TRUK LAGOON (Chuuk)

Truck Truk Lagoon is unquestionably the world's best shipwreck diving destination. Protected from wind and ocean swells, this lagoon has often been described as a placid lake in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Truk Lagoon offers the greatest concentration of wrecks anywhere in the world. The number, variety and size of the wrecks and the spectacular marine life that grows on them are unequalled. Truk Lagoon's sunken fleet has become the standard by which all other wreck dives are measured.

In February of 1944, Japan's fortress of Truk Lagoon was attacked by Task Force 58 - More than 400 Japanese planes were wiped out and some 50-60 ships were believed sunk. Those two days of devastating air assault created what is today known as the "Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon.''

During the past 50 years, these wrecks remained undisturbed on the bottom of the lagoon. A combination of unusually warm tropical water, prolific marine life and lagoon currents have served as a natural incubator - transforming these lifeless hulks into magnificently beautiful artificial reefs. Some of these shipwrecks have greater concentrations of soft corals, hard corals, sponges and marine life than the neighboring coral reefs. These wrecks are truly the most beautiful in the world.

While other Pacific Islands offer great concentrations of historic worls War II shipwrecks, none can match the marine life that grows on Truk's flowering wrecks. It is this stellar beauty that sets this lagoon apart.

Plane Wrecks of Truk Lagoon

Truk Lagoon is by no means limited to just sunken ships. Although the shipwrecks are the main attraction, there are also numerous war planes sitting on the bottom, most are in comparatively shallow depths, abundant with marine life and corals.

Betty Bomber

This twin engine bomber lies upright in 50 feet of water on a sand bottom. She was a Mitsubishi G4M1 attack bomber with the Allied code name "Betty." She is 65 feet long with an 82 foot wingspan.

Emily Flying Boat

A huge four engine seaplane lies upside down on the lagoon bottom in just 50 feet of water. She was a Kawanishi H8K1 naval reconnaissance seaplane. She is 92 feet long with a 125 foot wingspan.
 

Back to top