The intensive bombardment of Truk Lagoon resulted in around 50 wrecks, with more yet to be discovered. Historians call the attack America’s answer to Pearl Harbor but divers know Truk better as the Lagoon of Lost Ships and the home of world-class wreck diving.
The Dirty Dozen trips explore the lesser visited wrecks in Truk Lagoon and the absolute classics. Our itineraries are flexible and designed for the divers on board. Join us for a one-of-a-kind diving experience with a team that understands wreck diving and the thirst for exploration.
Here are a few of the wrecks that we think showcase the best technical diving in Truk Lagoon:
Aikoku Maru
A massive explosion completely destroyed the front of this 10,000-ton special transport vessel and led to the ship sinking in just two minutes. More than one thousand people were killed instantly. The stern sits upright and the anti-aircraft guns still point skywards, in the position they were fired from moments before the ship sank. On the upper deck, memorial plaques commemorate those who lost their lives.
Amagisan Maru
The Amagisan was a large passenger and cargo vessel that now sits upright on the seabed, listing sharply to port. The sea floor under the Amagisan slopes away toward the stern, leaving it much deeper than the bow. Interesting guns can be found on both the bow and stern gun platforms. The forward holds contain a car, bicycles, aircraft parts, and hundreds of 55-gallon fuel drums. There is a tanker truck lying on the seabed next to the vessel.
FujiSan MAru
The Fujisan was a large Japanese tanker that now rests upright on the seabed. She lists 45-degrees to port with the bow sitting around 10m/33ft deeper than the stern. The main superstructure is readily accessible. Extensive bomb damage is evident around the stern.
Nagano Maru
Hidden down in the hold of this cargo ship is an unusual tracked truck, a bulldozer, a second truck, large construction equipment, and trailers. China can be found in holds and in the superstructure. There’s also an interesting engine room which can be accessed from numerous entry points.
IJN Oite
The IJN Destroyer Oite was split into two sections by the torpedo that sunk her while she was returning to Truk with the survivors from the Agano sinking. The bow section came to rest upside down while the stern section sits upright. On the deck, you can find a 4.7-inch dual-purpose gun, anti-aircraft guns, and depth charges. Torpedo launchers rest on the sand nearby with the torpedoes still loaded inside. It’s possible to penetrate the engine room but access is tight. Inside the bow section, the crew areas and the galley are accessible.
San Fransisco Maru
No doubt the most famous deep dive in the lagoon, the San Francisco is often referred to as the million-dollar wreck due to the estimated value of the cargo found on board. Sat on the deck at 49m/161ft are three Japanese battle tanks while on the tween deck of the second hold, there are two tanker trucks. Hemispherical mines can be found inside the first hold along with aerial bombs, boxes of cordite, shell casings, and detonators. Sat on a platform at the bow is an impressive gun. The engine room is accessible through the skylights which then give easy access to rear holds full of ammunition, torpedoes, and depth charges.
Shotan Maru
The Shotan was one of the few ships underway when it was attacked in the lagoon. A large portable generator and the damaged remains of trucks can be found inside the forward holds along with various munitions, bottles, and china. On top of the main superstructure, anti-aircraft guns have fallen through the top deck and now rest one deck down. The engine room, which is in good condition, is accessible from inside the superstructure as the skylights are closed. The aft holds are heavily damaged because the ship was almost split in two by the bomb that caused her demise. On the stern, a gun sits on its platform.
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