Micronesia - Truk Lagoon- Dive Travel

| Truk Lagoon | Scuba Diving in Truk Lagono | Micronesia Travel Tips | Booking Forms | Accomodation list |

Micronesia is another name for “small islands”; although these islands are small they are filled with an abundance of beauty and steeped in history. Micronesia is situated 5, 150km southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Micronesia encompasses over 4.8 million kilometres of the pacific and includes around 2000 islands. The huge amount of islands comes from a result of volcanic activity which happened millions of years ago, however because of this, we get to enjoy the beautiful islands that are overpowering in their beauty. Calm lagoons, astonishing cliff faces, tropical jungle and of course, everlasting sunshine.

The most well-known islands of the Micronesia area are; the Marianas, Pohnpei, Yap, Truk, the Marshall Islands, the republic of Palau, Guam and Kosrae. Although there are many varied islands in Micronesia, none of them conform to a synchronised culture and instead, visitors find that each island group have their own customs and traditions, including language, history and culture.

Micronesia is a self-governed territory, with a population of 160, 000. The largest and most populated of all the islands is Guam, and is generally the gateway to Micronesia. English is spoken in Micronesia as well as local languages which are indigenous to the area such as Paluan, Chuukese, Marshallese, and Yapese.

When you visit Micronesia you are experiencing a richly diverse culture and experiencing a way of life, with local markets, and local custom. However for the traveller looking for more of a luxurious trip there is no shortage of upmarket resorts and lavish accommodation. Areas of Guam and Saipan are best for this.

Activities: Micronesia is world renowned for its scuba diving; the marine life is unbeatable as is the abundance of World War 2 ship wrecks and memorabilia. Whether you want to spend most of your time underwater, or kayaking around on the surface, there are many tourist guides who can help you organise your activities. Your hotel or resort will help you with any activity you wish to partake in, and in Truk Lagoon, there is no shortage of them!

Truk Lagoon
Truk Lagoon has been declared an underwater museum, and it’s easy to see why. During the Second World War ships, planes, submarines and war equipment were all lost in this giant lagoon. Truk Lagoon can be found in the Caroline Islands and this fascinating history makes it a must see. However, it should be remembered that taking anything from the dive sites is strictly prohibited according to law.

You would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world where you can dive so many wrecks in one place. These pieces of history represent one of the greatest losses in naval history. The carnage of trucks, tanks, airplanes, ships, bombs lie in this tranquil lagoon now housing some of the world’s most beautiful marine and coral life.

If you feel like a walk, the best views of the lagoon are said to be from the old Sapuk lighthouse, which was constructed during the occupation of the Japanese. Other activities include exploring small islands, fishing with some of the locals, kayaking or reading a book on the beach.

Scuba Diving in Truk Lagoon

Diver’s flock to Truk as it is known around the world that diving doesn’t get much better than this. The beauty of the diving in Truk is that it caters to both beginner and experienced divers. The lagoon is a calm, tranquil lagoon which provides a safe haven for diving. For divers that want to get as much diving done as possible, there are many live aboard dive vessels in Truk that frequent the popular dives sites. 

Some of the most popular wrecks in Truk are:

Fujikawa Maru: One of the most interesting dives in Truk, the Fujikawa Maru was a 132 metre long armed aircraft ferry which has a lot of area to explore. The depth to the deck is only 15 metres.

Submarine 1-169: The submarine 1-169 is at the bottom of the lagoon lying on its port side in about 38 meters of water. During the war, the submarine went beneath the surface in order to avoid attack, however, the valves weren’t closed correctly and as a result, the submarine sank to the depths of the Truk lagoon.

Shinkoku Maru: The Shinkoku Maru is one of the most spectacular and aesthetic scuba dives. Because the vessel is so well preserved, it is very interesting to explore and it caters to inexperienced divers as the top of the ship sits in 12 metres of water however it extends down to 38 metres.

Susuki Maru: An old World War II destroyer lies at the bottom of the lagoon in tranquil beauty. Amongst the marine and coral life, lies propellers, gas marks and gauges scattered on the ocean floor. With the depth of the dive going from 3 metres to 15 metres, this site caters to beginner divers.

Rio de Janeiro Maru: The Rio de Janeiro Maru is lying at the bottom of the lagoon on its starboard side with the deck only 15 metres below the surface. This ship holds interesting relics of the past such as beer bottles, gun and assorted military supplies. Once a luxury passenger line, this site provides a wonderful wreck dive in which to discover with its deck only 15 meters from the surface.

