17 replies to this topic

[Travelnsj]

I am looking to put a trip together next year in September or October 2006. I will be diving out of Majuro.

So has anyone been there?.....If so tell me all about it!

[drdiver]

If we dive Kwajalein and the Prinz Eugen, I"m in. Just let me know.

[Travelnsj]

If we dive Kwajalein and the Prinz Eugen, I"m in.  Just let me know.

Where is Kwajalein and Prinz Eujen?

Is that in the Marshall Islands??? If so is can you dive those locations from Majuro?

[drdiver]

Kwajalein isn't that far from Majuro. Cenpac Divers on Ebeye goes there. I don't know who you were thinking about using for an operator.

[Travelnsj]

Kwajalein isn't that far from Majuro.  Cenpac Divers on Ebeye goes there.  I don't know who you were thinking about using for an operator.

I have no idea who to use. The point to my post was to find out information about the Marshall Islands ie Dive Operators, Hotels, Dive sites etc.

If you have been there and would like to share any info it would be appreciated.

[drdiver]

I'd recommend placing a request for this trip in the 2006 trip planning thread. Probably more people will show an interest there and Kamala can look into the details.

[Travelnsj]

I'd recommend placing a request for this trip in the 2006 trip planning thread.  Probably more people will show an interest there and Kamala can look into the details.

I already posted Marshall Islands in the 2006 thread.

I am also trying to do a little of my own research. What i asked if someone has been there please share info. You talked about two dive spots that you are fimiliar with. So...if you have been there please share any info.

Thanks

[drdiver]

I've talked with CenPac Divers at trade shows a couple of times. I've heard from other divers that have done the Marshalls that they run a good operation. I've also heard good things about Yokwe Divers, but I don't know if they go to Kwajalein. I also haven't run across them at any trade shows and met them personally. Hope this helps, good luck in your search.

[Travelnsj]

Thanks for the info.

I am currently talking with Yokwe divers and staying at the Marshall Islands Resort. But i will also the cenpac people.

Thanks

Edited by Travelnsj, 31 May 2005 - 11:23 AM.

[BradfordNC]

just came back from Bikini, and had to stop in Majuro on the way in and out.

i stayed at the Marshal Islands Resort (used to be the Outrigger Resort) and did a few dives with Yokwe Divers.

Yokwe is located in the hotel, and the diving can be very close.

did one dive on a wreck about 300 meters from the pier.

the outer reef is only about 20 minutes away, and was an excellent wall dive.

they also manage a live aboard which usualy does expeditions to Rongalap.
however, they have started scheduling trips to Kwajalein.
but you have to be quick, i think the Kwajalein trips for 2005 and 2006 might already be filled up.


safety wise, one thing you need to think about is just how remote the Marshall Islands are.

the closest chamber is a very small one on Kwajalein. it is there for the US military divers who do work around the Atoll. you can't count on it because there is no telling when it might already be in use. your options after that are Truuk, Guam, or Hawaii.

unless you are diving at Kwajalein, any trip to the chamber will involve a plane ride, and that means you will need a plane. good luck on finding or arranging one.

[drdiver]

That's good gen, that's for sharing!

[Travelnsj]

just came back from Bikini, and had to stop in Majuro on the way in and out.

i stayed at the Marshal Islands Resort (used to be the Outrigger Resort) and did a few dives with Yokwe Divers.

Yokwe is located in the hotel, and the diving can be very close.

did one dive on a wreck about 300 meters from the pier.

the outer reef is only about 20 minutes away, and was an excellent wall dive.

they also manage a live aboard which usualy does expeditions to Rongalap.
however, they have started scheduling trips to Kwajalein.
but you have to be quick, i think the Kwajalein trips for 2005 and 2006 might already be filled up.


safety wise, one thing you need to think about is just how remote the Marshall Islands are.

the closest chamber is a very small one on Kwajalein. it is there for the US military divers who do work around the Atoll. you can't count on it because there is no telling when it might already be in use. your options after that are Truuk, Guam, or Hawaii.

unless you are diving at Kwajalein, any trip to the chamber will involve a plane ride, and that means you will need a plane. good luck on finding or arranging one.

