Truck Lagoon

Truk Lagoon (or Chuuk Lagoon to give it its correct name) is best known for its world-class wreck diving and variety of wrecks ranging from supply vessels (Maru) to planes and a submarine, all tightly packed into a coral reef lagoon.

During WWII, the Japanese fleet used Truk Lagoon as one of their main staging points for attacks on the allied forces. In 1944 the American-led “Operation Hailstone” surprised the fleet resulting in the plethora of dive sites which we can see there today. With over 60 wrecks to explore and an abundance of marine life, it’s easy to appreciate why Chuuk is on many scuba divers’ ‘bucket list’ and wreck enthusiasts travel to the area time and time again.

Unlike the wrecks of Bikini Atoll, the majority of the wrecks in Truk Lagoon are relatively shallow, and suitable for recreational and technical scuba divers alike. Find out more in our blog: How deep are the Truk Lagoon wrecks?

Whilst the wrecks themselves are encrusted with a variety of corals, you can still clearly see telegraphs, steering columns and mounted guns and many offer the opportunity to explore engine rooms and holds.

Historical artefacts such as medicine bottles, gas masks and other personal effects can still be found at many of the sites along with machinery of war including engines, aircraft wings, tanks, guns and ammunition. Surrounded by a barrier reef, Truk Lagoon has some excellent coral pinnacles and deep channels as well as an abundance of marine life to delight those scuba divers who want see more than just wrecks.