Surfacing from a 2 hour dive with High-fives and having the time of your life.
This is what we are all about - making sure you go home with memories and friends for a lifetime.
“The Dirty Dozen experience makes diving iconic Truk Lagoon safe and simple. Through the leadership of expedition leader Aron Arngrimsson and Captain Martin Cridge of the Truk Master Liveaboard, a carefully curated small group of conscientious and skilled technical divers can have an unequaled experience diving the less frequently explored wrecks in the lagoon.
When you can sit on top of the wreck and be supported by an experienced team of safety divers, guides and crew, then anything is possible. I can’t recall a trip where I have had a better experience. I value organizations like The Dirty Dozen Expeditions that prioritize the safety and comfort of the guests.
It is hard to imagine, but we had more crew than passengers. I was moved by the history, enlightened by the beauty of the marine life and inspired by the leadership of the organization. I’ll be going back as soon as I can!
Jill Heinerth, Explorer in Residence, Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Author, INTO THE PLANET - My Life as a Cave Diver
Truk Lagoon Feb 2020
"This is a unique concept in taking 12 experienced and passionate tech divers to one of the best dive locations in the world with a top of the range liveaboard, full CCR support, A special guest diver and an itinerary that takes in only the very best wrecks that Truk has to offer. It's a fantastic combination that results in amazing dives, great company, fascinating conversations and what can only be described as a trip of a lifetime."
Mark Powell - TDI Global Training Advisory Panel
Author of “Technical Diving: An Introduction” and “Deco For Divers”
Truk Lagoon 2018
TRUK LAGOON TESTIMONIAL NOV 2019
“My memories still linger from my last adventures with The Dirty Dozen and Global Underwater Explorers (GUE). Memories of a lifetime. A year ago, a team of GUE divers set up a wreck diving expedition to the remote and rarely visited Bikini Atoll together with adventure diving company The Dirty Dozen. The results and experiences during the expedition made it compelling to look forward and plan the next adventure following the same narrative.
The target, the wrecks of Chuuk Lagoon, came as naturally as our continued collaboration with The Dirty Dozen. We also chose to continue to use and rely upon the excellent liveaboard M/Y Truk Master with its world-class service and crew well-catered for technical diving — just the way we like it. Traveling into Chuuk is much easier and less of an adventure compared to getting to Bikini. A short jump from mainland Asia (the Philippines in my case) to Guam and then onwards on the island hopper to the next stop heading east, Chuuk Lagoon. Approaching the islands of Chuuk from the air is impressive, the islands are beautiful and green with mountains and hills. You can see the artificial extension to the small island of Etten, where the Japanese army built its strategic air force base during the war
Setting up for technical diving onboard, in our case involving rebreathers, is easy even if at GUE we depend on a standardized configuration different to most. The divers bring their own key components, including special cylinder valves with a flexible manifold. The rest is supplied by the ship. Oxygen is produced onboard using an oxygen generator. An oxygen generator cannot produce 100% oxygen, only 92-96% and as such, special procedures are needed if diving a fully-closed rebreather in order to get the calibration of the oxygen sensors right among other things.
Helium is available and required for the wrecks deeper than 30m/100 ft. We used 18/45 Trimix as our standard diluent mix. A clear head and lots of fun memories are what we’re looking for after all. My total setup time was less than 30 minutes thanks to the Truk Master’s excellent crew.
Underwater: picture yourself in a well-kept aquarium, no current, warm waters, and great visibility. What more can you ask for? Well, wrecks of course, and Chuuk lagoon does not fail to deliver those. My favorite penetrations involve the engine rooms where one can still study the gauges and telegraphs frozen in time. The diving is truly world-class if you are passionate about wreck diving and history. After 10 days diving it’s time to depart, not because you want to, more that you have to, sadly. The diving in Chuuk is so good that another week would not have been sufficient to satisfy my appetite for adventure.
Compared to the wrecks in Bikini Atoll, well, it’s like comparing apples and pears, both are delicious in their own way and the only choice you have is not to chose one, but to enjoy both. I enjoyed Chuuk and Bikini tremendously and will undoubtedly return to both for more adventures.”
Richard Lundgren, Co-Founder of Global Underwater Explorers
Bikini Atoll 2018/Truk Lagoon 2019
Bikini Atoll Testmonial 2018 - See video below
I must admit I was not sure what I was signing up for, when I joined the Dirty Dozen Expeditions Tour to the Solomon Islands. Iron Bottom Sound had been my playground for 17 years.
The idea of mixing it up with a bunch of CCR divers was daunting. The Solomon Islands is a wreck divers’ paradise, with ships lost from both sides during the Pacific theatre of WW2. Like other wreck destinations in the Pacific, the Solomons is remote and the co-ordination involved in putting together a technical diving tour is considerable.
I soon found that Aron Arngrimsson and his team were well up to the task of the ‘Sound.’ A successful trip is more than, ‘do I have some gas and sorb for the dive?’ With Dirty Dozen, the trip starts years in advance; the attention to detail is exceptional. Over the years I have worked with many technical diving groups, some conformed to standardized configurations, like the GUE expedition to the USS Atlanta a decade or so ago, but this is not how it always goes.
However, our group comprised of a diverse range of rebreathers, set ups and nationalities. The experience that Aron had gained over the years showed through, in the procedures and planning put in place to ensure that everyone was safe in the water and able get the experience that they were expecting.
With Dirty Dozen Expeditions the fun is not over once diving has finished for the day. Images, video, and presentations in the lounge after dinner continue to feed the hunger to explore the oceans. Aron’s talent for imagery is awe inspiring, as is his ability to attract those of similar mind. Aron’s presentations were stimulating, as he happily shared his personal experiences, some of them difficult.
From the experiences of others, we all become better. It was an absolute pleasure and an honor to be part of Dirty Dozen’s Inaugural Expedition to the Solomon Islands. I can’t wait for the next one.
Neil Yates, Founder of Tulagi Dive
Solomon Islands February 2024
TRUK TESTIMONIAL
“I can well remember, sitting there as an over-eager toddler and waiting for the clock to hit the Cousteau showtime. Our black and white television left quite a bit for the imagination to fill in, but maybe just because of that my mind was totally immersed in the deep waters and magnificent wrecks of the Pacific once the adventure began. I could see or hear nothing else.
When Aron asked me to join the Dirty Dozen team, I hesitated maybe 0,27 seconds. This expedition was exactly what I had been dreaming about. So you can imagine how high my expectations were when leaving the cold and murky waters of Finland behind and heading to the warmer side of the world.
Having now dived 14 of the Truk's greatest wrecks, I could not be more pleased. Neither do I need to wonder anymore what it all looks like in colors. Truk Master's crew easily exceeded any expectation I had. Aron, as expedition leader and Martin as Captain did an excellent job making sure every dip into the underworld was a unique experience and sheer pleasure. I have already booked my next trip with Aron, Martin, and Master Liveaboards to Bikini Atoll in 2019, and there a few things in life I look more forward to."
BIKINI ATOLL TESTIMONIAL
“The heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen has always been on the top of my must-dive-wrecks. It is one the biggest warhips to ever sail my home waters, the coast of Finland. Its legendary sortie with Bismarck is one those great naval war history stories that captivated me already as a small boy. When I was offered a chance to dive Prinz Eugen along wrecks with similarly amazing history, such as USS Saratoga and IJN Nagato, I didn't have to think twice. I had high expectations of this expedition as I had visited Truk with Dirty Dozen the year before.
There was no disappointment: The experience and service was complete five stars again. Aron Arngrimsson and the crew of Truk Master did an absolutely outstanding job to make my trip a memory for a lifetime. Their operations ran like a Swiss watch and covered all aspects of rebreather diving with expertise and safety. I can highly recommend the Dirty Dozen expeditions and Truk Master to anyone thinking about visiting Truk or Bikini for some serious wreck diving.
Join the Dirty Dozen. Now.”
PALAU TESTIMONIAL
The early morning sun penetrates the ocean surface. The tower of thousands of red snappers engage in their ancient mating ritual. Bull sharks lurk around, ready for an easy meal. And all this is enhanced by the audiovisual side-show by our trusted and ever so enthusiastic guides, Richard Barnden and Matt Boyle, pointing out the twists and turns of the weird plot written by nature. Being enveloped in this marine rollercoaster ride was an example of the underwater wonders you can only experience in Palau.
I came for wrecks but returned with many additional stories I couldn't have imagined. Caves and creatures, the island scenery from a fantasy movie trailer. The ripping currents at Angaur island when diving the USS Perry. The reef walls reaching to the depths of the Pacific, summoning us to drop just a bit deeper and further. Thanks, Aron and Dirty Dozen Expeditions. As always, you exceeded expectations and overcame the surprises nature had waiting for us, making these challenging and fantastic dives happen."
Antti Apunen - Co-founder of Divers Of The Dark and writer behind “Diving Into The Unknown”
Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll and Palau 2018/2019/2022
Sitting here in Truk Lagoon waiting for my flight home thinking, “Wow! That was the trip of a lifetime.”
Aron and I first met in 2010 and have spent years working together on product testing, which he’s taken to some of the most demanding locations. Nearly 10 years later in 2019, Aron and I talked about how to combine his knowledge as an expedition leader and the customers who use our gear to provide them an unforgettable experience.
Having just finished diving the wrecks in Truk Lagoon I can say we did just that! From the pre-trip preparations with zoom and WhatsApp calls, to logistics assistance on the journey over, to the daily briefings and pre-dive checks prior to every dive, and lastly the nightly presentations! He’s also teamed up with an excellent group of crew and guides to allow for small groups, ensuring your daily experiences are the best possible.
There is so much I can say, but the bottom line, Aron has put together an amazing organization. Dirty Dozen Expeditions is the complete package for experienced divers looking for an unforgettable and safe journey. I can’t wait for our next trip!
Nick Hollis - Hollis Rebreathers - October 2023
“We recently worked with The Dirty Dozen Expeditions on a landmark new series for National Geographic Channel. The filming required two divers to penetrate various wrecks in Truk Lagoon, Aron was one of our on camera divers.
The filming process can be challenging and myself and the crew were amazed at how easily Aron dealt with everything. Having such a highly experienced and talented diver on the team made our lives significantly easier. He quickly understood what we were trying to achieve and helped us get the shots we needed, which is such an incredible asset to have on these tricky dive shoots. This intuition was also very useful in all aspects of our shoot (topside and underwater) and would definitely recommend him as a location fixer or contributor.
He was also simply just a great guy to have on our crew, which is one of the most important things in my opinion and adds huge value to the whole experience. “
Chris Baron, Producer, National Geographic
“The year 2024 was an amazing year for me as a diver. The highlight was my trip to Bikini Atoll with the Dirty Dozen Expeditions.
I signed up for the trip a year in advance through the Liberty Diver's Club, hoping to meet fellow Liberty CCR divers from around the world. As a newcomer to the Pacific Islands, I underestimated the challenge of sorting out the logistics and necessary travel documents. With the help of the Dirty Dozen, especially Gill, I managed to navigate through it all, and the rest of the journey went smoothly.
Even though I was the only female diver on the trip, signing up solo, I felt welcomed and supported by the other guests on the boat, especially the members of the Liberty Diver's Club.
