In the years following World War II, the US conducted more than 20 nuclear bomb tests at the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. Nearly 100 ships were used in the testing, and now, 70 years later, diving at the Bikini Atoll is something advanced divers and history buffs can enjoy.
One of the main draws at this site is the USS Saratoga. This 880-foot-long aircraft carrier was a powerful weapon during the war, often reported sunk by the Japanese. However, the reports of her demise were greatly exaggerated, and the ship survived the war intact. It wasn’t until July 25, 1946, that this decorated vessel finally reached the bottom of the sea. The Saratoga now rests in 170 feet of water, with the bridge accessible at just under 60 feet.
Inside the hangar deck, at 104 feet, bombers known as Helldivers still sit, forever grounded beneath the sea. You’ll even see old-school Navy diving helmets resting in the hold. Even though this is considered the shallowest wreck among the Bikini Atoll vessels, only ten percent of “Sara” has been explored.
Another popular ship known as the Nuclear Fleet is the HIJMS Nagato. The flagship of the Japanese fleet, it is believed that it was from the bridge of this vessel that Admiral Yamamoto oversaw the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 221-foot vessel rests in 170 feet of water, upside down on the seafloor. The large complement of deck guns has kept the ship from sinking utterly flat on the bottom. Look at this video exploration of the Saratoga to get a closer view of this historic vessel without getting wet.
