Diving Chuuk – Truk Lagoon | Micronesia

DESTINATION OVERVIEW | Nothing can quite match diving on the superb wrecks in Truk Lagoon. On February 17, 1944 at 0530, Japanese radars detected an approaching aircraft squadron. Operation Hailstone began - an estimated 450 American planes blitzed what was thought to be an impenetrable haven and completely annihilated the Japanese Imperial Fleet stationed in Truk Lagoon. Decades later, the view of the perfectly calm lagoon makes it hard to imagine the devastation until, of course, you get below the water.

The Japanese believed that Chuuk's completely enclosed lagoon, with so few entry and exit channels, would be easy to defend against a naval attack. However, this made the lagoon a trap.

There are now forty or so shipwrecks lying on the lagoon floor. Each one is a sumptuous artificial reef and many are within sport diving limits. There are the remains of tanks and jeeps, anti-aircraft guns and torpedo tubes and more ammunition than you care to think about. There are broken aircraft and abandoned submarines but there are far fewer artefacts than you may have thought. Sadly, many small items have been systematically stolen whether by the odd tourist who thinks taking a souvenir is clever and by locals who try to profit from selling artefacts or salvage explosives for their own use.

There are also dives on the outer reefs, some of which are known for their shark populations but a combination of natural and man-made damage means that these reefs are really not worth diverting attention away from the engrossing wrecks.

Truk Lagoon
scuba diving features

PROS AND CONS | Chuuk - Truk Lagoon - is not an easy destination to reach. From Europe it will take two days to get there and flights cost a lot more than many people would normally consider paying. However, this is unique diving laced with incredible history so it's worth the trek. Hopping on a liveaboard will mean you can make the most of your time – and for even better value for money go to Yap or Palau at the same time.

SCUBA DIVING | Generally the conditions in the lagoon are faultless with calm surface conditions, little or no current and good visibility. The only difficulty is in the depths as some wrecks are beyond 30 metres and several are over 50 metres. Dives require careful planning and decompression time is a must. To balance that, some of the airplane wrecks sit in less than 20 metres.

OPINION | This may well be a once in a lifetime destination but you really have to do it. We planned a three week long trip to do Palau, Yap and Truk together. However, combining them wasn't easy as liveaboard schedules for Palau and Truk do not coordinate with each other or inbound flights. We don't feel we saw the best of the region, but at least we saw it.

MICRONESIA | diving in Palau and Yap

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