I was particularly impressed by the relaxed yet safety-conscious environment created by Aron and Jacob. Their teamwork put smiles on the faces of all the guests. A "SPLASH" check was carried out before every single dive. Divers were reminded frequently of fatigue and complacency, which was inevitable for a long trip like this. As a dive team, we were very conservative with our Gradient Factor and sorb use.
Additionally, the iconic photos they captured of us elevated the experience, which wouldn't be possible in a DIY trip.
I'm already looking forward to my next expedition with Dirty Dozen Expeditions, knowing that they provide top-notch service and I'm sure to make more life-long friends on board.”
Dan Sun - Founder of Dan Sun Titanium - www.dansuntitanium.com
Bikini Atoll August 2024
Every Journey Begins with a Single Step’, as the quote goes, resonates deeply with me now that my journey to the Bikini Atoll wrecks has come to an end. Why does it linger in my thoughts? After 20 years of diving and a passionate interest in World War II history, I've finally fulfilled a once-in-a-lifetime trip that perfectly combines my passions: scuba diving, wrecks, and WWII history.
Achieving this wasn't an overnight endeavor. It required countless hours of training and practice, complemented by impeccable logistics from Dirty Dozen Expeditions, resulting in undeniable success.
Returning to the quote, diving the Bikini Atoll wrecks held profound meaning for me. Every moment spent diving and training culminated in this unforgettable experience. I must stress the importance of thorough preparation for this trip. When the logistics are well-managed and all essentials like gases and safety measures are meticulously provided, it makes a world of difference. Dirty Dozen ensured our expedition was well-supported, crucial given our remote location—11 days isolated, 30 hours from the nearest inhabited land. Aron and his team made safety their priority, without overlooking comfort and everyone having the greatest time, which was evident throughout.
Lastly, I'll touch briefly on the diving itself, an experience that defies description and must be personally witnessed to be truly appreciated! We were fortunate to encounter optimal conditions while exploring this underwater museum, a privilege few have had worldwide. The wrecks, marine life, historical remnants, all intertwined to create an unforgettable adventure.
Now, onto the next step in my journey with Dirty Dozen Expeditions… Palau? Solomons? Narvik?
Alejandro Dutto - International Scuba Divers Club - Bikini Atoll June 2024
I am not much of a selfie guy, BUT, I could't help myself to turn the big Nauticam housing around and take one. Aron, Antti, Geoff (best buddies ever) and myself heading to do our deco after an amazing dive on the wreck of USS Perry.
The USS Perry wreck was a WWII American destroyer / minesweeper now laying at 78m near Angaur Island - Palau. To our knowledge this wreck was only ever dived by about 30 divers and requires meticulous planning due to the harsh local sea conditions. This was however excellently planned thanks to Matt Boyle, Richard Barnden and Aron Arngrímsson.
We actually only had to wait for about 2 hours on the surface for the current to ease off to be acceptable to dive. There is nothing better than your buddy waking you up all excited with, "Wake up!!! Wake up, get your breather on Jakub, we are going!!!"
This dive was the last dive of our 2 week breathtaking Palau expedition with The Dirty Dozen Expeditions where we explored Palau's reefs, caves and wrecks. Big thanks to The Dirty Dozen Expeditions, the whole crew and everybody who was able to join us for this ABSOLUTELY EPIC TIME!!!!!
Jakub Slama - Palau August 2022
"Successful diving expeditions at the highest level require great finesse in terms of the team involved and the logistics. The Dirty Dozen delivers exactly this, with access to a global fleet of vessels, where the onboard facilities and crews have been honed around years of experience in technical diving operations.
The trip is planned with a small and experienced group of divers - including special guests - allowing a collaborative atmosphere to develop before departure, with online messaging, and while onboard. Limiting the group to a dozen or so also makes for plenty of space on the boat for all the CCRs and camera gear!
There is something particularly satisfying about sipping a morning coffee on the dive deck of a fully-CCR equipped liveaboard, before casually gearing up and splashing into world-class wreck diving – avoiding all the rigmarole of a land-based operation.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Aron Arngrimsson for the last decade and know his passion for delivering the best possible experience for his guests on The Dirty Dozen trips. Having enjoyed Truk, Palau and Bikini in this way, I can highly recommend The Dirty Dozen for delivering your trip of a lifetime."
Geoff Creighton - Underwater Cinematographer, Course Director & CCR Instructor
Truk Lagoon 2018 / Bikini Atoll 2019 / Palau 2022 / Galapagos 2022
“Anyone familiar with the war efforts in the Pacific Ocean will know the battle of Guadalcanal. This remote island nation saw intense conflict between the forces of the Japanese Empire and the Allies during World War II, with the result of many vessels lost in battle. As a student of history, I have a deep appreciation and respect for these encounters. This is where The Dirty Dozen delivers an experience unlike anyone else.
Seeing these war memorials located in one of the most remote, undeveloped nations had always seemed like an impossibility, especially with the needs for trimix rebreather divers. Aron Arngrimisson and The Dirty Dozen team manages a logistical accomplishment reminiscent of The War itself. They managed to bring all equipment, supplies and expertise for safe diving.
All along the way, their team guided us with travel, equipment and kept us informed with group meetings which made me feel prepared for this journey. Nothing felt left out, and they were always available for any question large or small. By the time we arrived, I was relaxed and ready to enjoy an experience few get to have.
As a CCR diver, safety is paramount, especially in a remote location. The operation always has safety in mind and was there to address issues with equipment or protocols. With this in mind, we were able to do 2-hour plus dives to MOD 2 depths with an amazing crew to support.
The Iron Bottom Sound has many amazing sites which is best appreciated on a technical dive trip that only The Dirty Dozen can deliver on!”
Kevin McDermott
Truk Lagoon November 2022 / Solomons February 2024
“Bucket List Check!
I’m trying to put together the words to describe the adventure to Truk Lagoon with the Dirty Dozen..not easy!
A trip of this magnitude is daunting to say the least especially if you’re not a world traveler. There are a lot of moving parts from the preparations, gear considerations, and travel to such a remote location.
Aron and his Team made all of this so easy for me through continual guidance, Zoom meetings, and online resources. The most difficult thing was making the decision to go…the rest fell into place perfectly!
The crew of the Pacific Master were fantastic and completely accommodated all of my needs fully. I am so happy I decided to go and I left with such amazing friends and memories.
I can’t wait for the next adventure…life is way too short to wait….GO!”
Joseph Fellows - Scientific Diver, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Truk Lagoon October 2023
Don Labruzzo - Bikini Atoll July 2023
“They met as strangers, left as friends”
Some cheesy quote doesn’t even start to cover the time we’ve spent with the Dirty Dozen, led by Aron.
As a relatively last-minute booker on this trip of a lifetime, I had been dreaming about a trip to Truk. Suddenly in November, the stars seemed to align,
After some small hiccups with the flights, where Aron went out of his way to help out, flights were booked, the trip was booked, and started to get all the gear together.
This was a demonstration of things to come.
From the moment of booking Aron bombarded us with information, whether it was related to what to bring, extremely useful gear and travel checklists, history of the wrecks, videos of trips etc.etc. All are presented flawlessly and easily accessible. WhatsApp groups were created for general questions and a second one for pre-trip fun and banter.
The group Aron put together consisted of some returning customers, and like me, some “newbies”.
Jump to January and it was time to go. We were met by the crew on board, assigned our cabins, and were told to meet a bit later for the safety briefing which was perfect, no skimping on safety here!! The next morning we were off.
The program Aron set builds up from relaxed to more challenging dives. We started with the shallower wrecks. Get your gear perfect to get into the routine. There is no skimping on safety. You cannot enter the water without passing the dive safety officer who will go over a “splash list” before you enter the water. It works! All is done in a serious but relaxed style. Through the days the dives became gradually deeper and longer. But, make no mistake, the shallower wrecks were just as interesting! Aron and the crew (Craig) give extremely detailed explanations on the dive at hand, and there are tons of books on board so you can prepare yourself fully.
Do this! You will get the most out of your dive. If you wish you can get a guide, and the guides are extremely knowledgeable - you will not regret taking one with you. They will discuss with you what your exceptions are prior to dive,= (visit the holds, engine rooms, etc. etc. ) and they will go out of their way to deliver you the best experience possible.
Aron takes a different group with him on every dive to get you some extremely cool pictures! He goes out of his way to do this but is also a walking encyclopedia on the wrecks. No question was too much. Even though we had some weather constraints we did all the bucket list wrecks and more!!
But a liveaboard is not only about diving. As said before, the group compiled by Aron had some returning customers and some newbies. This wasn’t a problem at - no separate groups were formed whatsoever, and from day one we blended. Our age range spanned from over 30 years.
I can’t remember having laughed so much during a trip for ages. Mix a bunch of Americans, Canadians, and Europeans (and a Brit) with a healthy sense of humor and sarcasm, who don’t take themselves too seriously a recipe for an epic trip is born. Limericks were written on the daily board, (the dirty remora, divers getting lost, etc.etc.) with some decent self-mockery.
The lunches and dinners turned into a lot of laughing, some deep and good conversations and people telling epic dive stories. (Thanks all).
Having said the above, when it came to diving all was dead serious, but it never felt like you had a school teacher watching over your shoulders. All was done amicable, constructive and with a massive smile. Add music on the dive deck when you are gearing up and it doesn’t get closer to perfect. After the dive there was always some sort of drink waiting - be it fresh fruit juice, chocolate milkshakes etc.etc. which just feels so good. Again music playing and the immediate post-dive banter.
To cut a long story short, this wasn’t a trip of a lifetime, this was the start of many many more trips to come with the Dirty Dozen. There is really nothing negative to say about the trip, about the dirty dozen, Aron, and the Taka crew. Everything was up to perfection, perfectly done with humor without ever sacrificing safety.
Not only will you make epic dives, your jaws hurting from laughing, but you will also make new friends for life! I know I did!
I will be back to Truk and Bikini, there is no doubt. Thanks Again Aron, the Crew of Taka, and the special guest Jill Heinerth! Perfection doesn’t exist but the Dirty Dozen comes pretty close!
Martin Demper
Truk Lagoon January 2023
Illes Zidane
Bikini Atoll July 2023
Diving the WW II era "Iron Bottom Sound" wrecks in Guadalcanal has always been high on my list. Most of the typical liveaboard boats dive reefs and occasionally visit a wreck or two and those are generally all in recreational depths. When Aron and Dirty Dozen announced an inaugural technical wreck diving expedition to the Solomon Islands, I jumped on the chance of a lifetime.
There are many benefits of diving with Dirty Dozen: sorb was waiting for us, banked Trimix gasses, plenty of rebreather cylinders, bailout cylinders rigged and ready-to-go, and a deco station that was setup on each wreck for our long deco dives. They also had arranged to have the Solomons wreck expert, Neil Yates, with us to dive and give dive briefings. Because they charter the boat, we as a team get to decide (conditions permitting) which wrecks we dive, how long we spend on them, and the general itinerary.
On this trip we dove a lot of great wrecks and had a lot of fun with some unique events like visiting the abandoned World Discoverer cruise ship and a beach BBQ at the end of the trip.
The wrecks were amazing. The highlight for me was diving the USS Aaron Ward three times with runtimes in the 2.5-3 hour range. It gave us plenty of time to really explore the wreck. In addition, we were able to dive other great wrecks such as the USS Kanawha, a Japanese "Mavis" floatplane, and a very unique and pivotal piece of history, the Japanese I-1 submarine.
