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07
The transition from dark to light is almost blinding.
On the decks the profusion of marine life is incredibly intense. Soft corals, sea whips and gorgonians grow in mindblowing abundance and every hue imaginable. Huge schools of multicoloured fish swarm
05 Only fish now live inside the atmospheric G4M Betty bomber
06 Sunrise over Truk Lagoon and the island of Tonoas
07 Beauty above and below: Surface interval in a tropical paradise
around the big stern gun, oblivious to its previous deadly purpose. If one can peel one’ s eyes away from all this dazzling activity, they will often find turtles resting on the deck, along with plenty of giant pufferfish being cleaned. There is so much to see both inside and outside the Shinkoku Maru one could dive it twice a day for a week and still find something new and amazing.
Experiencing the wrecks of Truk Lagoon is an adventure that every diver will remember for a lifetime. The contrasts in light and dark, beauty and violence, tranquility and adrenaline rush leave visitors almost dizzy when they head home. Diving in the lagoon is something that divers connect with on a visceral level like few other places on Earth. So, if you want something more than a“ normal” dive trip, board that flight to Chuuk and prepare to return a changed person. SDOP
TRUK LAGOON
WENO
PRACTICALITIES
WHEN Chuuk is an year-round destination – in mid-ocean, seven degrees north of the equator and clear of continental monsoons and most tropical typhoons. Daily temperatures are 25 – 31 o C. Stronger breezes blow from December – April and the calmest conditions are from May – November.
HOW There is a United Airlines hopper flight from Guam on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Keep your eyes open for a new hopper service starting up with Air Naaru from Brisbane.
STAY / DIVE
• Blue Lagoon Resort www. bluelagoondiveresort. com
• Odyssey Adventures www. trukodyssey. com
TOPSIDE Truk Lagoon really is all about the diving and the wrecks, or snorkelling between dives. The topside views are stunning with turquoise lagoon and white sand vistas.
ENTRY The Federated States of Micronesia require that visitors have a valid passport from their home country. US citizens only need a proof of citizenship, but non-US travellers will need a valid visa for the US as Guam is US territory. This may change so please check before travelling.
IMPORTANT The currency is USD and credit cards are not widely used except at resorts. There are no ATMs in Chuuk and currency exchange is challenging. Bring plenty of US dollars, or use one of several ATMs or currency exchanges in Guam airport.