Bikini Atoll
Overview
The Bikini Atoll was the location of 23 atmospheric atomic bomb tests from 1946 through 1958.
The Bravo test, in February 1954, was at 15 megatons the most powerful bomb ever detonated by the United States--far bigger than expected. An H-bomb, it vaporized three islands and threw radioactive debris over nearly 50,000 square miles.
What You'll See
Scuba divers may explore Bikini's sunken ghost fleet, ten major ships from the ninety-five target vessels that were anchored in the lagoon during the tests, including the 880-foot U.S.S. Saratoga, which is the only aircraft carrier in the world in which to dive, and the battleship Nagota, once the flagship of the Japanese Navy, from which admiral Yamamoto directed the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Public Tours Dates and Times
Bikini Atoll is only accessible via two liveaboard operators, Truk Master and Indies Trader.
How to Get There
Currently you must go as part of a tour, which leaves from Honolulu, Hawaii to Majuro, then from Majuro to Bikini. There is a brief refuelling stop at Johnston Island, an atomic tourist site in its own right.