If you are looking for a very interesting and unique wreck diving location and want to dive some of the deeper wrecks, I highly recommend booking with Dirty Dozen.
Brett Eldridge - Wrecked In My rEvo
Palau/Bikini Atoll/Solomon Islands
I’m a baby CCR diver. Galapagos has always been on my bucket list. The opportunity arose to join a CCR only dive trip with the Dirty Dozen to the Galapagos. Oh dear! Am I ready for this? Am I wise to make this my first CCR only dive trip? Should I choose a simpler destination? Would the experienced CCR divers be too aloof and standoffish to befriend me?
After over 30 years of loving Open Circuit diving, I switched over to the ‘dark side’ in 2020. This was during the covid lockdown phase when our lives and travel were uprooted. With my social calendar cleared off, now was the time to train and get experience in CCR diving. Fortunately, my husband David is a CCR instructor, so I began the journey. Surprisingly, I enjoyed learning this new style of diving. I slowly started accumulating CCR hours – 15 hours the first year, and by the end of 2023 I had 90 CCR hours of primarily cold-water Canadian diving, and CCR Tec 40 certification.
Then, I spotted the post for a CCR only trip, followed by a phone call to Aron, and after careful self-reflection I decided I was ready. I booked the trip for David and myself. What a great experience! The diving was excellent. I eagerly enjoyed shark encounters, Mola Alexandrini, Eagle Rays, turtles, and more. The dive conditions, as expected from researching, had unbelievable water temperature swings in the same dive and challenging currents. I gained experience in two-hour long dives while quietly enjoying the UW creatures on my CCR.
For me, a surprise was the warm welcome and friendly attitude of the other CCR divers. They came from all parts of the world; Cyprus, Japan, USA, and more. Everyone on this trip was diving a different brand of CCR or had configured theirs differently. The divers were happy to show how their CCR worked, and shared tips and tricks about their unit while troubleshooting and solving various problems that arose.
We enjoyed surface intervals and incredible meals on our vessel, the Calipso, while sharing pictures and video clips of our dives. The Calipso crew was outstanding. The crew was extremely attentive and helpful during the busy time when divers were getting into CCR’s, boarding the panga, loading cameras, and when returning to the ship after the dive. Our leader Gill and guide Eduardo did a ‘splash’ checklist with every diver before every dive, which is quite interesting – a final check to confirm visually that the unit and diver are ready to dive.
I’m back home in Canada, reliving the Galapagos dives as I edit photos and video clips. On this trip I enjoyed 37 hours of underwater dive time on my CCR. More importantly, I gained confidence in diving with a group of CCR divers and will happily sign up for more CCR only trips. Happily, I won’t abandon my many OC dive buddies, and will always dive and go on dive trips with OC divers as well!
Connie Faas
Galapagos 2024
Me and my friends just experienced the dives of a lifetime.
Diving Bikini Atoll with all the history that it presents with Dirty Dozen Expeditions and crew of the Master Liveaboards really managed to deliver diving with respect to what happened and the people it affected.
After six years of planning, COVID and more planning, it all came together perfectly and it was worth waiting for!
The question now is: what will we dive next, and can anything beat Bikini?
Monika Leander
Bikini Atoll September 2023
"This trip was 5 years in the making. It exceeded all my expectations. Logistically I was very prepared thanks in credit to Aron and his team. The long travel was worth it and paid off in some of the most awesome wrecks dives I have done in my 23 years diving career.
Everything was perfect: The boat, the food, the service and of course the diving. My heart is full since I am a bit of a WWII history nerd and now I have been diving all over the pacific, but to visit the pagoda on the Nagato?, that left me breathless..
I highly recommend any CCR diver to put this trip on their Wishlist. Do not wait, life is short!!!"
Ron Waxman
Bikini Atoll June 2024
“How does one put into words waiting over 2 years for a trip they have waited for a lifetime??
Let me start at the beginning...as a child growing up in the 70s/80s World War II was my passion and encouraged to study by my parents. As the owner of multiple series of books from that era and lots of hours reading and studying it only seemed logical that one day a small boy from Pennsylvania would get to experience history he only once read about.
Fast forward to 2019 when that young boy was grown and felt ready to experience Truk Lagoon. He has put in the time and hours learning his Hollis P2 rebreather and travelling multiple times to Florida for TDI decompression and mixed gas courses. I have always based my life on learning and studying so when the pieces were coming together there seemed no one better to book this trip with than Aron and The Dirty Dozen. But then COVID.
After over two years of waiting for this dream it finally happened. It was everything and then some from safety, dive briefings, wrap ups and the list can and will go on...so much in fact already booked October 2023 to go back with Aron and the team.
It can be hard to trust someone to take you to a very remote location in the World for a "few" dollars and hope you have the time memories are built from. I assure you the stories and images etched in your soul will be talked about for years. Take a chance, I did.”
Scott C Smith
Truk Lagoon Nov 2022
Aron and Dirty Dozen Expeditions have set the standard for the all-tech-all-the-time liveaboard experience. They put in the work and prep before the trip to make sure all the divers are supported, everyone knows what's going to happen and everything goes smoothly.
Just as important, Aron makes sure that you also get the context of what and where you're diving. With Dirty Dozen, you're not just diving wrecks; you're diving historically significant wrecks with a story behind them. Aron makes sure that the story is part of the experience.
There's a reason why Aron basically owns the market for tech liveaboard trips. If you're gonna do a tech liveaboard and you want it done right; Dirty Dozen is the way to go.
Ken Blakely
Truk 2022/Bikini 2023/Solomons 2024
“What a trip! If you enjoy diving iconic military wrecks then you need to be planning a trip to Bikini Atoll. The history of these wrecks and how they came to rest in these waters put Bikini Atoll at the top of my bucket list. Aron and his team do an outstanding job in guiding you through the logistics of getting there and providing the dive support needed to keep everyone safe.
The boat and crew were exceptional as well! I got my required CCR certifications specifically for this trip and am glad I did. The quality of these dives did not disappoint. I highly recommend doing this trip with the Dirty Dozen Expeditions!”
Carlos Garcia
Bikini Atoll June 2024
Trip Report - Truk 2023
“The second trip of a lifetime was just that and easily 100% better than 2022. You might ask - “how can that be?” 2022 was my recon year. Come to Truk, get comfy and learn. Coming back in 2023 more prepared for exploration was above expectations.
But wait, there’s more… the third trip of a lifetime is in place for Truk with a fourth trip to Bikini.
Aron and the DD team make the process from start to finish as easy as it can be allowing you to focus on the task at hand. Building memories of “your” trip of a lifetime.
Hopefully I will see you in Truk or Bikini in the future years. “
Scott C Smith - October 2023
Douglas Graham
Bikini Atoll July 2023
''At the time my buddy asked me if I wanted to go to Truk I had just learned that I had a rather advanced cancer. Choosing hope, I told him I would go; many treatments and many months later, with a positive prognosis, the time arrived to go to Truk with Dirty Dozen.
I did not know much about the organization and the mechanics of the trip. Due to good communication from Aron and his support staff, I learned a great deal about what to expect and how to prepare. As I have not traveled much and never slept on a boat I was a bit apprehensive; such concern was not warranted.
From the moment I arrived in Chuuk Aron had hit the ground running, making sure all of us were aware of the upcoming details regarding the boat and the diving. The second I stepped onto the boat I was met by the guides, boat staff, and all the other divers. The organization was incredible down to the last detail, whether it be diving, boat comfort, eating (the food was abundant and great), health, or any other concerns. Aron and his team made the adventure relaxing on the boat and in the water. The guides were some of the best divers I have ever had the pleasure of diving with and their knowledge of the wrecks resulted in extraordinary dives.
Diving with the Dirty Dozen was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful that I was able to go in my lifetime.’’
Chris Welch - Truk Lagoon October 2023
“I have to admit that I am not a ship wreck fanatic but I do enjoy all types of diving with most of my time spent in caves or open water. My husband, on the other hand, had Truk Lagoon on the brain since I met him back in 2009.
Our first “bucket-list” trip was Truk and it was originally scheduled for April 2020 but was rescheduled a few times to give time for the pandemic to subside and the country of Chuuk to reopen. In 2020 we decided to learn rebreather diving and purchased 2 rEvo rebreathers. By Fall 2022 we were up and running with rebreather Trimix and Cave experience just in time for the rescheduled trip.
The Dirty Dozen scooped us up from the airport and ferried us to a restaurant before heading to the Pacific Master where we would spend the next 10 days. Since we were the first trip in 1000 days, the crew worked around the clock to prepare the boat and gather supplies. The dive crew was excellent and worked diligently to ensure the preparation and storage of our gear was organized and efficient
Above and underwater, they reinforced safety and comfort with “shake the rust off” dives the first couple of days to optimize underwater ease and familiarity with new surroundings and gear configurations. Checklists, a safety diver, and regular dive debriefings also demonstrated the Dirty Dozen’s commitment to safety. Fortunately, the DD crew emphasized fun and humor with many good jokes and a whiteboard to share them.
Diving the shipwrecks was a very awe-inspiring and humbling experience. Learning the history of each ship and the fate of its crew was downright grievous at times. We had the opportunity to explore engine rooms, cargo holds, wheelhouses and real artifacts within enormous metal vessels that truly showcased human innovation and power. This innovation and power was illuminated under a darker filter by the destruction and devastation incurred by the ships including large bomb blasts and areas of complete steel demolition.
I absolutely loved the ability to explore so many features of each wreck on a single planned technical dive! Very intense but extraordinary! I would definitely recommend diving Truk Lagoon with the Dirty Dozen!”
Jennifer Head - Truk Lagoon November 2022
“Did I seriously just spend 9 days diving in Truk Lagoon…
When I was 12, I remember reading about Jacques Cousteau and his epic adventures. Two years later, I became an open water scuba diver. For the past 30 years I have only dreamed of diving at some of the locations that Mr. Cousteau introduced to the world on TV and in books.
Through my local dive shop, Deep Stop Scuba, I learned about the opportunity to Dive Truk Lagoon. I did not think I had the skill set to dive at such an epic location. After talking with Jason Meany (Deep Stop Scuba) and Aron Arngrimsson (The Dirty Dozen Expeditions), I decided to sign up for the trip as a recreational diver, diving a sidemount profile.
Then Covid struck. Our epic adventure was delayed for over two years. Little did I know this delay would allow me to move to and build hours on a Hollis P2 Rebreather. Once Truk opened back up, I would be diving a rebreather! This allowed me to have more time to explore the amazing shipwrecks.
Day one of the trip you quickly realize how much effort Aron and his team have put into ensuring a safe and amazing diving experience. I am grateful that Aron had the vision to not only design a trip that provides an opportunity to explore Truk Lagoon, but allows divers the ability to get into a groove and work their way into the more technical, deeper dives.
After researching and learning more about Truk Lagoon before and during the trip, I can’t help but think about the loss of life and the humbling experience of this location. I cannot express how grateful I am for this amazing trip.”
Bill Andersen - Truk Lagoon November 2022
Coming back from Truk Lagoon, everyone asks ’what was the diving like?’. Well, it was simply epic!
