Chuuk Lagoon
Federated States of Micronesia · Chuuk
Chuuk Lagoon (Truk) holds the largest concentration of WWII shipwrecks on Earth — 60+ Japanese vessels and aircraft sunk in Operation Hailstone in 1944, now coral encrusted and intact. It's the world's premier recreational wreck destination.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
WWII Japanese fleet with extensive coral growth on the wrecks. Lagoon conditions remain stable.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · MERMAID and partner coral surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
9 species across the dive sites here
Micronesian Myzomela
Seen 13 days ago
at Fujikawa Maru
Least concern
Pacific Golden-Plover
Seen 13 days ago
at Fujikawa Maru
Least concern
Lionfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Fujikawa Maru
Least concern
Glassfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Heian Maru
Least concern
Whitetip reef shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Shinkoku Maru
Vulnerable
Batfish
Seen Feb 2025
at Heian Maru
Least concern
Grey reef shark
Seen year round
at San Francisco Maru
Endangered
Bluefin Trevally
Rare sighting
at Fujikawa Maru
Least concern
Peacock Damsel
Rare sighting
at Fujikawa Maru
Least concern
Dive sites
Fujikawa Maru
glassfish · lionfish · whitetip reef shark · peacock damsel
Shinkoku Maru
whitetip reef shark · glassfish · lionfish · peacock damsel
San Francisco Maru
whitetip reef shark · grey reef shark · lionfish · peacock damsel
Heian Maru
glassfish · lionfish · batfish · whitetip reef shark
Nippo Maru
glassfish · lionfish · batfish · whitetip reef shark
Yamagiri Maru
glassfish · lionfish · batfish · whitetip reef shark
What divers say
Swimming through the engine room of the Fujikawa Maru is like time travel with a regulator in your mouth.
Good to know
Respect the war graves
Many wrecks contain human remains. No artifact removal.