USS Pilotfish - Bikini Atoll
Diving the USS Pilotfish is like stepping into a time capsule, a powerful reminder of Bikini's past. This isn't just a wreck; it's a hulking, intact submarine, lying on its starboard side at about 40 meters. We love tracing the length of it, from the torpedo tubes right up to the conning tower. The sheer scale is impressive, and the penetration opportunities are fantastic – even a quick peek into the control room gives you that eerie sense of history frozen in time. What makes Pilotfish a standout for us is the way the marine life has adapted. Schools of silver flagtail shimmer around the periscope, and you'll often spot humphead wrasse cruising by. Look closely at the hull and you'll see fire coral and corrugated coral clinging on, providing shelter for black-spotted blowfish and pink squirrelfish. It's an expert dive, no doubt, with strong currents a real possibility, but if you're comfortable at depth and keen for a truly unique wreck experience, this is one to prioritise. We'd suggest getting there early in the day if possible; the light filtering down through the water column really enhances the sense of scale.
- Location
- Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, Central & South Pacific
- Coordinates
- 11.580000, 165.390000
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 30-45m
- Difficulty
- Expert
Marine Protected Area: Bikini
Best Time to Dive in Bikini Atoll
The warmest water temperatures in Bikini Atoll occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 27.7°C (air: 26.9°C)
- February: 27.7°C (air: 26.7°C)
- March: 27.7°C (air: 26.9°C)
- April: 27.7°C (air: 27.1°C)
- May: 27.7°C (air: 27.5°C)
- June: 27.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
- July: 27.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
- August: 27.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
- September: 27.7°C (air: 28.0°C)
- October: 27.7°C (air: 27.8°C)
- November: 27.7°C (air: 27.8°C)
- December: 27.7°C (air: 27.5°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Bikini Atoll
- Bikini Atoll
- HIJMS Nagato - 35-55m (wreck)
- HIJMS Nagato (Wreck) - 51m (wreck)
- USS Saratoga - 15-55m (wreck)
- USS Saratoga Wreck - 45m (wreck)
Marine Life in Bikini Atoll
Home to 268 recorded species including 190 reef fish, 65 hard corals, 3 clams & mussels, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 sharks & rays, 1 jellyfish.
Notable Species
- Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus merra) - Reef Fish
- Silver Squirrelfish (Sargocentron microstoma) - Reef Fish
- Three-spot wrasse (Halichoeres trimaculatus) - Reef Fish
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- Belted wrasse (Stethojulis balteata) - Reef Fish
- Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
- Hexagon Grouper (Epinephelus hexagonatus) - Reef Fish
- Bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius) - Reef Fish
- Ghost Cardinalfish (Nectamia fusca) - Reef Fish
- Citron Butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) - Reef Fish
- Dusky Wrasse (Halichoeres marginatus) - Reef Fish
- Lemon Peel (Centropyge flavissima) - Reef Fish
- Armed Squirrel-fish (Neoniphon sammara) - Reef Fish
- Pearl-spotted wrasse (Halichoeres margaritaceus) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Cheilinus trilobatus) - Reef Fish
- Floral wrasse (Cheilinus chlorourus) - Reef Fish
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Peppered Squirrelfish (Sargocentron punctatissimum) - Reef Fish
- Four-saddle Grouper (Epinephelus spilotoceps) - Reef Fish
- Banded Fringe Blenny (Cirripectes variolosus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for USS Pilotfish
Based on average water temperature of 27.7°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories