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Diving Truk Lagoon and the Iconic Ghost Fleet

By Chase Sheldon

Over 50 shipwrecks and the debris of more than 400 aircraft litter the ocean floor of Chuuk Lagoon, but the crystal clear, and more importantly, calm waters have changed this site of disaster into an environmental wonder. Nature has reclaimed much of the area, though you can still see much of the steel and metal that made up a large part of the naval and air forces of the Japanese Empire still there. You can dive through these very same ships, explore the pathways and tunnels that before were manned by soldiers and navy men. Now soft coral climbs the walls and algae and kelps reach toward the sun, anchored to the ships and planes that lie abandoned in these clear waters. Schools of small fish make their home among the ins and outs of this new man-made reef, and there are wrecks ranging from yards below the surface to more than one hundred and fifty feet down into the depths.

To learn more about diving in Micronesia

 

The plethora of wrecks and diving spots that lie within the lagoon allow for a great width and breadth of options when it comes to divers, for those who are very experienced to those who are still new to the activity. The shallow wrecks allow for a lot of fun without leaving the light, and the deeper dives are great for technical divers to test themselves and their skills. The seventy years that have taken their toll on the ship wrecks, covering them in a deep blanket of rust, algae, and corals that adds a layer of mystery and poignancy to the dives. There are many different types of dives in the world, and all of them evoke feelings of awe, powerlessness before the ocean’s might, or reverence of the beauty of the sea, but few of them have the history and the gravitas that Chuuk Lagoon holds.

Chuuk Lagoon may be one of the most well-known dive locations of Micronesia, but it is far from the only one that can be experienced on this chain of island states. You can travel to Palau to enjoy the coral reef that surrounds the island. One particular spot of this reef, the Blue Corner, has numerous species of sharks, multitudes of fishes, and beautiful corals that can take your breath away. Be sure to be well-versed in using a reef hook when you slip beneath the waves, as the variable currents can wash away the unready, and unsuspecting. If you are more interested in ecological dives and environmental venues, you should also check out Yap’s Valley of the Rays, where hundreds of Manta Rays glide throughout the waters of this area, and divers can get many chances to dive alongside them.

 

Regardless of your predilections for the different forms of diving, whether you enjoy wreck diving, shark diving, or even more technical dives, there is a site in the waters around Micronesia’s 2100 plus islands that can fill your wants. It’s a perfect place to bring your family to help them experience their first dives, or to bring friends to relive the excitement of years before. Even before all that though, Chuuk Lagoon sits like a silent watch, protecting the area from its watery grave. To learn more, give us a call at 800-330-6611 or send us an email to sales@caradonna.com.

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