Diving at Truk Lagoon
Truk Lagoon (also known as Chuuk Lagoon) is situated within the territories of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The FSM is a federated nation which is composed of a number of islands in the Pacific Ocean north of Papua New Guinea. Truk Lagoon itself covers an area of more than 40 miles in diameter and descends to 300 feet.
Why is Truk Lagoon of Interest to Divers?
Truk Lagoon is of particular interest to divers as it is the final resting place for over 300 planes, submarines and ships. As a result Truk Lagoon is one of the best regions for wreck diving on Earth.
The History of Truk Lagoon
In WWII, Truk Lagoon was used by the Japanese as a base for a formidable naval fleet. The geography and geology of Truk Lagoon made it an ideal place to anchor such a fleet but of course its use drew attention from the U.S. military.
On 17th February 1944, the U.S. Navy mounted a surprise 3-day attack against the Japanese ships anchored at Truk lagoon. Around 400 tons of and torpedoes and bombs were used over the course of the attack, which resulted in the sinking of around 60 ships, from minesweepers and tugs to full blown battleships. The ships anchored at Truk Lagoon also counted aircraft carriers, so also as a result of Operation Hailstone over 250 Japanese planes were sent to the depths. The human cost too was great: some estimates state that around 2,000 Japanese troops met their deaths at Truk Lagoon during the attacks.
Truk Lagoon Today
The wrecks at Truk Lagoon have remained untouched for the most part since February 1944. As a result (and combined with clear waters and good accessibility), Truk Lagoon’s wrecks offer divers unique opportunities to visit a beautiful if rather sombre underwater landscape. For the most part, diving at Truk Lagoon will give you high visibility, current free dives where you can see very well preserved wrecks encrusted with brightly colored soft corals, sea fans, anemones and sponges. Divers at Truk Lagoon will also likely encounter large numbers of batfish, jacks, grouper and tuna as well as numerous species of shark such as black tips, white tips, grey reef sharks, leopard sharks hammerheads and whale sharks.
Diving at Truk Lagoon
It should always be remembered that this is the final resting place for many Japanese troops and so it is that many wrecks are home to the skeletons of some of those who perished. Truk Lagoon is really an underwater museum and should be treated as such. Consequently, divers are prohibited by Micronesian law from removing anything (artifacts or marine life) from Truk Lagoon and harsh penalties are meted out for trangressors.
If you wish to dive at Truk Lagoon you will need a “Chuuk Dive Permit”, which will likely be acquired for you by your dive operator. Diving equipment too can be hired locally if required.
Non-divers too have the chance to visit some of the wrecks which lie in shallower waters: some of Truk’s wrecks provide excellent snorkelling opportunities.
Truk Lagoon Diving Summary
Truk Lagoon has plenty to offer wreck diving experts and first timers alike.
Many of the wrecks are accessible for recreational divers (although there are several good wrecks located beyond the 30 meter mark for those divers that are trained to dive beyond recommended recreational diver limits).
Truk Lagoon has to be the single best location for wreck diving in the world due to the sheer number of wrecks in relative proximity, their state of preservation, the marine life they attract and the clarity and stillness of the lagoon’s water.
Truk Lagoon is one of THE places that all divers should strive to visit in their lifetime.
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