Brad,

Thanks for the information. I was looking for someone who has been there. Got a few questions for you.

How long does it take to get to Kwajalein?

How do you compare the diving to Palau?

The Marshall Islands resort a nice place?

The Yokwe divers a good operation?

I have been looking at the Robert Reimers Hotel did you hear anything about that?

Any good current dives i.e. Blue Corner?

Possible SD destination for 2006?

Sorry for all the questions but want to make sure this is a place i want to go.

By the way how was Palau? and who was your divemaster at Sams?

Again thanks for you reply.

Scott

[BradfordNC]

Brad,

Thanks for the information. I was looking for someone who has been there. Got a few questions for you.

How long does it take to get to Kwajalein?

How do you compare the diving to Palau?

The Marshall Islands resort a nice place?

The Yokwe divers a good operation?

I have been looking at the Robert Reimers Hotel did you hear anything about that?

Any good current dives i.e. Blue Corner?

Possible SD destination for 2006?

Sorry for all the questions but want to make sure this is a place i want to go.

By the way how was Palau? and who was your divemaster at Sams?

Again thanks for you reply.

Scott

Majuro to Kwaj is about an hour flight.

by boat they say it takes about 36 hours.

the dive expeditions for Kwaj will allow you to fly into Kwaj.
if you do that, i recommend using Continental to fly from Hawaii, to Maj for a brief stop, then off to Kwaj.

i wouldn't recommend staying in Majuro and flying the Marshall Island Airline.
it can be a very big hassle.
if you do stay in Majuro, make sure your flight to Kwaj is on Continental.


it may seem like a no brainer that the Kwaj trips would start there, but the atoll is a US military base, where chemical and biological weapons are stored and destroyed. so there is no tourism allowed. the police will escort you from the plane to the boat.


diving in the Marshall Islands as compared to Palau.
there are wrecks inside the Atoll. most people don't dive them. i'm not most people. lol.
the dives outside the Atoll are drift dives just like in Palau. the walls i dove in Majuro started at about 20 feet and kept going down into the abyss.
Majuro has a lot more hard corals. i saw tons of realy big table corals, which you don't see in Palau.


the Marshall Islands Resort is a nice place. it's prolly the best place on the island. it is the first resort there. however, the Marshallese have not yet figured out the concept of service and the tourist industry.
in any of the restaraunts, don't hold your breathe waiting for your drink to get refilled, or you will pass out.



Yokwe Divers is a great place. i can't say enough good things about them.
the owners are extremely friendly and helpful (she is American, he is from New Zeland).


i have only heard of the Robert Reimers Hotel. i'm not sure i'd risk it. the MIR is the top resort on the island and it had problems.


unless your diving the wrecks, all the dives seem to be drift dives. and there are several other Atolls they can take you to see. on the dive i did, we saw a Napleon Wrasse just about as big as the one at Blue Corner.

as far as a possible SD destination. i think it might depend on what everybody wants to do when they aren't diving. the Marshall Islands are kinda like Palau, they are nothing like Cozumel or Bonaire.
i'd recommend one of the liveaboards. you'll see more of the Atolls, do more diving, and not have to deal with a lot of the hassles of staying land based.


Palau is great, did most of my diving with Keith, Dexter and Ronnie

[Travelnsj]

Brad,

Thanks so much for the Information.

One last question....How was the Pelagic action?

That is the real reason I am interested in going.

Regarding Palau do not know Ronnie but Keith is a good friend and i enjoy diving with him. In fact the best divemaster i have ever dove with. His Maui Jims he wears is courtesy (tip) from me! I also had one of my favorite dives with Dexter this last time at Jakes Seaplane.

Again thank you for the info

Scott

[BradfordNC]

One last question....How was the Pelagic action?

That is the real reason I am interested in going.

Scott,

to be fair to the diving around the Marshall Islands, i only did 2 dives out of Majuro.

i was on my way to Bikini, for the type of diving that interests me.



so i rate most of my dives in Palau as the same as the dives in Majuro.

saw some coral things, saw some fish things, some had stripes, some had solid colors.

unlike the shallow Florida Keys, if you fell asleep looking at coral, you'd sink to about 2,000 fsw.