Pacific Master

Bikini Atoll itineraries align with United Airlines' 'Island Hopper' flights from Hawaii to Kwajalein via Majuro. The HNL-MAJ-KWA route departs Honolulu early on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, taking about 7 hours to reach Kwajalein. Note that traveling west from Hawaii crosses the international date line, so you will arrive the following day (Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday).

IMPORTANT: Due to frequent luggage delays caused by aircraft weight limits, we strongly recommend arriving at least 2 days before your liveaboard embarkation. Luggage often arrives two days later if delayed, which can be problematic since there are no hotels on Kwajalein and only one on Ebeye, requiring cash payment on check-in.

United Airlines also offers a flight from Guam via Chuuk and Pohnpei on alternate days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), though similar luggage issues can occur.

Truk Lagoon – Chuuk International Airport, Weno island (TKK) For your convenience, a transfer will be provided free of charge between Chuuk Airport or hotel in Weno and the liveaboard vessel on the day of embarkation and disembarkation.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to flight constraints some Truk Lagoon itineraries operate back-to-back on the same day. In these instances, after a light breakfast onboard, departing guests will be transferred to a local resort where they can wait in comfort for their outgoing flight.

Incoming guests arriving in the morning on embarkation day will also be transferred to a local resort where they can enjoy a light lunch and some time to relax or visit the local museum before embarkation.

Flights routes to Chuuk (TKK):

• From Manila, Hong Kong, Tokyo or Incheon (South Korea) via Guam on United Airlines
• From Honolulu, Hawaii via the Marshall Islands with United Airlines (Island Hopper)
• From Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Brisbane, Cairns, Incheon (South Korea), Hong Kong or Tokyo, via Port Moresby (POM) Papua New Guinea

Here's an easy way to see all the Flight Connections

 Truk Lagoon - Passport holders of most Western countries may obtain a visa on arrival which allows stays up to 30 days. Travellers from the United States may obtain a tourist visa to stay for up to 1 year. Passports must have at least 4 months of validity upon arrival into Chuuk. However, transit through Guam and the US requires a minimum passport validity of 6 months. 

You are also required to show a confirmed ticket to leave Chuuk or any country you are transiting through, before boarding your inbound flight.

Bikini Atoll - US citizens do not require a visa to enter the Marshall Islands. Visitors from the EU, UK, and Taiwan are exempt from visa requirements for stays up to 90 days. Most other nationalities will be granted a visa on arrival for a fee of $100. Please refer to www.rmiocit.org/visa-requirements for further details of countries covered by visa exemption agreements or eligible for visa on arrival.

Nationalities not covered by visa waiver agreements, or eligible for a visa on arrival, must obtain a visa before travelling to the Marshall Islands. Processing time for visa applications is up to 14 days. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the date of departure from the Marshall Islands.  

Note: Kwajalein Airport is a military installation, as such, Master liveaboards will provide you with a sponsor letter to enter the country. You will need to bring this with you for presentation upon arrival. 

Guests travelling with medication should bring a copy of their physician's prescription with them.

Should you be transiting via Guam or Hawaii you will also require an ESTA. Refer to the US Department of Homeland Security ESTA information page.

Truk Lagoon

Recreational divers wishing to participate in scuba diving in Truk Lagoon are required to have PADI Advanced Open Water certification, or equivalent, with a minimum of 50 logged dives. Deep Diver Speciality (40 metres) is also recommended due to the depths of some of the wrecks' features.

Technical and rebreather divers are required to have the relevant certification and
experience for the depths and type of diving which they intend to do.

PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of qualifications and experience, Solo diving is NOT permitted.

Bikini Atoll - NOT SUITABLE FOR RECREATIONAL DIVERS

Diving in Bikini Atoll is only suitable for divers with technical diving certifications and deep, wreck diving experience. The average maximum dive depth of the wrecks in Bikini Atoll is 50 metres.

Experience and certification requirements - The minimum MANDATORY certification required for guests joining a Master Liveaboards Bikini Atoll itinerary is TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures, or equivalent, e.g. PADI Tec. 45, with 100 logged dives and wreck diving experience.

Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) divers must have minimum TDI Air Diluent Decompression 45 metres or Helitrox Decompression 45 metres, or equivalent.

All guests are required to provide proof of certification relevant to the diving they wish to do. You will need to provide this information on the Advanced Passenger Information (API) portal prior to embarkation. A link to the API will be provided once full payment for the trip is completed.

Truk Lagoon Climate and Weather

As part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Chuuk is a tropical country with a climate that is fairly even all year round; the average high is 30°C (86°F) whilst the average low is 25°C (77°F). Rain can be expected at any time although the lowest rainfall is from January to March with trade winds coming mainly from the northeast between December and June.

Bikini Atoll Climate and Weather

The climate of the Marshall Islands is tropical, hot all year round, with constant trade winds and little variation in temperatures, although the central and southern islands are more equatorial and rainy all year round. Temperatures in the northern atolls average between 30° and 31°C (86°-88°F) from April to October cooling down to around 25°-26°C (76°-78°F) in the evenings. The wettest months in the north are July - October with an average of 185-250 mm (7-10 inches) and 21-22 days of rain.

The US Dollar is the local currency in both locations. We advise bringing sufficient cash with you for your trips. The major establishments in Truk will be able to accept payment via Visa or Mastercard. This may not be the same in Bikini Atoll. Cash is king.

Truk Lagoon - Water Temperature and Exposure Suits

Water temperatures are generally between 28°-30°C (82°-86°F) all year round.
Most guests will find a 3mm wetsuit provides sufficient warmth although Tec divers are advised to bring appropriate exposure protection for extended bottom times and prolonged deco-stops. A full-length exposure suit is strongly recommended to avoid injury when diving on the wrecks.

Bikini Atoll - Water Temperature and Exposure Suits

Warm temperatures in Bikini Atoll are consistent with very little variation from the norm of 28°-29°C (82°-84°F). Many divers are comfortable in little more than swimwear and a rash guard although a full-length suit is strongly recommended due to the nature of the dives and to avoid injury from the wreckage. We advise bringing appropriate, thermal exposure protection for prolonged deco-stops and dive times.

You are not legally obligated to use a dive guide, so you must manage your own dive profile. Divers planning technical dives must submit their dive plans to the Cruise Director. Solo diving is strictly prohibited, and all dive teams will be limited by the experience level of the least experienced member.

Nomadic Scuba says… At any given opportunity we will always use local guides. Not only does this elevate your dive experience but it also supports the local economy. Nine times out of ten it's a free service too, so why not? That’s our take on the subject anyway.

In a nutshell, lots! The list is extensive so we will forward you all of the pre-order lists once you have your reservation. If you need it beforehand, simply get in touch and we will send the information direct to you asap.