I’ve done a bit of wreck diving, but never on this scale. Over and over again I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the superstructures we were dropping down onto. Just exploring the outside of each wreck was an adventure in itself, let alone the numerous layers of penetration available for those that wanted to explore further. At least half of the wrecks had accessible engine rooms, holds full of fascinating cargo, and a plethora of nicknacks and treasures to discover. It was impossible not to surface from each dive with a sense of achievement accompanied by a huge grin.
But for me, the diving was only one part of what has been a life-changing trip. I’m well versed as a solo female traveler, but this was my first CCR adventure as a fairly new rebreather diver. To say I arrived feeling anxious would be an understatement. However, my fears were completely unfounded and I couldn’t have found myself in better company. This was one of the most inclusive and non-elitist groups of divers I have ever spent time with. The Dirty Dozen dive vibe is cultivated by Aron’s incredibly open and welcoming ethos, constant availability to answer any questions, not to mention a fair amount of high-jinks. Despite arriving as 1 of 16 strangers, we quickly bonded into a team of expedition divers.
So when I am asked ‘what was the diving like?’, I explain that a Dirty Dozen expedition is not just about the location and the dive sites, it’s about being a part of the Dirty Dozen! I was expecting a lot from this trip, and it still exceeded my expectations. I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of such a special experience and will certainly be back for more.
Gillian Flaherty - Truk Lagoon January 2023
I did my first Liveaboard trip with The Dirty Dozen in Truk Lagoon and I had the most amazing time I have ever had on a Dive trip! That says alot as I own a technical dive business and I take about 3-4 dive trips a year. I love history, especially World War II. Diving these wrecks and seeing history was absolutely euphoric. Seeing the battles only talked about in books first hand, gives you a completely different perspective on the costs of war.
Aron Arngrimsson is extremely knowledgeable and safety is always his #1 priority. The pre dive briefs which included current graphics of how the wrecks currently look along with the history, points of interests, hazards and areas to avoid gave me a lot of comfort and I felt prepared and ready before each dive. Best briefing I have ever seen hands down.
Another amazing feature of the Dirty Dozen trips was meeting the special guest Jill Heinreth! She was my dive buddy and I never would have personally got to know her any other way. What an incredible lady!
Keep up the amazing work Aron! I look forward to going back out with you to Bikini Atoll in the spring!!!
Deloye Meacham - Truk Lagoon January 2023
“The DD experience starts long before the actual trip as the DD team are on hand from the moment you enquiry about it with advice on the best routes to take, the ways to minimise the risks of delayed or lost luggage and probably anything else you can think to ask them. Then as the trip gets closer the team building begins, there are multiple online meetings to introduce you to the other guests and a WhatsApp group with you all in is established.
As an added bonus we were all enrolled on the Introduction to Human Factors course (with the cost covered if we completed it before we joined the boat), this is an amazing course and well worth doing for anyone. When we had boarded the boat the differences continued, the briefings were above and beyond anything expected, the dive times for recreational dives were a bit before the technical ones so that the dive deck never felt crowded.
There were talks in the evenings on a range of subjects from both guests and Aron, these covered things ranging from the history and characteristics of the Japanese planes that we were going to see on dive the next day from a pilot, to different ways to equalise your ears from a world champion free-diver.
The boat crew and guides were exceptional, and went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible time. And all of that before the amazing diving.
In the end the guests ended up leaving as a group of friends, that WhatsApp group is still active with general banter and possible future dive trips (which may or may not be Dirty Dozens ones) and I am looking forward to diving with both them and Dirty Dozens in the future.
If Dirty Dozen Expeditions cover a destination you are wanting to dive don’t even think about going with anyone else.”
Barnaby Selwood - Truk Lagoon October 2023
Truk 2022 Testimonial
“I dove Chuuk in November 2019 with plans to return in a year or so. When I got back I first heard rumours of some nasty cold virus in China that was starting to make the rounds. Little did I know that the world was about to descend in a whirlpool of crazy and that in just a couple of months Chuuk was going to be shut off for over 1000 days.
The trip I booked with The Dirty Dozen Expeditions was to be just their second trip to the area after travel restrictions were lifted in early October. Like everything else Covid related rules for entry changed almost daily and Aron was excellent in communicating to us what the changes were so we were prepared. In the end entry was smooth with no issues.
As a Member of the Explorer's Club I am used to traveling to remote places so I can appreciate the difficulties in running expeditions in remote areas. To pull off a big trip like this after an extended shutdown must have been a logistical nightmare and yet Aron, The Dirty Dozen, and Master Liveaboards came through in spades. Helium, O2, and sorb were all plentiful.
The dives were as expected, as mind blowing as I remembered. The briefings that Aron gave were very detailed and the dive deck was very organized with the teams' dive times spaced out enough so that there was no bumping into others while getting ready. Safety was paramount with checks and rechecks. The schedule was well planned with the shallower wrecks earlier in the week, working up to the deeper ones later. I was asked what my favourite wreck was. It can't be answered, that's like asking who is my favourite child. They are all wonderful, with each one having its' own unique sights and story. Thanks to Aron, Tarrant, and the crew from the Pacific Master for a great trip! I'll be back.”
Bikini Atoll 2024 Testimonial
"This was my 2nd trip to Bikini having been 5 years ago in July 2019 and my 2nd trip with Dirty Dozen (I did a Chuuk trip in November of 2022). From when I first signed on to this expedition until the end Aron made sure that things were done with a great attention to detail and safety. On his suggestion most of us arrived 2 days early in Ebeye in case of late arriving luggage. Ebeye is an experience no one should miss.
Luckily all of our luggage around as scheduled. I had heard of others this year that weren’t so lucky. On the boat he stressed safety and conservatism in our dive plans given that fact that we were a 30 hour boat ride away from medical help. We heeded his advice and had an incident free trip.
Bikini is a must do site for any serious wreck diver. It is hard to get to, but the reward of diving here is well worth it. Coming into this I thought that I wouldn’t be coming back however after the great dives I had and the care that was shown to me and the other divers by the Dirty Dozen Expeditions I’m rethinking this. 2027 anyone??"
Brian Nadwidny - Truk Lagoon November 2022/Bikini Atoll June 2024
Our August 2022 dive trip to Palau was all Aron had described it would be with the added benefit of forming relationships with technical divers from around the globe. When fourteen tech divers and two guides were assembled into a group by Aron, the logistics sounded enormous. But, all was pre-arranged: gases, helium, sorb and a great vessel ready to show us some of the best shipwrecks around Palau and support us for our style of diving. Excellent!
The Palau Siren vessel proved a wonderful selection as a dive base. The staterooms felt reasonably luxurious and spacious. The steady stream of great meals and crew friendliness was a joy to experience. The stations for setting up mostly CCRs with a few twin-sets were handy and provided a stable platform with storage for small items right at hand. Aron had pre-briefed the management and crew and they were fully prepared to handle the issues that arise with tech diving.
The “guides” that Aron had selected were very knowledgeable about local wrecks and reefs. Friendly and always cheerful advice were mixed with superb awareness of rebreather requirements. We were given in-depth briefings about the next wreck and conditions we were about to face prior to each dive. They were professionalism personified and helped make the whole dive trip highly enjoyable.
The wrecks and reefs around Palau were terrific. After 78 years under water, their age is showing; but, that is one reason that makes any wreck worth re-visiting. Changes occur as the ocean has an impact and it is part of the fascination of exploring shipwrecks. The opportunity to dive some wrecks that have hardly seen many divers over many decades was inspiring. I’m more than ready for another adventure with Aron and the Dirty Dozen personnel.
Dean Danford
Palau August 2022
This was my second Dirty Dozen Expedition. Two and a half years prior to embarking on this trip while on another DD expedition Aron casually mentioned he was going to run an all CCR trip to the Galapagos and without a second thought I immediately said, "sign me up!”. The Galapagos Islands had been on my list for some time; not only for their unparalleled pelagic life, but the uniqueness of these remote islands with their endemic species found many of which are not found anywhere else.
Leading up to this inaugural trip there was great communications and even a pre-trip zoom session with our knowledgeable local guides to prepare us for the diving conditions we should expect. But nothing could prepare me for what I experienced. Underwater there was a seemingly endless parade of hammer heads with far too many to count, playful sea lions, the absolutely bizarre mola mola, massive oceanic mantas, and more spotted eagle rays than I have ever seen in one location.
While on the surface we were surrounded by epic views at almost every mooring, like the recently “evolved” Pilars of Evolution and the sheer cliffs of Wolf Island. We even got a unique opportunity to observe from our skiff a mother orca and her calf on a hunt for sea turtles (she got one!).
I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the people that made this trip what it was. From the crew of the Galapagos Master who kept us safe, fed and were always ready to assist on the dive deck, the local guides who could answer any question about local the flora and fauna and seemingly always knew the best spots for an ocean-life encounter, and Aron organizing all of this and making sure we were supported the whole way.
But what sets this apart from so many others is the other guests that DD seems to attract. Sharks and Mantas are always cool but being able to share it all with great company was truly amazing. It’s always a special thing when a group of relative strangers with a shared passion come together and instantly vibe.
Can’t wait for the next one with these folks.
Dallas S. Simpson - Galapagos December 2021
The first time I was asked to go to Bikini, I declined for various reasons. Too expensive and too extreme in every way. Of course I was wrong. If you like big wrecks and history, you've come to the right place. Go! I thank my friends who persuaded me. What an amazing trip! Just the journey to and from Bikini is a story worth telling.
A Big Thank You, to The Dirty Dozen and Master Liveaboards! All logistics have worked flawlessly. Food and accommodation were first class. The diving, mixed gases, briefings and safety thinking - really well done!
Jan Eierholen - Bikini Atoll September 2023
“My son Matt (age 26) and I started diving together when he was 14 years old - we advanced via the PADI program through Master Diver. Now what? We were diving in Turk & Caicos and our instructor suggested we think about Truk (utilizing an extended range cert).
Truk became our “Mission” our “Goal”. We set out to train around being able to do Truk “the right way”. We found an excellent TDI instructor in Cozumel (Don Labruzzo) and we got started down the OC Tech track - doubles. After getting our Tri-mix Cert - Don asked us to join him and some of his friends (his CC dive buddies) on the Dirty Dozen trip to Truk. That was in fall of 2019. Covid put a big delay on our trip - but that allowed my son and I to rack up additional dives - which was pretty important in hindsight.
We finally were able to join Aron and his Dirty Dozen team in November of 2022. After all that time and the delays - I worried that the trip may not live up to the hype and expectation that had grown over the covid delay. Make no doubt - the trip/expedition EXCEEDED my expectations. The time spent with my dive buddy (Matt) as well with other divers on the trip was truly special - not replicable. A trip and experience of a lifetime. Each dive was meticulously planned and briefed - each unique to itself and executed to flawless precision. The Truk “experience” is a special and unique fusion of history, commardiary and unmatched/incredible diving.
Matt & I are fortunate to have found Don, Aron and Dirty Dozen - as collectively they have provided a special experience that we will never forget - and very much look forward to doing again!”
Jay Caldwell
Truk Lagoon November 2022
When I joined The Dirty Dozen Expeditions for a CCR Tech trip in February 2023, I thought I was finally working through my bucket list. The incredible experiences from this trip have only inspired me further and I am set on getting myself to Bikini and likely a return to Truk Lagoon in the very near future.
