Update: August 27, 2010

Dear All,

The Kili/Bikini/Ejit Local Government Council closed Bikini Atoll for tourism in 2008. The Council made this decision due to the ongoing reliability issues with our local airline, Air Marshall Islands, the rise in the world price of fuel, and the decline in the stock market and the impact that this has had on our trust funds (which were used to subsidise our dive program):  Two years later, in August of 2010, none of these issues have changed for us so we remain closed.

While we continue to explore ways to reinstitute our tourism program, due to the ongoing issues mentioned above despite a huge demand for us to reopen, we at this time have no future plans for opening Bikini Atoll.

The Local Government Council is allowing certain types of vessels to visit Bikini Atoll and dive on the wrecks provided definitive prior arrangements are made with Bikini Atoll Divers.

These vessels or yachts must be completely self-contained, and must include:

*adequate international communications equipment

*housing, dining facilities, and supplies (all food, water, medical equipment, etc)

*all equipment needed to fill tanks and take care of divers, including any nitrox, oxygen or specialized medical equipment

*preferably have a helicopter for medical evacuation purposes

During such visits our local government will send along a diver and up to two Local Government Council representatives--at the vessel owner's expense--to make sure that no artifacts are removed from the ships.

If you want more information regarding this kind of expedition, please contact: bikinijack@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Jack Niedenthal
Tourism Operations Manager for
the Bikini Atoll Local Government