Dive Conditions
Chuuk lies within an atoll and it is protected from strong ocean currents. There’s usually no current at all on the wrecks. The water temperature is a consistent 84 to 86 F (29 to 30 C) year-round, and the visibility ranges from 33 to 160 feet (10 to 50 m) on the deeper wrecks. Depth notwithstanding, it’s the easiest diving you’ll ever do.
The diving season in Truk Lagoon lasts year-round as visibility is fairly consistent year-round and rain is intermittent. However, it's important to take note that the rainy season lasts from April to December, and while the dry season lasts from December to April.
The lagoon holds over 60 vessels — ships, merchant and military, various types of aircraft, and a submarine. Most of these are diveable, sitting on the seabed at depths ranging from 49 to 213 feet (15 m to 65 m). Lying in the lagoon for the last 73 years, the wrecks are in varying states of decay due to damaging storms and typhoons and the onslaught of rusting. Divers have also caused degradation with bubbles, bad buoyancy, bad finning and grasping hands. Bridges and funnels have also been destroyed by two of the liveaboards anchoring on the wrecks in stormy weather. Generally speaking, the deeper wrecks have degraded the least, but some of the shallower wrecks are also in remarkable condition.
The San Francisco Maru - It is the most famous wreck because of its 3 tanks with guns on the deck, but it is also very deep, sitting at 170 ft (52 meters). This wreck is only suitable for advanced divers that can see the tanks or technical divers who wish to go deeper. The wreck is not surrounded by a lot of marine life, but it has some amazing war artifacts.
The Fujikawa Maru - Is a favorite wreck to dive for many scuba divers as it is filled with fish and corals. The ship still has a gun perfectly intact and you can easily access the staterooms and baths.
Betty Bomber - A shallow wreck that is great for all levels of divers. The plane used to lit up when fired its guns which gave it the nickname "flying cigar." The wreck lies around 65 feet (19 m) but lost the nose, engines, and wingtip that still can be found around 325 feet (100 m) away from the wreck.
The I-169 "Shinohara" - The sunken submarine that accidentally flooded is now a wonderful dive site. You cannot enter the submarine but diving around is truly spectacular, plus it's a favorite spot for jellyfish and occasionally you can spot some turtles, rays or sharks passing by.