For anybody planning one of these ‘once in a life time’ trips to Truk Lagoon, Bikini, Galapagos, you must start by speaking to Aron with the Dirty Dozen Expedition team.
Aron and his team at DD go out of their way to ensure these trips are truly memorable for everyone in the group and this starts long before you arrive onboard. The boat and the crew onboard cater flawlessly for CCR, a great setup, equipment, gas and Sorb supplies, and the support dive team are first class.
The knowledge and experience of this team are instrumental in getting the very best out of the dive sites in Truk. There truly is so much to see on each wreck that you would need to spend weeks on each one to see and appreciate everything. From my own experience, the engine rooms on these wrecks are incredibly well preserved and infrequently visited, making them some of the most interesting and exciting wreck dives I have ever experienced.
A huge thank you to Aron and the Masters team for truly making this a unique trip. The expert knowledge and guidance on these wrecks made each dive as memorable as the last, and the efforts to tailor everyone’s agenda ensured everyone came away from this trip with stories to tell and planning their return trip.
Until next time …
Gavin Hulmston
Truk Lagoon February 2023
“The Dirty Dozen Expeditions provides a highly exclusive itinerary for anyone who is a serious diver and wants to visit some of the most prolific technical diving destinations in the world. I myself have always been weary of “technical” live-aboard operations due to overbooking customers in an attempt to make more money. This is the exact opposite experience I had on the Truk Master with Aron Arngrimsson and his team.
The expedition member numbers were kept low in order to foster team building, create more space on the boat for our extensive amount of equipment, as well as for diver comfort. Additionally, the crew were specially trained to understand how best to support CCR divers and our exacting requirements which made technical diving preparation feel as easy as single tank open circuit diving. You literally couldn’t get a better setup for exploration diving.
All of the passengers for our itinerary were introduced to one another months prior to departure through online messaging and Aron did a fantastic job cultivating an expedition feel to the planning process leading up to the trip. This paid off in a huge way once we finally arrived in Truk as it felt that everyone already knew one another and immediately we developed a camaraderie that completely changed the dynamic of the trip. In an industry of highly commercialized and “cookie cutter” dive itineraries Aron Arngrimsson’s Dirty Dozen Expeditions stands out as an absolute must for serious underwater explorers.”
Matthew Deberry - Founder of Dauntless Divers - Okinawa - www.dauntlessdivers.com
Truk Lagoon Dec 2019
“I had been eyeballing this trip for a while already but always from the sideline, so when I finally decided to indulge in a “Once in a lifetime” trip for my 2018 birthday, I knew exactly where to go.
It was my original intent to “start slow and gradually grow into the trip” but within minutes of my initial message, Aron had already contacted me and was sending me such convincing “Dive-porn” detailing Truk, the wrecks, the history behind it, and the trip’s details that I committed to the trip in full without hesitation.This turned into the best diving experience I’ve enjoyed so far, and one I will most definitely repeat as there is still so much more to explore.
Flying in from different directions, most of us met at Guam airport and together traveled to the Truk stop hotel in Truk, before boarding the M/V Truk Master on the day after. It was an absolutely amazing experience from there on! Well thought through, everything made sense. From the logistics onboard to the different wrecks we visited, everything was preplanned in detail, executed with great care, and concluded with the biggest smiles!
The predive briefings were of great value and although us “bubble makers” could not always follow the CCR divers, Aron and his team made sure we got to see an equal amount of the wrecks as far as our gas planning would allow. The dives themselves were executed in a controlled and safe manner, without losing out of sight of the most important aspects such as being able to enjoy the moment without pressure.
This was completed with the many helping hands, taking receipt of your gear and offering a towel and a cold glass of juice as you climbed out of the water, contemplating what you had just seen and already discussing what you wanted to do more on the next dive…As I spent some time during one of the dives flying around the wreck behind a DPV, (Also readily available onboard) I could only wonder what it was like during the actual battle as planes would scoop down on the vessels to execute their deadly runs…
Last but not least, it didn’t matter where you ended up, (On top, below, inside of the wreck) but not one location on the wrecks was left unexplored and Aron made sure it was all well documented. To optimize bottom time and reduce the required communication we found ourselves sitting together, planning how best to light the Shinkoku Maru’s engine room best whilst visualizing the placement of the lighting in detail to ensure we obtained that “one magic shot” and we did 😉
“Once in a lifetime” trip, fat chance! “Start of an extensive dive campaign” sounds more like it. I’m happy to have met Aron, his team, and some of the biggest #W’s in the diving industry and look forward to meeting up with them in either Bikini Atoll, Galapagos, and Truk Lagoon again.”
Arend Van Der Marel
Truk Lagoon Dec 2018
“Don’t sit anywhere, don’t touch anything, don’t put anything on the ground and don’t drink or eat outside of the vehicle. You would be surprised how much we are accustomed to be able to do those things in our everyday life. This is all second nature to us but not as easy as you would expect to unlearn while visiting the town of Pripyat. This was one of our first stops in 48 hours spent in The Exclusion zone.
The experience is absolutely thrilling and I can pretty much guarantee that you will not experience the feeling of a place like this anywhere else in the world. Imagine walking through a nuclear wasteland that has been left abandoned for 30 years, listening to the leaves swishing while walking through a forest of trees that used to be a street between building blocks. STOP there!!! “Don’t step on that metal lid laying on the floor!!!” says our private guide, Alex as he places his dosimeter next to the lid, which starts going crazy and breaks the silence with its beeping.
This is just a few minutes of our completely exhilarating time spent in Chernobyl and its surroundings. The Duga Radar site is enormous and reminds you of the Cold war effort right before you walk into another building that contained the 2nd biggest computer in the world at the time, taking multiple levels of the building. We slept in the camp outside of the exclusion zone where scientists performed studies on radiation. Here we were drinking vodka and listening to Alex’s stories from the Zone, his knowledge about radiation was often spiced up with his dry humor.
The next day we visited the cooling tower of the nearly built reactor no.5, this was the pinnacle of our tour which really our hearts racing, the Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Nuclear Power plant excursion. Looking for a unique experience? You have to experience this for yourself and I will leave the judgment up to you…. Simply put, I just loved it!
With Aron’s expert planning and organization, Alex’s knowledge, and an endless supply of good laughs with a great company there is a lot more than you can just put into a short text. Must do experience, hands down.“
Jakub Slama
Chernobyl September 2019
“Documenting the current situation in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has been on my mind for quite some time. But rather than simply visiting an area of manmade disaster, I was interested in gaining access to people who explain what had happened, to workers who spend most of their time within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, old humans who spend their final days within the area they were born and nearly 35 years later had to leave.
I long doubted finding the right partner who can accompany me while photographing and documenting. When I found out that Aron and The Dirty Dozen Expeditions are leading expeditions into the Zone I immediately knew I had found the right partner in this. Aron is not only a professional expedition leader, he also became a new friend within a short time.
Together with our amazing guide Alex, who had worked in the Zone for more than 12 years, we made our way not only into the abandoned areas of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone but even inside the Nuclear Power Plant of Chernobyl.
After weeks of background checks and gaining permissions, we even made it into the control room of infamous reactor number IV, the very exact place where in the morning hours of April 26th, 1986 man-made mistakes caused the world’s worst nuclear disaster.”
Michael Biach Photography - www.michaelbiach.com
Chernobyl February 2021
“While a trip to the Galapagos ranks very high on any diver's wishlist, going to Galapagos on CCR is yet another story. Dirty Dozen Expeditions trip organization beforehand by catering for anything a CCR diver could wish for - plenty of sorb, O2, tanks in all sizes - not only allowed for very smooth operations on the dive deck but also initiated well-being feeling for any guest on board. This accompanied by the great briefing and guiding by Galapagos Rebreathers turned this into a trip of a lifetime.
When it comes to diving in the Galapagos, diving bubble-free allows much more intimate encounters with marine life and what encounters did we have! Whatever marine creature you can think of - it was there, most impressive the schools of Hammerheads which became more and more curious about those strange colorful creatures being us and thus circling closer and closer around and above us, what an incredible experience!
If I were to name the best dives ever surely those at Wolf and Darwin would stand out, you truly felt like participating in one of those famed BBC documentaries. But there is a lot more to see, from hunting dolphins to hunting (!) Orcas to the iconic marina Iguanas - the latter makes you feel like visiting Jurassic Park - to the giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island, this trip did not miss out on any animal you could wish for in the Galapagos Islands.
An exceptional experience with great buddies from all over the world, thanks Aron, will be back for more!”
Elmar Dette
Galapagos December 2021
Let the adventure begin!
Years ago, as I was pulling my open circuit kit together, Sam, the dive shop owner where I purchased most of my equipment, told me he was planning on going on a dive trip to a place called Truk Lagoon. At that time, I’d not heard of Truk Lagoon, let alone the idea of traveling away from home to do a dive vacation. But, now that the notion was presented, I filed away the idea of a dive vacation into the back of my mind.
As time went on, I decided to research diving in Truk Lagoon, just to see what was there, and if I would be interested in visiting. It didn’t take much research to figure out that Truk was a place I knew I had to go. By the time I earned my rEvo 100-meter CCR certification I was ready to get serious about diving in Truk Lagoon.
As luck would have it, I stumbled upon a Facebook group called Dirty Dozen, and they were going to do a trip to Truk Lagoon, AND rebreathers were supported., AND they were going to do some dives on wrecks that sit deeper AND generally not frequented by recreational divers, AND dives would be for an extended time, taking advantage of CCR diving. Well, that did it. I was “in.” I decided to do this trip as a single diver, after all, I’d done other liveaboards as a single diver, and finding a dive buddy was never a problem. On this trip, it proved to be an asset. I arrived in Truk a few days ahead of the liveaboard departure date. The plan was to have enough time for my gear to catch up with me should it get lost in transit, and then, do some check-out dives before boarding Truk Master, our home, and taxi for the coming days.
Aron and most of the other DD arrived at Truk Stop and after some time introducing ourselves to each other, we boarded Truk Master. Once on the liveaboard, we were introduced to Captain Martin Cridge, an exceptional rebreather diver, and the rest of the Truk Master support crew. Aron and Martin shared their thoughts about the dives we could do, and we were asked if there were any specific wrecks we wanted to dive. Our requests were incorporated into the dive itinerary, and off we went.
Our first dive was a morning dive. My dive buddy was Toni, an Inspo diver from the U.K. Toni is a dive instructor, very knowledgeable about rebreathers, and is a blast to be around. During the time on the boat, we all mixed and told stories and listened as Mark Powell, author of “Deco for Divers” shared some pointers and tips. The entire group of Dirty Dozen divers became a tight-knit group. I was fascinated by the diversity. There were several rebreather divers and units from countries all over the planet.
Aron Arngrimsson, the founder of the DD group, kept things on track. Briefings were on point, and dives were spectacular. During off times, Aron kept things moving. He’s a very funny, likable, and engaging guy and made sure everyone was having the best liveaboard experience possible. Aron, alone, is a good reason to dive with the DD.
I am looking forward to my next trip to Galapagos in December 2021 with The Dirty Dozen.
