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?!

Q: DO I NEED A VISA?!

Q: I HAVE 70kg of LUGGAGE. HELP!?

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.

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.

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.

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

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