Wreck Diving in Truk Lagoon

Truk Lagoon, the wreck diving capital of the world, also boats some of the most vibrant underwater life that can be imagined

Operation Hailstone

Truk Lagoon is one of the most significant wreck diving destinations in the world, shaped by its wartime history. The wrecks were created during Operation Hailstone, a major World War II attack by the United States Navy on 17–18 February 1944. Truk Lagoon was the main base for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific, serving as a key logistics and operations hub. It housed a large fleet of warships, merchant vessels, submarines, and support ships, along with a well-defended airfield and shore-based facilities. The Japanese fleet stationed there included cruisers, destroyers, aircraft carriers, and cargo ships loaded with military supplies.

The American attack began in the early hours of 17 February 1944, with waves of carrier-based aircraft from Task Force 58 targeting ships, aircraft, and shore installations. Over two days, more than 40 ships and hundreds of aircraft were destroyed. Major losses included the heavy cruiser Naka, the light cruiser Katori, and the destroyer Fumizuki. Several cargo and transport vessels were also sunk, including the San Francisco Maru, which still holds tanks and munitions in its cargo holds, and the Fujikawa Maru, which remains one of the most popular dive sites due to the preserved fighter aircraft in its hold. The Shinkoku Maru, a naval tanker, lies upright and is now covered in coral, making it another favourite scuba diving site.

IOperation Hailstone dealt a critical blow to Japan’s naval and logistical strength in the Pacific. The wrecks of Truk Lagoon now serve as both historical monuments and artificial reefs, attracting marine life and divers from around the world. The combination of military history, preserved wreckage, and thriving underwater ecosystems makes the scuba diving in Truk Lagoon one of the most extraordinary dive vacation destinations.

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The MV Odyssey

The MV Odyssey, offers one of the best ways to explore the wrecks of Truk Lagoon. The ship has spacious rooms with private bathrooms, a large entertainment lounge, and all meals, drinks, and nitrox included. With a maximum of 16 guests, it’s easy to get to know your fellow divers.

The Odyssey has nine large staterooms, all with private air conditioning controls, windows or large portholes, and ensuite toilet, shower, and sink. Seven of the staterooms can accommodate two single travellers in twin beds or a couple in a king-sized bed. Two single staterooms are also available, offering the same features but with a single bed. Each room includes a 32-inch monitor connected to the onboard entertainment system, and rooms are cleaned daily.

Scuba Diving on Diving on the MV Odyssey

A typical day aboard the Odyssey starts with a hot breakfast at 7:00 a.m., followed by a dive briefing at 7:45. You will do two dives before lunch, after which the vessel will often relocate to a new site. In the afternoon, you have the option to dive once or twice. You can also relax on one of the sundecks or snooze in the privacy of your stateroom. Dinner is at around 6:30 p.m. After dinner, you can choose to do a night dive or unwind in the lounge with a film or a review of the day’s footage.

Since most dive sites in Truk Lagoon are relatively close together, moving between them is straightforward. Diving with the Odyssey is flexible — you’re not required to dive with a guided group, so you and your buddy can often explore a wreck on your own. This is particularly valuable for photographers, who can take their time capturing shots without waiting for others to move.

Popular dive sites include the Fujikawa Maru, one of the most famous wrecks in the lagoon. It was a converted aircraft transport ship, and its hold still contains fighter aircraft and munitions. The Fumizuki, a destroyer, rests at an angle on the seabed, with its torpedo tubes and deck guns still visible. The Kensho Maru, a cargo vessel used for submarine repairs, sits upright and features a well-preserved engine room and medical bay. The Nippo Maru, another cargo ship, holds military tanks and artillery pieces on its deck, providing a remarkable glimpse into wartime operations.

A Scuba diving vacation in Truk Lagoon offers a unique mix of history and exploration, and the MV Odyssey provides the most comfortable way of diving these sites.

Getting to Truk Lagoon.

There’s no getting around it — Truk Lagoon is a bit of a pain to get to. You need can fly via the US Island of Guam (best) or you can fly from the US Island of Hawaii (Madness). The best flight connections and prices are via Japan or the Philippines. And once you’ve made it, you’ll find that the aviation facilities haven’t exactly kept pace with the modern world. Weno Airport is, in fact, little more than a former Japanese landing strip, largely unchanged since the US Navy rebuilt it in 1946. It’s all part of the charm — or so we like to tell ourselves.

We strongly advise against flying straight into Truk Lagoon and hopping straight onto the Odyssey. Instead, we recommend a good nights rest in Guan, and a three-day warm-up dive at Blue Lagoon. Those who’ve done this have had a far better experience, managing to explore more wrecks (or revisit their favourites) without feeling like they’ve been through a spin cycle.

In short, getting to Truk Lagoon isn’t the easiest, but once you’re there, the diving more than makes up for it.

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Tech Diving in Truk Lagoon - Its all easy to arrange

A mixture of highly experienced deeper technical trained divers and recreational divers is not a problem to the Odyssey team, as they deal with this on a regular basis.

For technical divers on board, the Odyssey can provide double tanks and stages (80/30cft) . Oxygen for deco mixes up to 100%, is available at $2 per cubic foot of O2 used in making the fill. Tri-mix is available in two pre-mixed blends. The cost for 21/36 Trimix is $1.50 per cubic foot and for 10/50 Trimix the cost is $2.00 per cubic foot. Sofnolime and rebreather diluent cylinders are available.

Scuba Diving Tours Truk Lagoon - Rates:

We believe in keeping things straightforward — no sneaky fees or surprise charges. Unless something drastic changes, the prices are exactly what you’ll pay. Half board at Blue Lagoon is included because, frankly, it just makes life easier. If you fancy extending your Blue Lagoon dive stay to six days, that’s easily arranged. Blue Lagoon also offers full technical diving support, though this will need to be quoted separately.

A WEEK ON THE MV ODYSSEY LIVEABOARD

TRUK LAGOON LIVEABOARD - 7 NIGHTS TRUK ODYSSEY

US$4200 All inclusive, including taxes,  transfers, 30% nitrox and cylinders of your choice.

 Not included: International flights/domestic flights, sofnolime/ helium/02/ visas, equipment rental, travel insurance (mandatory), dive insurance (mandatory), tips,  gratuities, items of a personal nature,  any item not mentioned above in the ‘included’ paragraph. 

 

BLUE LAGOON WARMUP BEFORE BOARDING

3 NIGHTS HALF BOARD 3 DAYS DIVING x 2 Tanks Airport Transfers

Approx US$ 995 per person, sharing. (dependent upon group size)

Including: Half board, including transfers, breakfast, dinner, taxes, 2 dives per day (air).

Not included: International flights/domestic flights, Nitrox, large tanks / twin tanks/ technical rebreather diver support/ helium/other gas / visas, equipment rental, alcoholic drinks, travel insurance (mandatory), dive insurance (mandatory), tips,  gratuities, items of a personal nature, any item not mentioned above in the ‘included’ paragraph.