John Entwistle
Truk Lagoon December 2018
"Bikini Atoll had been on my list of dream destinations for quite a while. When I saw Aron's post on Instagram about a live aboard trip to Bikini in the coming year I jumped on the opportunity to go. When you think about a dive trip to Bikini it doesn't get much more remote and logistically complicated. However once I arrived in Kwajalein Aron was there to meet everyone and from then on we were all in good hands. Trip was run like a well oiled machine, the boat was setup to accommodate technical/CCR divers and diver safety was always kept at the forefront of our priorities. I couldn't have asked for much more. I also would be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing crew onboard the Truk Master.
From the well organized dive deck with someone always ready to help with donning gear to the chef making sure there was a vegetarian option available for me at each meal. They were top-notch all around. Oh, and the diving! Conditions were amazing, warm water, great viz and minimal current. I could have easily spent the entire trip exploring the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and been perfectly satisfied. However, the Prinz Eugen, IJN Nagato and USS Arkansas were all icing on the cake for me. I highly recommend Aron and The Dirty Dozen Expeditions."
Dallas S. Simpson - New York, USA
Bikini Atoll 2019
My trip to Palau with the Dirty Dozen was one of the best trips of my life, and I’ve traveled pretty extensively! It’s rare to find the variety of dives that Palau has in one place, from pristine reefs, to sea caves, to historic wrecks; there’s really something for everyone! My highlights were getting to dive the IJN Iro three times, bouncing all over the jungle gym that was the Teshio Maru, and the excitement of the snapper spawning dive.
I’m really glad I dove open circuit on the trip. Due to the depths of the wrecks, I was able to follow the same runtimes as the CCR divers without having to spend time breaking my gear down and packing scrubbers. I gently reminded them of that at any opportunity!
Richard, Matt, and Eric, our “local” guides were outstanding and knowledgeable; but mostly, they were fun and full of laughs. This is especially important when dealing with the demands of 12 technical divers of diverse backgrounds. On top of that the crew on the land based days and the Siren set the standard for hospitality and professionalism.
Finally, Aron handpicked a great group of divers on our trip. From enthusiasts (like me) to world class professionals, I’m glad to have made friends with and learned about people with such varied diving experiences and look forward to keeping in touch!
Sterling McMahan - Florida, USA
Palau 2022
“There may be more than one way to experience the awesome wreck diving found in Truk Lagoon. For the rebreather diver there is no better way than with The Dirty Dozen! You’ll find a reasonable sized group of like minded teammates.
Backed up by a crew that are technical divers themselves. A schedule and structure that gives everyone a chance to explore the wrecks in peace. Good food and a nice room to rest up and do it again. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Great teamates and crew, I’ll be back soon in Bikini Atoll!”
Jon Dustin Kennett - Truk Lagoon Nov 2022
“A trip of a lifetime truly describes my experience with The Dirty Dozen. Every day was like a dream come true. The wrecks are fascinating and there’s so much to explore and one trip is not enough which is why I’m planning to go back.
Aron was fantastic from the initial contact always willing to answer our questions and the crew was all superb attending to every little detail to ensure our vacation was truly a trip of a lifetime. These guys want everyone to feel safe, comfortable and they work well together to make sure the guests have a great time. I enjoyed the detailed dive briefings with the history behind the wrecks we were getting ready to dive.
The crew made sure we were safe and that we had fun but in that order, safety first! I’ve never seen required pre-dive checks as detailed as the Dirty Dozen required being carried out anywhere else that I’ve ever been diving and I am very appreciative of their protocols in place for safety. Regarding charging stations, which were more than sufficient for our group, they had a crew on duty keeping a close eye on the vessel during the night which was reassuring to all of the guests onboard.
When you decide to embark on a journey with The Dirty Dozen, you will not be disappointed because they have dialed in and perfected the needs of their quests and if safety is your priority, relax they have this under control.
I am looking forward to booking a return trip soon!”
Pam Wooten - PADI Course Director at Horizon Divers
Truk Lagoon 2020
“The Dirty Dozen provided us with a unique and memorable trip to Egypt showcasing some of the best diving the Red Sea has to offer to technical divers. We not only saw some great wrecks which included the iconic wreck of the Thistlegorm, but we were also able to experience sites not often visited around Dahab including the swim through of the arch in the Blue Hole.
Aron assisted every step of the way providing us with an effortless experience upon arrival and did not miss a beat with providing top-notch service and contacts. Every point of contact was familiar with all of our needs and was able to provide full technical and rebreather support. Dahab Divers Technical, Blue O Two, and the crew of the Superior all provided us with exceptional service during our stay.
They knew exactly what to do for a team of technical divers. The wreck diving in the northern Red Sea is quite the experience and although the weather did not always cooperate with us, the crew knew we were there to see wrecks and put us on some great spots! Even the walls and reefs we did were an experience and I enjoyed exploring the healthy reef systems Egypt has to offer.
I have Aron and The Dirty Dozen to thank for this amazing journey and for providing us with contacts for some shore-based activities in Cairo as well. This was a bit different than the normal trips The Dirty Dozen seems to do but everything was thought out, planned, and arranged perfectly. I am looking forward to exploring more with The Dirty Dozen in the future and can’t wait to be a part of future expeditions!”
Jimmy Gadomski - Historic Shipwreck Salvage - Technical Diving Instructor - Captain
Egypt March 2021
But I’m not a CCR diver ... A good friend tech diving instructor signposted me to Aron and the Dirty Dozen trips to Truk. I have been wanting to do this “once in a lifetime trip” for a long time and I wanted to take full advantage of my tech training to enjoy depth and time on the wrecks. I was concerned that being an OC non-trimix diver I was going to miss out a lot of the itinerary but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Aron and the crew made sure I made each dive as I wanted it, time, depth, deco, gases, everything was covered for me. Sometimes I dived with a local guide (they are awesome, they know every corner of those wrecks), other times with CCR divers and also with an OC tech buddy (who were part of the crew on my trip as I was the only non CCR diver). I even got some underwater professional shots taken by Aron on my first dive!
The itinerary was perfect, every wreck was outstanding. Some days we even had options (submarine plus wreck or 2 wreck dives for example), I realised from day 1 that I was going to have my dream trip and that Aron was going to make sure of that. I was right! Truk Master is a very nice boat as well. The top dry room is used for briefings and documentaries in the evenings. You get the full WWII experience with the dirty dozen.
All guests, crew and Aron spent every evening relaxing and chatting about the wrecks, WWII history, CCRs, diving and lots of endless silly laughs. I can’t wait to book my next Dirty Dozen “once in a lifetime” trip. Thanks Aron for making this trip an amazing experience for all of us (including sorting out flight cancellations and on land great memories!)
Flavia
Truk Lagoon Jan 2020
“… but I’m not a wreck diver
I mentioned exactly this the first night on the boat. I consider myself “diver” not of any special class. I have dove wrecks, caves, caverns and reefs in lots of different locations around the world. The team I had just met gave me the ribbing I expected. Why this trip? But I went on to tell of my passion for Naval Aviation, particularly that of the War in the Pacific. I also mentioned I had been looking for a chance to get more long run times on my CCR. I also love meeting new people and learn from them. The Dirty Dozen Expedition concept seemed to fit my need just as well as it fit the others needs for wrecks. And I was not mistaken!
This operation and this destination did not disappoint. Aron and his team have taken the difficulties of taking a CCR trip halfway around the world and put it all in a world class destination with world class support all in one simple experience. They made it look simple (it wasn’t) which is exactly what we all wanted.
The team of divers, all experienced; meet new divers - check. All of which came from other parts of the world. A bunch of different unit types, styles of rigging and diving. We dove on WWII wrecks that were part of a huge naval attack that was solely accomplished by Naval Aircraft; Naval Aviation History – check. We racked up CCR runtimes that exceeded two hours on almost every dive. We dove to the edge of my MOD 2 training; CCR experience and learning new things – check.
Oh and there were wrecks, lots of wrecks! Some looked like what you expect in a wreck, but some were covered in reef life. We saw artifacts from a period of time none of us was alive for. We also saw beautiful transformations of wreck to reef, big and small animals; Diversity of diving – check. I even got to visit my first engine room…. photo’s to prove it too!
All in all this was indeed a trip of a life time that I can’t imagine doing any other way, with a group of people whom will be my dive buddies forever. I can’t say if I will be able to do another trip with The Dirty Dozen Expeditions but I can say I want to and will be looking for ways to make it happen. Aron, I guess the best way to end this is…..
Hell yes! I am a Wreck Diver!”
Jim Stanard - Owner, Family Diving Center
Truk Lagoon Dec 2019
“Diving the A-Bomb wrecks at Bikini had been on my radar ever since I heard that the region was actually open to divers—if still dauntingly remote. My dream to dive the A-Bomb wrecks of Bikini started to become reality when I heard of Aron Arngrimsson’s new “Dirty Dozen” boutique technical diving trips. After a few months of quietly checking out Aron’s credentials, I was ready to go… so when Aron announced the planned 2019 dive schedule I may have been the first to sign up, very quickly followed by two of my fellow Canadian dive buddies.
All aspects of the trip met or vastly exceeded my high expectations. I am a professional marine biologist and oceanographer and have spent well over a year at sea on large ocean-going research vessels in the North Pacific. Although my skill set is in managing “the science side” of research programs using a variety of research vessels in all seasons of the year, I have a deep appreciation of how important the crew and vessel design are to a successful expedition.
Aron & Captain Martin Cridge made all the myriad operational “behind the scenes” details involved in running a ship at sea seem easy while dealing with the wild card of a dozen divers doing demanding dives in extremely remote locations. The logistics of doing this on a ship are far from easy, yet the divers coming on their trip of a lifetime never saw any of the hard work and superb planning that supported these trips—as they shouldn’t. The divers focused on their diving while the crew supported the divers—and to a very high standard indeed. The Truk Master is not “just” a dive boat.
The vessel layout makes this a superb platform for technical diving, particularly when restricted to a dozen divers. There is space to get your kit set up and tested, the gas banks and layout are clean, and access to & from the dive platform is easy with plenty of secure handholds. However, this is a boat with a serious focus on safety. The pre-dive briefings are some of the best in the business, entertaining and chockful of useful info on the wreck and the history of the particular ship to be dived.
Unique in my experience, prior to each dive there is someone waiting at the back with a “final” checklist on a clipboard who cheerfully but carefully steps through all of the key pre-splash steps one more time, making sure all appropriate gases are turned on and giving a careful “once-over” look at the diver and his/her gear to make sure that all is well. This is all handled with a light touch so none of it is onerous, but safety is clearly built deep into the DNA of the trip.
So what more can I really say—Aron’s Dirty Dozen concept works. From the careful planning of the logistics, the easy camaraderie of crew and divers on board, to the great meals and endless supply of liquids to keep you hydrated, the quality just shines through—this is a dive trip like no other. Aron’s trips on the Truk Master are simply superb. If you are a serious diver with high expectations rest assured that your dive goals will be achieved… and in style—by perhaps the best in the business.”
David Welch
Bikini Atoll 2019
“I was only ten years old when I saw Kubrick’s movie “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” and recall vividly the closing scenes of atomic bomb blasts accompanied by Vera Lynn singing “We’ll Meet Again”.
One of those blasts, I found out many years later, was the 1946 Baker test in Bikini Atoll. My thoughts at the time were “Well, that is one place I’ll never get to visit; clearly too radioactive and closed to all by the “gubmint”. “Besides, it is in the middle of nowhere and would be too hard to get to, I don’t have enough experience, etc.”. But still, I dreamt.
