Top Ten Wrecks
Shinkoko
Maru
Location: North of Param
Depth Range: 40-130ft (12-40m)
This ship is, without a doubt, one of the most popular
and beautiful wrecks in the lagoon. It is one ship everyone should see, as
it has just about everything the wreck diver hopes for: artifacts, great coral
growth, excellent fish life and a manageable diving range. The Shinkoku Maru
is a large freighter about 500ft-long, so plan at least two dives to see it
properly.
Fujikawa
Maru
Location: Southwest of Eten
Depth Range: 30-110ft (9-34m)
The Fuji sits upright now. Its stack starts at 20ft and its rear mast is visible
from the surface. The holds are interesting and contain everything from shells,
machine guns and airplane wings in the first hold, to an entire Zero fuselage
and goodly portions of others in the second hold.
Yamagiri
Maru
Location: Northwest of Fefan
Depth Range: 50-110ft (15-34m)
Heavy coral growth decorates the stern, including a hot pink anemone, large
barrel sponges and lots of cyan tube sponges. The Yamagiri rests on its port
side and has a small gun on its forecastle. Most divers head for is hold five,
where the large shells are located. They are impressively long, perhaps a
yard in length, and tumbled together. If you’re photographing them, its
pays to get in first as silt kicks up easily. The depth here is 100ft.
Sankisan
Maru
Location: Near southwest Uman
Depth Range: 2-90ft (1-27m)
The first hold still stores scores of bullets. The ammo lies in heaps, boxes
and spread out in clips. Some boxes also hold detonator caps. The ammo was
in boxes, but fierce typhoon waves shook the ship a few years ago, collapsing
the fragile wooden boxes and damaging some of the coral and structures around
the bow deck.
Rio
de Janiero Maru
Location: East Uman Island
Depth Range: 45-121ft (14-37m)
The bridge, along with the rest of the superstructure, is large and dark.
It is easy to get lost in here. Local guides have brought out items of interest
including some beautiful bowls and plates adorned with Japanese designs. Also,
look for the pair of bannerfish that lives along the passageway.
Nippo
Maru
Location: East of Tonoas
Depth Range: 60-145ft+ (18-44m+)
The Nippo was a water carrier, but it also transported wheeled artillery guns
and tanks. Near the guns, local guides have positioned a pair of deer antlers,
some cups and some plates—items found inside the ship’s galley and
in various quarters.
Heian
Maru
Location: North Tonoas Island
Depth Range: 40-105ft (12-32m)
This ship was made famous by Jacques Cousteau when his divers showed the ship’s
English and Japanese names still intact and readable on the bow. The Heian
carried supplies for Japanese submarines, and periscopes line the upper passageway.
Kiyozumi
Maru
Location: North of Fefan
Depth Range: 40-105ft (12-32m)
The engine room is wide-open but dark, so bring a light. The catwalks and
huge engine cylinders are all clearly visible. The next hold down is the quickest
way to get from one side of Kiyozumi to the next, as there is a massive torpedo
hole that opens to the sea. It is overgrown with sea whips and black corals.
Kansho
Maru
Location: Near Fefan Island
Depth Range: 25-130ft (8-40m)
Many of the artifacts are still intact on the Kansho. Various rooms feature
items like high-power binoculars, a sextant and deer antlers. Bottles and
plates are also common. You can see remnants of medical tables, or possibly
beds, inside one of the bridge decks.
San
Francisco Maru
Location: Chuuk Lagoon
Depth Range: 130-190ft (40-58m)
The San Francisco Maru is one of the best wrecks in Chuuk in terms of the
well-preserved large war relics on its deck and in its holds.Tanks rest on
the main deck at the forward part of the ship—one on the port side and
two to starboard. The forward hold contains mines.