Located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, deep within Micronesia, lies Truk Lagoon (now called Chuuk Lagoon). Renowned for its world-class wreck diving and breathtaking natural beauty, this remote tropical paradise attracts divers from across the globe, eager to explore its underwater treasures.
Described as ‘the world’s greatest underwater museum’ by legendary explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau, who, along with his team, explored the lagoon in the late 1960s. His work highlighted Truk Lagoon's legacy and established it as one of the most extraordinary diving destinations in the world.
Operation Hailstone
The fierce World War II battle named Operation Hailstone took place from 17th-18th February 1944, leaving an unforgettable mark on history. In just two days, the U.S Navy sank over 40 Japanese ships and destroyed nearly 250 aircraft. Often referred to as the ‘Japanese Pearl Harbour,’ this battle left behind one of the most iconic underwater battlefields, a haunting graveyard of ships, planes, and human remains, frozen in time underwater.
A Living Museum Beneath the Surface
Today, Truk Lagoon is an underwater museum, where ship and plane wrecks are adorned with colourful corals and teeming with marine life. These submerged relics are remarkably well-preserved, with each holding a unique story of the past. Amongst the wrecks, you’ll discover tanks, trucks, guns, ammunition, and even personal items from soldiers, offering a poignant glimpse into history. Exploring these sites feels like stepping into another world, where nature and history come together to create an unforgettable underwater experience.
A Diver’s Paradise
Diving in Truk Lagoon is not as challenging as you might imagine, with many of the wrecks lying within recreational diving limits. The warm waters, excellent visibility, and schooling pelagics make this destination a diver’s paradise.
Some of the most renowned wrecks to explore include:
Fujikawa Maru: A former Japanese cargo ship, resting upright on the seabed at a depth of 34m, with the top of the ship just 9m below the surface. The first sight to meet many divers as they descend is the British made bow gun. You can explore the holds, filled with ammunition and disassembled fighter planes, and access the engine room, where lots of the machinery remains intact, adding to the allure of this iconic wreck.
Shinkoku Maru: Originally a Japanese oil tanker, the Shinkoku Maru rests at a depth of 9m to 38m. Renowned as one of the most visually stunning wrecks in Truk Lagoon, it is covered with brightly coloured corals and surrounded by marine life. Divers can explore the engine room and medical bay, where medical supplies and equipment remain.
Rio de Janeiro Maru: This huge vessel, originally a passenger liner and used as a cargo ship during wartime, rests at a depth of 35m, with her top deck at 10m. The wreck is impressive to explore and is great for photographers, encrusted with colourful coral. In the hold you will find hundreds of beer bottles, and an ample supply of saki, adding to the intrigue of this fascinating wreck.
Betty Bomber: At a depth of 18m, the Japanese Mitsubishi G4M bomber rests almost intact. Its engines lie nearby, and divers can explore the wreck from nose to tail, surrounded by schooling fish.
San Francisco Maru: Resting at 63m, with the foremast at 34m, this wreck is beyond the reach of recreational divers but is a technical diver’s dream. Referred to as the ‘million-dollar wreck’ due to the estimated value of the cargo found onboard, it features three Japanese battle tanks on the deck at 49m, along with many war relics in the holds.
Dive into the past at Truk Lagoon and discover history, adventure, and nature in one place!
