DIVING AT TRUK LAGOON by Andrew Falconer

DIVING AT TRUK LAGOON by Andrew Falconer

Truk (or Chuuk) Lagoon is a tiny landmass in the Pacific Ocean, just north of the equator and is part of the Federated States of Micronesia. During the Second World War it was a supply base for the Japanese as they spread out across the Pacific as it provided an ideal sheltered harbor for them. In 1944 as the tide of war turned against them, the Americans carried out a surprise attack over several days, which sunk about 90 Japanese ships, mostly armed merchantmen.

As a result Truk Lagoon is a wreck diving location like no other……

Location of Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon in the Pacific Ocean in relation to SE Asia and Australia

Getting to Truk is not easy and is expensive. In 2004 I flew from Cairns to Guam (overnight) and then on to Truk with Continental Airlines. In 2017, it appears that there are no direct flights from Cairns (or anywhere else in Australia) to Guam. There are two options for diving at Truk: liveaboard or land based resort. The former is expensive, but is more convenient as the ship can provide close access to the wrecks, avoiding lengthy to and from boat rides. In 2004 I dived from the Thorfinn, a converted icebreaker, which has been at Truk Lagoon for many years and is still there. Thorfinn is large, roomy and is still powered by steam driven pistons! The ship itself does not move much, remaining anchored in the vicinity of most of the wrecks, with RIBs to access the dive sites. The wrecks range in depth from the surface to plus 50metres. There are about 25 wrecks that are commonly dived. On Thorfinn you can dive up to five per day, although for me three was enough.