Famous for its lagoon, Chuuk or “Truk”, is the final resting place of a number of Japanese supply vessels from World War Two. It is considered a real Mecca for wreck dive enthusiasts. Truk Lagoon is truly extraordinary - almost like a lake in the middle of the ocean. This giant lagoon is 38 miles in diameter, filled with numerous islands and reaches depths of 300 feet. Despite its unique topography, it is the contents of Truk Lagoon that make it so incredibly special. However, as some of the dives are extremely deep, it is definitely for the more experienced divers.

Lying at the bottom of the lagoon is the world's largest collection of intact shipwrecks from WW11. No other place on earth has as many wrecks that are so large and well preserved. These ships are 200, 300, 400 and 500 feet in length. They lie on the bottom like toppled skyscrapers, now overgrown with marine life.

To make matters more intriguing, these great ships still contain their wartime cargoes - everything from bullets to bottles. Truk Lagoon's wrecks are not like most wrecks. These are not lifeless hulks, entombed in a crust of corrosion and rust. The warm tropical waters of Truk Lagoon are nutrient rich and constantly stirred by currents. As a result of 49 years of submersion, these wrecks have been transformed into magnificent artificial reefs. Their decks are covered with a festive array of brilliantly coloured soft corals, sponges and other delicate marine life - making these wrecks look like fully decorated undersea Christmas trees. It is among these shipwreck gardens that discover a kaleidoscope of creatures such as Lionfish, clownfish, the giant Map Pufferfish (three feet long) and 100 other species of tropical reef fish. More than 50 warships are known to have sunk in Truk Lagoon and not all have been found. Of the 35 shipwrecks that have been charted and explored, two dozen are dived regularly.

Each wreck has its own personality and contains its own treasure of cargo. One could devote a lifetime to diving these wrecks and still not see all they have to offer. Diving these ships can become a passion and many divers come back year after year to see new ships and revisit their favourites.

Shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon :

Fujikawa Maru: This is Truk Lagoon's best known shipwreck. This 437 foot Japanese freighter served as an aircraft ferry, transporting new fighter planes and ammunition to outlying Pacific bases. She sits upright on the seafloor with her upper decks draped in large soft corals and inhibited by exotic marine life. A family of Lionfish live in the stern and there are a number of Carpet Anemones on her deck, complete with small families of clownfish. Her cargo holds contain Zero fighter fuselages, wings, propeller blades, aircraft machine guns, machine gun bullets and saki bottles.

Shinkoku Maru: Truk Lagoon's second largest and most beautiful wreck is a 500 foot Japanese tanker that now sits upright on the seafloor, with her foreward deck and wheelhouse completely covered with giant soft coral trees in brilliant hues of red, pink, yellow and white. The ship is completely intact, with several engine telegraphs standing upright in the bridge area. The bow of this vessel is often obscured by clouds of tropical fish.

Sankisan Maru: Originally a 380 foot long medium sized freighter, she was fully loaded with ammunition at the time of her sinking. Apparently a bomb or torpedo ignited some of the cargo, blowing out the mid section of this ship. The forward one-third of the wreck remains intact and sits upright in 80 feet of water. The Sankisan is a beautiful wreck, as the forward mast and deck area are totally overgrown with a magnificent array of soft corals. Several military trucks are lashed to the foreward deck of this vessel and several more can be found in one of the cargo holds. The forward cargo old still contains wooden cases of machine gun bullets, rifle bullets and depth charge detonators.

Fumitsuki: This 320 foot Japanese destroyer was discovered in 130 feet of water, sitting upright with a list to port. Her bow gun is still intact on the foreward deck and there is a torpedo launcher mounted just aft of this gun. Other armament on this vessel includes anti-aircraft guns and another deck gun near the stern.

Nippo Maru: Regarded as Truk Lagoon's most impressive wreck, this ship is a deeper dive and requires careful planning. This 353 foot cargo vessel lies in 140 feet of water, with a 30 degree list to port. Diving is limited to her decks and bridge area. It is 80 feet to the bow, 90 feet to the bridge and the slanted decks range from 100 to 130 feet. Lashed to her slanting decks are a Japanese medium tank and three field artillery cannons mounted on wagon wheels. The ship is loaded with war materials and artifacts, including naval binoculars, hemispherical mines, an engine telegraph, artillery shells and dozens of other items.

Yamagiri Maru: This large, six hold freighter is 439 feet long. She is lying on her port side in 120 feet of water. Diving depths range from 50 to 100 feet. The great ship was carrying a cargo of war materials, including 18 inch diameter artillery shells for the world's largest battleship, the Musashi. Her number four hold contains 30 to 40 of these giant bullets - each one four feet long and weighing 3,200 pounds.

Rio de Janeiro Maru: This 461 foot long wreck was once a transoceanic passenger liner. She was converted to a submarine tender early in the war and then reconverted to a troop transport. The giant ship lies on her starboard side in 110 feet of water. Diving depths range from 40 feet on her port side to 120 feet under her stern. The ship has two giant, four bladed propellers and a six inch deck gun mounted on the stern.

Kensho Maru: This medium size freighter is 384 feet long. She sits upright in 130 feet with a slight list to port. Diving depths range from 25 feet at the mast to 90 in the cargo holds. The Kensho is loaded with war artifacts, including a ship's compass, engine telegraph, pair of navy binoculars, porcelain bowls, saki bottles and china dishes.

Heian Maru: Originally a passenger liner, this 530 foot long vessel was converted to a submarine tender and used as headquarters for the Japanese Sixth Submarine Fleet. She is lying on her port side in 110 feet of water. Diving depths range from 40 to 90 feet. Points of interest include the name on her bow, submarine periscopes, two giant four blade propellers and torpedo warheads.

Seiko Maru: This large, five hold freighter lies in deep water but contains some interesting war artifacts. The 395 foot long cargo ship sits upright in 160 feet of water. Diving depths are 30 feet to the top of the forward mast, 95 feet to the top of the bridge and 120 feet to the deck. She has an army field artillery piece, with wooden spoke wheels, lashed to the forward bow deck. A spare propeller is strapped against the deckhouse. Two engine telegraphs are mounted on the flying bridge, along with a rudder stand. The ship's compass, in its carrying case, is in the cabin below the bridge and many of the bridge compartments contain shoes, bottles and uniforms.

Hino Maru No. 2: This small, two hold freighter is ideal for snorkelling or a shallow scuba dive. Two hundred feet long, this vessel sits upright with her bow toward shore. Diving depths range from 20 feet at the foredeck to70 in the stern area. A bow gun on her forward deck is just three to four feet under the surface, making it an easy subject for underwater photos.