A few years later I was told to get in touch with this Viking named Aron Arngrimsson who organized CCR trips to this now open, remote atoll. This happy connection has become the most important one in advancing my diving dreams. Vikings, according to reputation, have many characteristics, (pillaging and looting aside), and are best known for their sense of adventure and spirit for exploration.
Meeting Aron will certainly infect you with these things, as I was. Combined with his intimate knowledge of the sites gained through hundreds of dives in the area, his experience with just getting there with piles of gear, and his organizational skills and Aron is the ultimate host to make your diving dreams come true. At first, with only my intermediate experience, I worried that joining an elite group like the Dirty Dozen might not be a good fit.
To my delight, this group of elites is welcoming, helpful and tolerant, and happy to mentor and tutor. As well, Aron has made sure to tailor the dive sites to suit a wide range of divers from intermediate to expert. A Mod 2 certification, as I found out, is certainly adequate to explore these historic wrecks.
The vessel, Truk Master, commanded expertly by Martin Cridge and fellow Canuck Craig Johnson, is set up perfectly for technical divers. They will be able to look after you and your setup with confidence and safety. Comfort abounds throughout the ship. The large expert crew, also infected with Aron’s enthusiasm, only adds to the enthusiasm you will feel while on board.
I was impressed enough to return in 2020 to explore Chuuk along with fellow Canuck and trip co-host Jill Heinerth, and I have booked again in 2022 to return to Bikini. Thank you Aron for making my dreams come true and awakening my desire to embrace my “Inner Viking”.
We’ll Meet Again.”
Bill Golley
Bikini Atoll 2019 / Truk Lagoon 2020
“The Dirty Dozen Freediving Expedition, the first of its kind I believe, was amazing. Natalia was a great guide and made the trip so special. The opportunity to freedive some remote locations and get some tips from the ultimate pro was priceless. Aron was a great host and good photographer to boot!
What makes these expeditions by DD special is the limited number of people involved. This allows for some great camaraderie to emerge and sow the seeds of new friendships. Would highly recommend Dirty Dozen to anyone with an adventurous spirit and the desire to experience something exceptional with some very inspiring people and well off the beaten path.
Good luck guys and look forward to joining you on another adventure soon!”
Vincenzo Galli-Zugaro
Mergui Archipelago, Myanmar 2020
It all started on a dive trip in Komodo national park aboard Lazy girl with Current Junkies, like all divers, we were sharing where we would like to go next, my turn came up and I instantly replied, Truk Lagoon. Emma, the cruise director said “If you’re a tec certified diver, you must go with The Dirty Dozen”, and so started the adventure.
Around 6 months later I reached out to Aron to understand more about the trips and also to discuss my experience, which for recreational diving was 600+ dives but was limited for tec diving to my cert requirements, I wanted to know if this would have an impact on my Truk Lagoon experience, his answer was absolutely not and that I would be surrounded by some of the most experienced tec divers in the world, so an opportunity like no other to learn.
So, having agreed to join Aron and The Dirty Dozen, not for one but two back to back trips, I went and did a refresher and started the process of getting everything together, spending money on dive gear is always enjoyable, including a new camera and housing. Having arrived in Manila, we were hit with a typhoon, Aron was quick to let me know that I would be ok to join the boat as soon as I arrived and not to stress, he arranged for a hotel in Truk, which originally wasn’t required and then the team onboard the Truk Master got me safely onboard, alas 3 days later than planned.
Once onboard, it was everything Aron said and more, while I was the most inexperienced diver on the boat, the divers and the boat crew were exceptionally helpful, offering advise on how to improve my setup (which moves from Sidemount to Twins) and tips on improving my diving and photography. Finishing a dive knowing there is the 6m bar to use as reference or something to cling too was some comfort but knowing the boat crew were in the water checking on me and would rinse me and my gear, hand me a towel, drink and some fresh fruit made each dive as relaxing as possible.
Out of the water there was always something to learn with presentations from Richard Lundgren about his diving experiences and the wrecks he has discovered and Aron and his adventures across the world. There was also lots of laughs, Goran teaching us to dance or the many post dive analysis from the Sea Donkeys or everyone singing Aron’s favorite song, Baby Shark, all over shitty Budweiser beer; probably the only negative of 18 days onboard the Truk Master with The Dirty Dozen.
Thanks Aron, Martin, Craig, Mehdi and the rest of the crew on Truk Master.
Peter Marini
Truk Lagoon Nov - Dec 2019
“The Dirty Dozen concept has proven to be very viable. The unique blend of diving not only the deeper and less visited wrecks in Truk Lagoon and also some of the classic dives makes for an exceptional experience. And the adventures are supported by expedition leader Aron Arngrimsson and skipper Martin Cridge. Their passion for and knowledge of the wrecks in the lagoon are world class.
What really made the Dirty Dozen trip memorable was sharing the experience with a team of very skilled CCR divers from all over the world. On a liveaboard populated by, among others, three diving doctors, a handful of skilled technical instructors from almost all training agencies and not to mention the man who literally wrote the book on decompression, the discussions over dinner were always interesting and meaningful.
I wholeheartedly recommend participating in a future Dirty Dozen event if you have a chance.”
Jesper Kjøller
Truk Lagoon 2018
“I’ve generally been lucky. An attribute that trumps talent anytime. Right place, right time and cool stuff happens, so it was with Truk. A message from Aron, affectionately known as the worlds smallest Viking.... hey, doing this trip to Truk, no limit runtimes, liveaboard, all mates, you’ll be one of the original dirty dozen, are you in. When is it I asked? Hmm, already in the Philippines on a cave project, see...told you I was lucky. Yes mate, I will be there.
Right, time for research. Truk, as for any serious techie is on the bucket list, but its like Jennifer Anniston for us ‘more mature’ blokes, you know it will be fun, but really, how much fun could it be....
Rod MacDonald has the details nailed, his book Truk is a must read and honestly quite sobering when you see the scale of what happened. Not just in wreck terms, but in human terms. Something when we explore new places and wrecks is easy to put to the back of the mind. Chatted to a few buddies who had been there, one of whom said, if Disney did wrecks, Truk is the blockbuster. Everyone who has been there waxes lyrical, so it’s good, right? I headed out knowing it would be world class diving, but I suppose the anticipation was tinged with a sense of it can’t be as incredible as people say, ie don’t expect to much and you can still be wowed..
I WAS. BLOWN. AWAY!
There are no words to properly capture what the Truk experience gives, especially as part of the Dirty Dozen. The wrecks are amazing, especially the deeper stuff where things are pretty much untouched. There are technicolour corals, sea life, dolphins on deco, rays and sharks on the wrecks, turtles.
You want to see a dozen torpedos, a million rounds of ammunition, bombs, tanks, mines, shells. Its all there. Then remember the people, see the mess tins, the boots, maybe a skull embedded in coral, the medical kits and be humbled by the sacrifices made, by the need to show respect and put the humanity and horror in context.
The professionalism on board is tremendous, Aron works his beard off to ensure you have all you need. The crew are great and work with you how you want, respectful of the CCR and tech divers needs. The skipper is well worth diving with, great photographer and knows the wrecks inside out.
So, get up, breakfast, grab a coffee, sit through a super briefing, grab your team and drop an hour at 60m, surface to a crew happy to wash you down, carry your bailouts and give you a nice cold juice.
Whatever you heard about Truk, don’t do what I did and take it with a pinch of salt, believe it, totally, then go and still be amazed. Will I be back, sure, lucky me”
Matthew S Jevon - 2018
South West Technical Diving - Ireland.
www.swt.ie
Advanced Trimix Instructor (OC and CCR), Full Cave Instructor (OC and CCR), Explorer.
Truk Lagoon 2018
"Aron Arngrimsson, the owner and founder of The Dirty Dozen Expeditions, has created nothing short of world-class, "once in a lifetime" type of experiences for technical divers.
Before you even step foot on your liveaboard, Aron facilitates group dialogue and fosters a bond among your fellow boat mates. All questions and concerns are addressed well in advance to allow planning and packing, which is essential when traveling across the world with delicate CCRs and photography equipment.
Once on the boat, the adventure and pampering really begins. The live aboard crew are friendly, professional, and accommodating with anything from culinary requests to helping you with donning your drysuit. The boat is uncluttered, clean, and well organized for the plethora of dive gear, supportive equipment, and staff.
Finally, the diving.... The diving! The water is warm and clear. Marine life abounds. And, the wrecks provide an unrivaled playground for exploration and admiration. These ships feature cavernous engine rooms, intimidating deck guns, and all sorts of discoveries packed into crevices and corners, which range from hemispherical beach mines to Jeeps to medication kits.
What else could you a diver want?"
Derek B. Covington, M.D. - Director of Undersea Medicine Clinic - 2018
Assistant Clinical Professor - Department of Anesthesiology
University of Florida College of Medicine
Truk Lagoon 2018
I've returned from an incredibly special trip to Truk Lagoon! In short, the diving in Truk is everything it's cracked up to be. And Aron Arngrimsson and his The Dirty Dozen Expeditions made it perfect. It was top-notch all the way. Every detail was attended to. Aron and his mates, including Captain Martin Cridge and Craig Johnson, have done it before and they're very good at it. They work hard and it really pays off for the whole group.
Aron kept up a steady line of communication starting months before the trip, during the trip, and after. The M/V Truk Master is a very good boat - plenty big and comfortable. Well maintained. Bedrooms are comfortable and each has a bathroom with shower. Assigned equipment bins and deck spots, along with generous charging areas, keep it going smoothly. The price gave me pause but one reason the trip was expensive is that they don't skimp on crew or food. Crew was great and plenty of them - cooks, maintenance, housekeeping, night-watch, and of course, deck crew for diving. They don't skimp on anything. Food was so much better than I expected! Three square meals a day - breakfast (including eggs cooked to order if you want), hot lunch, and hot dinner, and more than one choice at each meal.
I was really thankful for the good meals because 10 days on board is long stretch. Plenty of snacks, water, juices, drinks, etc to stay hydrated. There is a solid emphasis on safety. No injuries or incidents during 9 days of serious diving, and that's the way it should be. Safety doesn't just happen; it's a commitment. You'll leave with some great photos, even if photography is not your thing. Aron is an accomplished u/w photographer with some great equipment. The pictures are priceless. And with the accomplished divers he's attracting, there's likely to be several serious photographers on board.
Then there are the intangibles. Hard to find the words here. Aron and his mates just know how to keep a good atmosphere. It was 10 days of light-heartedness, relaxation, fun conversation, and the best wreck and tropical diving you could ask for. The Dirty Dozen is attracting some great people and it was just a great boat to be on. The common areas are great - plenty of room for everyone to relax and just enjoy. And so nice to share the trip with an international group of serious and accomplished divers. It was a BIG commitment - time, preparation, and money - and it was 100% worth it! I not only felt I got my money's worth but more important, I felt it was completely worth my time and effort. I always wanted to make this trip and figured I'd only do it once. But I'll be back!
Joseph Sferrazza - New York City Sea Gypsies
Truk Lagoon January 2020
“My trip to Truk Lagoon was shaping out to be a trip of a lifetime. To make the most of it, I signed up for two back-to-back itineraries aboard the Truk Master liveaboard. The first was a “standard” itinerary for technical, mostly open circuit divers. Just being able to dive all these WWII wrecks now resting peacefully in the sand at 60 meters depth and visit massive engine rooms under the watchful eye of skilled dive masters was a fantastic experience.
