Expedition Dates to be Announced

The Midway Islands are perhaps the most famous site in the northwestern Hawaiian archipelago. The Midway atoll is formed by one of the last peaks in the Hawaiian island mountain range; the remaining summit of a 28-million year old volcano. It lies 1,300 miles / 2,092 kilometers northwest of Honolulu, 90 miles / 145 kilometers from Pearl and Hermes Reef, and is 50 miles / 80 kilometers east of Kure, the northwestern-most island in the chain.

Situated approximately two-thirds of the way from Tokyo to Honolulu, Midway was the site of one of the most decisive battles of World War II in the Pacific Theater. Both on the islands themselves and underwater, artifacts from the Battle of Midway are still evident, including the original runways, buildings and bunkers.

The Midway atoll is an almost-circular coral reef, nearly 5 miles in diameter. In its center is a shallow lagoon, which at its deepest measures from 25 to 50 feet / 7.6 to 15.25 meters -- surrounded by shallower water along its edges. Most of the reef is a flat-topped wall, measuring from 6 to 15 feet / 1.8 to 4.6 meters in width and rising to about five feet / 1.5 meters above mean sea level. Near the southern rim of the atoll are the two islands; Sand Island and Eastern Island. Both have rather sparse vegetation and were planted with non-native species during the 19th century. And of course, everywhere on the island the famed "gooney birds" are present.

It is, however, the diving that makes the Midway Islands such a rewarding destination. Midway is part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve -- the largest such nature preserve in the US and includes approximately 70% of the coral reefs in US waters. One of the world's last unspoiled, isolated paradises, Midway has benefited from being closed to the public for more than 50 years -- prior to it's opening to the public in 1996.

Midway's waters teem with fish of numerous species, including: Pacific Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Tuna, Ono, Mahimahi, Swordfish, Trevally, Amberjack, Whitetip Reef sharks, Green Sea Turtles, Hawaiian Spiny Lobster, Dragon Morays, Spinner Dolphins, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Monk Seals, Tiger Sharks, Scorpionfish, Spiny Lobster, Yellowbar Parrotfish, Hawaiian Morwongs, Manta & Eagle Rays, Hawaiian Longfin Anthias, Japanese Angelfish, Psychedelic Wrasse, Bluespotted Scorpionfish, Schlegel's Grouper, and many, many more.

Midway's climate is subtropical, and is cooled by the prevailing easterly wind. The dive season runs from May through October, and while a gentle current flows most of the time, expect to encounter stronger currents during the full and new moon phases.