Liveaboard Diving in Truk Lagoon
What to expect on a Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon Liveaboard
Liveaboard diving in Truk (or Chuuk) lagoon is perfect for wreck lovers. Chuuk is a state within the Federation of Micronesia, and Truk (or Chuuk) lagoon is a lagoon located here which has a lot of history in it. In World War II this lagoon was used as a Japanese naval base, but then in 1944 the United States attacked the lagoon during "operation hailstone." During this attack, more than 60 ships were sunk and more than 200 airplanes went down. About 70 years later this has become an opportunity for more than 48 wreck dive sites to be created. The waters here are deep, down to 100m (330ft), and filled with many historical war artifacts. This is definitely a mecca for wreck divers, and for the large majority, you will need to be a more advanced diver to dive here. The water is at quite a temperate temperature throughout the year, between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius (78-86 degrees Fahrenheit). The wrecks lay between 18m (60ft) and 40m (150ft). Just as most of the Micronesia area, the dry season which runs from December to April is the best time to go, even though you can dive there all year round. It would be even more beneficial for you to be a Nitrox diver, then you can explore even more whilst on your Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon liveaboard.
What You Can See
Liveaboards to Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon will have countless wrecks to choose from. The Truk lagoon was once referred to as the "Ghost fleet of Truk lagoon" as many thought the souls of the 3000 people who died here were haunting the area and it definitely adds to the eerie but impressive feeling of the dives. Along with the wrecks themselves, many of their cargo holds were completely filled, so you will see things ranging from tanks to bulldozers, motorcycles, boxes of ammunition, weapons, and even smaller things such as cutlery and other personal belongings. After so many years of being submerged, they have all created their own little marine ecosystems with sponges and corals growing left, right, and center. You will not be the only ones swimming around this area as Grey reef sharks are often spotted here. Along with them, multiple other marine species are spotted from time to time including stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, jellyfish, and schools of colorful, tropical fish.
Getting To Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon
Chuuk is located in the Caroline Islands within the Federation of Micronesia, and the capital city of the state of Chuuk is Weno where a third of the entire Chuuk state population lives. Weno has an international airport called Chuuk International Airport. There are only three airlines that fly to Chuuk, with the main route being via Guam from Honolulu with United Airlines. They are not multiple flights a day so you definitely need to check flights so you are not stopping over in Guam for lengthy layovers. Once in Weno, our Micronesia liveaboards offer itineraries which will also spend some days in the area, and then you can visit many of the sites. But please do remember to check any requirements for a liveaboard trip.