As the trip was winding down and everyone was drying their gear and packing for their return flight home, I was wondering what the Dirty Dozen had in store for me the following week. I was blown away. It was not just a “rebreather friendly” trip but rather a dedicated CCR diving expedition with dive plans, bottom times and total dive times made suitable for serious CCR and wreck exploration diving. Logistical support on the boat was top notch. Banks of oxygen and premixed trimix gases were used to refill CCR cylinders after every dive and custom mixes could be blended upon request as well. Bailout tanks were provided with either standard or sidemount valves to accommodate individual diver preferences and scooters were available for rental to those interested in covering more ground as well. Secure ascent line, deco bars at 6 and 3 meters, and emergency deco gas drop tanks suspended at 21 and 6 meters were all in place during every dive. Back on the boat, the crew was ready to deploy a technical safety diver, a skiff, or additional deco gas to lend assistance to in-water divers if necessary.
I was so impressed with this trip that since then I have returned to Truk Master three more times - once more to join another Dirty Dozen expedition in Truk Lagoon, and twice to Bikini Atoll where, just as I did in Truk, I had an opportunity to dive with and without the Dirty Dozen. Every one of these trips was well worth my money and time and left me with unforgettable memories. For me, it was particularly the experience level of special guests, such as the author of Deco for Divers, and other divers, including cave and wreck explorers and dive medicine doctors, that made the Dirty Dozen expeditions stand out from the rest each and every time, giving me the opportunities to learn from and explore these historic wrecks with folks I would definitely consider experts in the field.”
Zb Indelak - Tec Dive Nomad - Utila, Honduras - Truk Lagoon/Bikini Atoll 2018/2019
“Bikini Atoll was on my wreck diving bucket list for many years and because it’s a true remote dive expedition, getting a great team to dive with is very important. Well along came Aron Arngrimsson and the Dirty Dozen. This concept, running a remote wreck expedition combined with a special guest who is an expert in the technical diving field ticked all the right boxes.
Aron was a great team leader, from the onset he got all expedition members onto a group chat so travel, equipment and gas issues were sorted out seamlessly before we had even left our home ports! The dive boat and crew were fantastic, not only highly experienced but also expert divers that could help with any dive question or issue.
The diving is sensational, awesome visibility combined with the best wrecks on the planet, why wouldn’t you want to go there? My trip was a complete success, the only downside is I now find it hard to get excited about other dive sites!! Aron has the experience and knowledge to get you there and get you down and dirty to all great spots on the sunken atomic fleet.
If your after world class expedition wreck diving combined with a world class dive team, give Aron a call, you won’t be disappointed.”
Laurence Martin - Bikini Atoll 2019
“What do you look for in entrusting someone to a lead a once or twice in a lifetime dive trip? For me, it comes down to a few things, but the biggest is simple. Is the leader a value-add? Does the leader have the location knowledge to increase the quality of dives as well as the safety of the dives? Has the operator thought through all of the logistics and could-go-wrongs and made precautions to avoid those?
When my team and I first started to look into a Bikini expedition in 2016 (and before The Dirty Dozen was a thing), we made the error of going through a travel agent who, through a combination of short-sightedness and errant presumptions, often lead us astray and turned relatively simple questions into a large ordeal. As the 2019 trip neared closer, I had started to hear murmurings of how well the DD trips had been orchestrated and reached out to Aron to answer few questions in hopes he could clear up some cloudiness.
Not only did he send back his expedition planning PDF but he went out of his way to help in any other manner that he could. In conversations that followed both before our trip and after, I’ve grown to appreciate that in his years as a Cruise Director (aboard the Truk Master, no less) and the first few years of his Expeditions, he’s either thought through it all or seen it all. Everything from best-gas logistics to site choice to even how to avoid United’s infamous Island Hopper losing all of your stuff (of 10 of us, 4 individuals were left without 5 bags for the trip) has been considered.
I don’t hesitate to recommend Aron and his operation to anyone with a vested interest in diving Chuuk, Bikini, or Myanmar. The guest stars and photo albums are the cherry on top of a strong foundation built in experience. “
Grant Tobin - Bikini Atoll 2019
“I had attended a presentation by Aron at DEMA in 2017 and Truk had been on my list for a while. This Dirty Dozen group intrigued me. So finally in 2019 I was able to go. I flew to Hawaii from Florida where I spent a few days in Honolulu. That was just to break the time change/jet lag and did the same thing on the way back. Then flew to Guam and Truk, spent the night at the local hotel and boarded early afternoon the next day for a 10 day cruise in the atoll.
There was more staff than customers on the Truk Master and every staff remembered everyone’s name the first day. A typical day was breakfast at 7:00, briefing at 7:45, dive at 8:00, 2 hour dive each time. Lunch at noon, and after 4 hour of surface interval....back in the water on another wreck for another 2 hours. Dinner at 8:00 then discussion/debriefing among all of us including Aron Arngrimsson and Martin Cridge the captain that both know all these wrecks intimately not only their history but also from the deepest of the engine rooms! Aron would designate one or two lucky guys for the next engine room penetration for pictures and such.
Aron and Martin’s pictures are fabulous! Generally engine rooms were easy penetrations but sometimes tricky. The advantage was to have a guide to show us the hot spots. Food was good, copious and appetizing, the chef would present the menu every night just before dinner. Accommodations were very good, comfortable bunks, I shared a room with someone else. Good size rooms and bathrooms with showers. Before each dive we were checked for everything: gas labeling, computers coordination, PO2 setting, etc.
After each dive we had the option to top up the cylinders. The deck staff was technically fluent and were right there to assist to don equipment on and off. In-water safety was well organized with “shallow Angels and deep angels” and shallow decompression deco bar below the boat platform with spare cylinders of O2. A well organized, safety conscious group. The wrecks were of course the best part. Because of the limited number of divers and their skills, silting was rarely an issue. Our trip being a Tek trip, we dove some of the deeper wrecks in the 200ft depth range. There was a good atmosphere and friendship among us on the boat that started even before we boarded. I have Bikini Atoll on my list...maybe next year?”
Didier Follain-Grisell - TDI technical instructor trainer - Delray Beach, Florida - Truk Lagoon Dec 2019
Fantastic experience Truk is an exceptional diving location. Outstanding historical monuments at all depths catering for divers qualified on CCR / OC Trimix to recreational divers happy to swim around some Betty Bombers in the shallows. Operation Hailstone was a significant event in history. As divers we are now fortunate enough to immerse ourselves upon these remarkable World War wrecks thanks to the wonderful experience that Aron offers with the Dirty Dozen Expeditions.
Aron had spent a year in Truk before starting the DD so had a real intimate knowledge of each and every wreck on the itinerary. This is priceless knowledge that he is more then willing to share with his guests throughout your time aboard the Truk Master. The Captain, Martin, an outstanding CCR diver and photographer in his own right, has been there even longer and is the man that leads the nightly briefings of the wrecks you will be diving the following day.
His briefings were outstanding and really highlighted the history your going to experience on your dives. An added bonus is Rod McDonalds book that is scattered around the cabin for you to get even more detail from. The diving is superb. It helps put into context what actually happened there as you swim past torpedos, tanks, medical kits and the odd skull still buried into the sand beside the sunken vessel. The deeper wrecks we were lucky to explore are virtually untouched, covered with reminders of the Japanese fleet. Its a sobering but exhilarating experience.
My favourite part of each dive was the deco where we ascended along the attached shot line watching the teeming marine life of sharks, rays and barracudas circling as you gazed down onto the wreck reliving the dive on her. Do yourself a favour, start planning to tick Truk Lagoon off your Diving Bucket List. There’s no better operator out there then The Dirty Dozen to satisfy your desire for some wreck porn.
Jeffrey Glenn - Go Pro Asia - Truk Lagoon 2018
I have taken a rebreather on liveaboard trips a couple of times, and whilst its nice, fitting in with a recreationally focussed itinerary is not ideal. So, a trip focussed around technical diving sounded ideal for Truuk, where spending only a short period on the wrecks after the effort to get there would feel a real miss. On that score the trip worked excellently with ability to spend as long as you wanted exploring the deeper wrecks, and runtimes of 2+ hours the norm. And, Aron, Martin and the crew have clearly got a huge amount of experience in Truuk, which helped make every dive good.
If it was only that, it would have been good, but it felt much more than 'just' a well organised tech. diving oriented package tour. From the start it felt more like a friends expedition, from team planning months before the trip, then having fun with and learning from the other guests who were themselves experienced divers, through to planning follow-on team trips (Bikini beckons :-) ). Until the next time.
Thanks again - that was the best dive trip I've ever had.
Greg Pye - Truk Lagoon 2019
“If your passion is the dark rusty wreck engine room, this is definitely your best choice. They have professional crews to keep the staying cosy, make the diving safe and sound. Aron and the skipper will save your memorable moments with splendid photos, that is something valuable to take home, to remember and to share with friends.
I enjoy the time underwater, and the pre-brief, brief and debrief time as well, hanging with new friends came from all over the world. We also took a privilege having Richard Lundgren in the trip, who gave a private lecture about one of his big adventures. Can’t wait for the next exploration with The Dirty Dozen Expeditions!
Thanks to Aron to have involved me in the wonderful journey. “
Fion Dai - Truk Lagoon Dec 2019
"When I got a job offer to move to the Marshall Islands I had one goal: learn to scuba dive. After some research I learned I wouldn't be far from Bikini Atoll at which point I decided I would, one day, dive the nuclear test site. Realizing it would require more than an Open Water certification, I worked my way up to PADI TecRec 50. Nearly six years and 525-ish dives later the opportunity presented itself and I was on my way to what I consider high-level bragging rights.
The timing worked out to my advantage as the Truk Master wasn't doing trips to Bikini until recently, so I was able to not only do some of the most amazing wreck diving in the world, but also do it in comfort with an amazing crew and guides and dive buddies. While being pampered isn't as much of a bragging right, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip to any of my fellow dive buddies and there's a good chance I'll make another trip there one day.”
Matthew Hess, Kwajalein Atoll, RMI - Bikini Atoll 2019
“We had known Aron for a long time now, back when he was a partner in Blue Immersion in Dahab, Egypt.
It has always been a pleasure to go there again and again as much for the people as for the diving.
So when my eye caught an ad gathering Truk, tek and Aron that was the trigger we needed to jump on a trip to discover Truk and its numerous wrecks.
Onboard everything was perfect : the boat, the staff and Aron. He really cooked it the right way (and for a French frog, cooking the right way is important).
I would just say it is dangerously addictive as we enlisted for Bikini with Aron. To prepare the new trip we certified in rebreather, bought rebreathers and are practicing to get our MOD2 before some more wrecks.
So dangerously addictive.
Just can’t wait for a new destination to open...”
Dominika Malczewska and Thomas Pouvreau - Truk Lagoon 2018
“If you enjoy exploring seldom-dived, massive shipwrecks in conditions that rival most aquariums, then this is the trip for you. Aron is an incredible trip leader and the crew of the Truk Master expertly handle every detail of your topside experience. Highly recommend!”
Richard Keith Lewis - GUE Seattle - Bikini Atoll 2018