Mashall Islands

[paquito 1]

Hello All,

 

Does anyone have experience diving the Marshall Islands? I am aware of Bikini, but how about any of the surrounding islands, land based or liveaboards, etc?

 

If you do, what type of diving is it typically?

How were your water conditions compared to what they tell you usually occurs if not the same?

Coral life, fish life, and were they similar to other destinations?

Pelagics? Macro? Currents?

Any wrecks that are as worthwhile as in Truk (though maybe not as populous in number)?

 

Any special issues, gov't red tape, b.s., flight, and special precautions one should be aware of?

 

Did you have fun?

 

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

 

paquito

[danschmitt 0]

Have dove Kwajalein from the Regan Missle Test site. My in the water info should be good, but the getting there and gov't hassles will be different (flew military space available air, had all the magic clearance and friends with places to stay.)

 

When you hit the doldroms the vis is outstanding (100ft plus). Currents didn't seem to be an issue. The outside of the atoll is very pretty (good wall, lots of coral, occasional sharks and mantas), the wrecks are on the inside (more sand flats, some good coral spots.) I did some shore dives (inside the atoll) and mostly boat dives from the 20ft boston whaler rental boats (4 people, 8 tanks, 2 anchors and go.) There are some neat spots inside the atoll (Troy's coral head has an upwelling that always has big schools of bigeye and lots of sharks.) Lots of nice hard coral, lots of anemonies and clown fish, some lionfish, lots of reef fish. The prince eugen is an outstanding wreck. I had fun.

[paquito 1]

Thank you Dan,

 

Curious, what time of year did you dive and how recent was this? Planning any return trips? Did any of the locals speak about sites in neighboring islands?

 

Thanks again for your input and help.

[MikeVeitch 0]

I know there is a new liveaboard that is now running out of the Marshalls. I believe it is based in Majuro and they now have some permission to run out of Kwaj at certain times of the year....now if i could only remember the name of it....

 

I read about their new itinerary somewhere in the last week but can't find where, perhaps the latest Sport Diver magazine? (Which i can't find at the moment..)

 

I will let you know if i find it

[danschmitt 0]

Thank you Dan,

 

Curious, what time of year did you dive and how recent was this? Planning any return trips? Did any of the locals speak about sites in neighboring islands?

 

Thanks again for your input and help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

August 2004 was the last trip, previous trips were August 2002, July 2003.

Haven't got plans to return right now (looking more to Palau and PNG since

I'm starting in Okinawa instead of Hawaii, and it adds an leg to the flight.)

The trips folks there talked about were Palau and Bikini.

[Pacifichiflyer 0]

Been to Majuro several years ago. Dive operations have changed. Check out

 

www.divemarshallislands.com

www.rongelapexpeditions.com