Kwajalein Dive Center

Heads up! We are going to have inconsistent hours for the next two weeks. Feel free to message us if you have any questions. Thank you for understanding!

A cool fact about our most popular shipwreck…

The collision between the German cruiser Prinz Eugen and the German cruiser Leipzig occurred on October 15, 1944, in the Baltic Sea when both Kriegsmarine ships were operating in poor weather conditions and limited visibility. In the incident, the bow of the Prinz Eugen struck the side of the Leipzig hull hard, causing heavy damage to both ships, causing them to become stuck together for some time before finally being separated. Although they did not sink, the damage was serious enough that both ships had to undergo lengthy repairs and could not immediately return to combat operations during the final period of World War II. 🕊⚓🇺🇸

How cool is this cake?! 🤿

I never get tired of the ocean themed cakes and this one is no exception! Happy 100th dive! What an accomplishment!

Join us this Sunday evening for a night dive. We will gear up at Emon Beach and walk down to Northpoint to splash and end the dive back at Emon. You must sign up in advanced at the dive shop. We are opened 4 PM to 6 PM on weekdays and 12 PM to 2 PM on weekends. Must be Openwater certified to join! 🔦

Join us this coming Monday! We’re kicking it back! This is a great time to practice if you feel like your RDP skills are rusty, you’re a nerd or you just want to get in the water and blow some bubbles. 🫧 We’re splashing at 10am!

We’re diving this coming Monday and beforehand instructor Heath is going to talk about dive computer settings. It doesn’t matter what type of dive computer you have. If you’ve ever had any questions, this is the time to come and ask! 

We’ll also have a few loaner computers available if you’re thinking of upgrading or want to compare settings. Feel free to spread the word, there’s no required sign up or costs. Hope to see you then!

We’re going to start diving every Monday! Doing a dive talk about navigating to different sites and learning more about equipment and then we’ll hit the water! 🌊 Stop by the shop or message us to learn more!

Congrats to Natalie on her reactivate and Addie on her Openwater cert!

If it’s been a while since your last dive then it’s great to get in the water with an instructor to do a refresher. It will help you relearn the gear, skills and complete the knowledge review portion as well.

January 12, 1944 – 82 years ago today
Written by Dan Farham

Following the capture of the Gilbert Islands in late November 1943 (Operation ‘Galvanic’), U.S. aircraft used the captured airfields to stage a number of reconnaissance and harassment raids into the Marshall Islands over the next two months before the start of Operation ‘Flintlock’.

One such raid took place on January 12, 1944, when ten U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 ‘Liberator’ land-based bombers staged a raid on the southern end of Kwajalein Atoll. The strike force departed from Abemama and flew at low level to avoid radar. The attackers arrived over Kwajalein Island at high noon, taking the Japanese completely by surprise.

The mission objective was to strike targets of opportunity and photograph the west reef area to assist with planning for the invasion that would take place at the end of the month (Operation ‘Flintlock’).

It was during this raid that the Ikuta Maru, which was at anchor near the northwest end of Kwajalein Island, was hit by at least one bomb dropped from an attacking aircraft. One of the pilots claimed two hits on the Ikuta Maru, but available Japanese records do not confirm two hits. The hit or hits started fires on the stern area of the Ikuta Maru, and a few hours later a large explosion blew the stern apart and sank the ship.

The Ikuta Maru is most commonly referred to by Kwajalein divers as the “P-North” wreck, so named because it lies a few hundred yards to the northwest of the “P-buoy” (Akibasan Maru) wreck.

For more information on the Ikuta Maru wreck, see this YouTube video-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXn7Jh5bipI

Instructor Heath writes, “Big thank you to all the divers that came out for the dive against debris course and dive. We picked up around 30-50 lbs of fireworks debris. Thanks goes out to Sandee Colby, Harold Colby, and Chris for picking up around 20 lbs yesterday as well. Remember to stay safe and be better humans and help protect the beautiful waters that we love to explore.”

Amazing video put together by Julie & Reuben Spaeth of Monday’s Clean-up dive!

Post firework show clean up dive! 🎆 🌊 🪸 🚮

Back by popular demand! We had such an amazing turnout and a successful trash clean-up last weekend that we’re keeping the momentum going and offering it again this weekend! Join us Monday morning! 🐚 Space is limited. Come by the dive shop to register!