Diving & Travel Guide to Mili Atoll

About Mili Atoll

Mili Atoll in the far south of the Marshall Islands is a WWII wreck heaven where dozens of Japanese and American aircraft and vessels came to rest in remarkably shallow, accessible water. The Mili Airport plane wrecks lie in just 5 to 15 m, with intact wings and engines of Zeros, a B-25 Mitchell and a Helldiver, all coral-encrusted and alive with macro life, making them superb snorkel and sport-diving sites. The Japanese cargo ship Toyotsu Maru sits in 15 to 25 m with its hold full of ammunition and supplies, penetrable and home to batfish and groupers, while Mili Pass offers a drift with grey reef sharks, barracuda and tuna and the chance of mantas over pristine coral walls. The lagoon is strewn with landing craft, tanks and artillery now turned into artificial reefs dense with soft corals, nudibranchs and frogfish. Mili is remote and rewarding, best reached by flight or expedition liveaboard.

Highlights

• ✓Mili Airport Plane Wrecks: shallow Zeros, a B-25 Mitchell and a Helldiver in 5 to 15 m, coral-encrusted and macro-rich.
• ✓Toyotsu Maru: a 40 m Japanese cargo ship in 15 to 25 m with an ammunition hold, batfish and groupers.
• ✓Mili Pass: a drift dive with grey reef sharks, barracuda, tuna and occasional mantas over pristine walls.
• ✓Mili Lagoon Wrecks: landing craft, tanks and artillery as artificial reefs with soft corals and frogfish.

Getting There

Mili is reached by Air Marshall Islands flight from Majuro or by liveaboard. The airport plane wrecks and lagoon sites are accessed by boat from Mili island, while deeper passes are best reached with an expedition vessel. Logistics are basic and advance planning is essential.