Bikini Atoll — some of the remotest diving destinations in the world — you want to have all your essentials with you. Add a sophisticated underwater camera setup and an advanced life-support system, and you have a recipe for sleepless nights wondering just how much you can stretch the bounds of your luggage allowance.
That’s why we have made our bulletproof checklist in co-operation with Richard Lundgren, Jill Heinerth and Adam Hanlon. And you can forget about the hairdryer. (We’ve got one onboard!). We also try and organize rebreathers spares between divers that have the same units before departure.
Q: HOW DO I GET THERE?!
truk Lagoon, Micronesia
You can fly to Chuuk (TKK) from either Guam, Hawaii, or Port Moresby, depending on where you are in the world. Flying from Mainland USA, Seoul, Tokyo or Manila will get you to these travel hubs.
Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
You can fly to Kwajalein (KWA) from either Guam or Hawaii through the travel hubs mentioned above.
UNITED AIRLINES
A Star Alliance member, United serves both these destinations exclusively from Guam (GUM) and Hawaii (HNL) on the famous island hopper and the route is served 4-5 times per week. These is probably the longest flight legs you have ever taken, so we highly recommend arriving 2 days before the trip starts or do a stopover in Guam or Hawaii.
Take advantage of free flex tickets
Usually, there is a hefty fee on booking flexible airfares. In these extraordinary times, United has no change fees on new bookings and we highly recommend taking advantage of it for peace of mind.
Q: DO I NEED A VISA?!
VISA RULES
For most visitors, a free 30-day tourist visa is granted on arrival in Micronesia and Marshall Islands, which can be extended for up to 90 days.
US citizens can stay for one year.
Passports should be valid for 120 days prior to the departure date and guests must have proof of onward travel before they arrive.
ESTA
It’s important that you have the necessary VISA arrangements sorted out before you travel as you most likely will need an ESTA or a US Visa if you are not American while transiting through Guam and Hawaii because they are both parts of the US.
Q: I HAVE 70kg of LUGGAGE. HELP!?
United allows up to three 32 kg bags when traveling to either destination, depending on your status within Star Alliance and your departure city. If you are not a member of Star Alliance, look at your reservation for terms and conditions regarding your luggage. When traveling with a different airline, you must check their baggage allowance guidelines.
Q: I arrived EARLY. NOW WHAT?!
Its hardly surprising there is not a long list of apartments and chain hotels waiting for you while typing in “Kwajalein” on Booking.com. In Truk, we recommend the 3 hotels below, with the first 2 offering diving on-site.
Blue Lagoon Resort
+(691) 330 2439
blresort@mail.fm
www.bluelagoondiveresort.com
Truk Stop Hotel and DIve Centre
diveshop@dive-truklagoon.com
info@dive-truklagoon.com
www.dive-truklagoon.com
L5 Hotel
+(691) 330-7048/7049
admin@l5hotel.fm
www.l5hotel.fm
Getting to Bikini Atoll however, it a different story. As you land on Kwajalein Island when entering the Marshall Islands, Kwajalein is an U.S Army base, and they will waste no time escorting you to the ferry terminal from the airport where you will be promptly shipped to the neighbouring island of Ebeye until you get picked up by our boat. There is only one hotel, Hotel Ebeye.
Hotel Ebeye
Telephone: 692-329-5230
email: hotelebeye@yahoo.com
Persistence is key to securing your reservation as they are infamous for not replying, and it is the only hotel.
Cash is king in both destinations, bring plenty of American dollars as the ATMs rarely work. Bigger hotels will accept credit card payments and our expedition vessel does too.
Q: WHY ARRIVE EARLY IN KWAJALEIN/EBEYE?
This is not our first rodeo! DDE has learned from experience and we have a few tips that will help you ease into your expedition in a relaxed manner.
We recommend starting your long-awaited dream holiday jetlag free and ready for action. There are plenty of high-end chain hotels in Guam or Hawaii to recover the time difference two days early if you are going to Truk.
If you are heading onto Bikini then lace up your expedition boots and aim to arrive in Kwajalein two days ahead of ropes off to avoid a catastrophic luggage disaster.
As United’s island hopper makes up to five stops along the way, there is a tiny chance your luggage might not make it off the plane as ground staff can miss things in quick turnarounds if luggage has shifted during flight.
The boat won’t wait for you if it happens and you arrive same day of departure, and I am sure you did not plan to dive Bikini with half a rebreather and a rented wetsuit.
Hot Tip: Labelling your luggage with the airport code TKK for Truk and KWA for Bikini Atoll in VERY BIG WATERPROOF LETTERS and tracking your luggage on the handy UNITED App.
Health Considerations
Vaccinations may be required before entering the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, check with your local clinic for the latest advice on how to stay safe during your trip. If you are traveling from a Yellow Fever area, proof of immunization might be required. It’s recommended that tetanus immunizations are also up to date before traveling.
Truk and Bikini are malaria-free zones and mosquitoes are not a problem on the boat. But they can be annoying onshore, so consider bringing insect repellent. The Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses have all been reported in the Marshalls and are spread by mosquitoes.
Ready For A Splash?
Once on board, settled, and ready to crush some awesome dives there is one more list you need to be familiar with. Predive safety checks, dive deck checks, and final checks are a crucial part of our safety protocol here at DDE.
Check out DD Special Guest Jill Heinerth running through our dive platform Splash checklist in the video below.
Q: Is my booking protected in the time of COVID?
The DDE team aims to give you clear, simple information about the protection of your booking. We pride ourselves on being direct, and we understand that sometimes plans have to change.
We have been upfront with you about having to cancel the 2020 Bikini season due to COVID, and also our efficient handling of the situation. All our guests have been contacted and rebooked onto charters leaving from 2021 so no one has been left at home.
Understand your rights and check out our partner Bo2´s Terms and Conditions and Coronavirus clauses. Blue O Two also, in the interest of customer satisfaction and financial protection has AVS booking protection insurance. Read more here
Closing Statement
OK team, we know this was a lengthy one but it’s an important topic for a successful expedition. We will load you up with even more insider info about how to navigate a successful globe crossing in our FB groups, group emails etc... We are here for you 24/7 before, during and after your trip of a lifetime!
And of course all the topics we have covered so far are detailed on:
https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/info-truk-lagoon
https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/travel-information-bikini-atoll
Share this blog with your wreck diving friends: https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/blog/insider-guide-to-truklagoon-bikiniatoll
DDE TEAM TOP TIP:
Our last hot tip, perhaps our hottest tip we can offer you, has to do with Aron. His idea of an orderly cabin has a lot to be desired and he sleeps on CCR parts. Whatever you do, don’t share a cabin with this donkey!
I hope you all had a great week and have some fun plans this weekend. If not, or even if you do, don’t forget, if you feel lonely at any point, we are here to chat Dirty.
Love,
Aron Arngrímsson and the DDE Team