Accommodation List

Blue Lagoon Resort Located on the point of Moen island, the blue lagoon resort has spectacular views of the lagoon.
Accommodation: The rooms are all tropically themed and the main feature is the natural beauty. If that isn’t enough then each room is air-conditioned and have private bathrooms. Amenities: The hotel is close to the local dive operator, blue lagoon dive centre which can help you plan for any dive. There is also a world class restaurant and coffee shop on the resort grounds. Activities: Scuba diving is the main attraction for this island and the resort is well catered for it. However, it is not the only activity and people are encouraged to tour the historical and cultural sites of the island as well as go for a canoe or a fishing trip.
Truk Stop Hotel In the very central location of Truk Lagoon, the Truk stop hotel was designed to cater for the keen scuba diver, and leisure traveller.
Accommodation: There are 23 rooms at the Truk stop hotel, 13 of these being standard rooms, 6 are ocean view, 2 executive suits and 2 presidential suites. They are all air conditioned and selected rooms have a private balcony which provides a beautiful view of the lagoon. Amenities: Outdoor dining is a must in Truk Lagoon, and Truk Lagoons hotel caters to this with the patio bar, an outdoor eating café with an extensive menu as well as brilliant views. Activities: There is a lot of island sightseeing to be done and the staff at the Truk hotel are more than happy to help. Walking down to the towns markets is an adventure in itself with the friendly locals and thriving market place. There is a car rental service for those who want to take the reins themselves.

Micronesia Travel Tips

Entry & Visa Requirements (subject to change)
IF your stay in Guam is less than 15 days, your stay in FSM less than 30 days and Palau less than 90 days then Australian passport holders do not need to obtain a visa. US immigration recommends you log onto ESTA the immigration website and complete an online application form (https:esta.cbp.dhs.gov).

Medical & Health Requirements
There are no serious health risks in Micronesia, however we do recommend to keep your skin protected, and beware of medication that could make you extra sun sensitive. Also, there are recompression chambers in Guam, Palau, Chuuk, Yap and Pohnpei.

Currency
Guam and Micronesia operate on the US dollar. Most international credit cards are accepted throughout Micronesia.

Duty Free
Guam and Palau allow 200 cigarettes and 1.136 litres of alcohol. The allowance in FSM is 600 cigarettes and 2 litres of alcohol. However do remember that if you are in transit in Guam you are not permitted to carry duty free items to the outer islands.

Weather
Average temperatures in Micronesia reach 27 degrees with the lowest amount of rain occurring between January to March.

Clothing
Swimwear is discouraged around the public areas of the hotel. Light cotton clothing is best for these tropical temperatures, and is best to prevent mosquito bites, and sun damage.

Electricity
Same plug as the USA 110-120 volts Plug A and B

Banking  
Australian dollar travellers cheques are strongly advised again as it can be difficult cashing them in. The opening hours of most banks are 8am to 12 pm and then an hours break for siesta and 1pm to 5pm weekdays, and closed on weekends.

Language
Micronesia is predominantly English speaking due to the US influence, however there are indigenous people who speak a native language and the older population of the island are more than likely fluent in Japanese.  

Religion
The dominant religion is Roman Catholic however there are traditional ceremonies and customs depending on what island you go to.

Water
It is advised to always drink bottled water; however it is fairly safe to drink the water provided to you by major hotels and resorts. We recommend drinking as much water as possible to avoid dehydration.

Tipping
In following the US custom, tipping is apart of the Micronesian culture especially in hospitality where tipping in restaurants, hotels and the baggage porter is considered the norm. However in FSM tipping is discouraged and not expected.

Diving
Micronesia is a haven for divers therefore many of the tourists in this part of the world are here to snorkel or scuba dive. The flora and fauna of Micronesia make this destination of the worlds leading. The temperature of the water averages around 29 degrees, so a 3mm suit is recommended. In Chuuk, you will need to purchase a diving permit which costs USD30, Palau charges a small fee to help their conservation program and Koror state, Rock island and jellyfish lake permit is valid for 10 days and costs 30 dollars. One of the many dive operators will supply you with tanks, and weight belts however if extra equipment is needed, you will expect to pay a fee.

Departure Tax
This varies depending on what island you are on. In Chuuk it is USD20, Palau is USD35, and Kosrae and Pohnpei is USD17. No departure tax is required for Guam and Yap.