Chuuk Lagoon:The Ghost Fleet
On 17 and 18 February 1944, Operation Hailstone sank more than 60 ships and aircraft in Truk Lagoon. Today they are reefs, war graves and an ongoing environmental risk.
- Documented wrecks
- 38
- High oil risk
- 3
- Deepest
- 58 m
- Years submerged
- 82
Chuuk Lagoon wreck map
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All 38 wrecks
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Showing 38 of 38 wrecks
- High
Rio de Janeiro Maru
Submarine tender, Chuuk
A luxury passenger liner converted to a submarine tender. She sits on her side on a sandy bottom with significant fuel reserves still aboard. Divers found oil leaking from the wreck in September 2025, and she is now the focus of an international oil-removal demonstrator project. Soft corals cover much of the superstructure.
- Depth
- 35 m
- Tonnage
- 9,626 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- High
Kiyosumi Maru
Armed merchant cruiser, Chuuk
Built in 1934 as a passenger cargo liner and converted to an armed merchant cruiser in 1941. She was sunk during Operation Hailstone and lies on her port side, with large torpedo damage visible along the hull. Historical accounts record fuel seeping from the wreck, and she is one of three wrecks currently treated as most at risk of leaking.
- Depth
- 30 m
- Tonnage
- 8,614 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- High
Shinkoku Maru
Oil tanker, Chuuk
A large fleet oiler that also served as a hospital ship. Surgery tables and medical equipment remain in the hospital ward, and significant fuel oil is believed to remain in her tanks. Regarded as one of the highest oil-risk wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon and one of the most historically significant dives in the Pacific.
- Depth
- 36 m
- Tonnage
- 10,020 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Moderate
Hoyo Maru
Oil tanker, Chuuk
A fleet tanker carrying aviation fuel and diesel when she sank. Remaining oil cargo is subject to periodic inspection. Impressive coral formations on the deck structures attract a wide range of reef fish.
- Depth
- 32 m
- Tonnage
- 6,568 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Moderate
I-169 Submarine
Submarine, Chuuk
A Japanese I-class submarine that sank while attempting to dive during the attack. She sits upright with hatches closed, a war grave for the crew still inside. Please treat the site with respect.
- Depth
- 38 m
- Tonnage
- 960 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Moderate
Kensho Maru
Oil tanker, Chuuk
A relatively shallow tanker accessible to Open Water divers. Part of the hull has collapsed. Some oil seepage has been observed during inspections and the site is monitored periodically.
- Depth
- 18 m
- Tonnage
- 2,836 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Moderate
Nippo Maru
Military cargo, Chuuk
A military cargo vessel carrying Type 89 tanks, field artillery and ammunition. The deck gun remains in place and well-preserved equipment is visible throughout the holds.
- Depth
- 38 m
- Tonnage
- 3,764 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Moderate
Ryusei Maru
Oil tanker, Chuuk
A tanker now home to large schools of anthias and resident Napoleon wrasse. Some fuel oil remains in the forward tanks and is monitored by FSM environmental authorities.
- Depth
- 26 m
- Tonnage
- 2,723 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Low
Fujikawa Maru
Aircraft transport, Chuuk
An aircraft transport and one of the most celebrated dives in the Pacific. The holds contain Zero fighter fuselages, engines and parts. The upper decks are blanketed in soft corals, sea fans and anemones.
- Depth
- 32 m
- Tonnage
- 6,938 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Low
Fumitsuki
Destroyer, Chuuk
The only destroyer wreck in Chuuk Lagoon accessible to recreational divers. She lies on her starboard side, with gun turrets and torpedo tube mounts clearly visible.
- Depth
- 34 m
- Tonnage
- 1,315 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Low
Heian Maru
Submarine tender, Chuuk
The largest wreck in Chuuk Lagoon at 163 metres. A former passenger liner turned submarine tender, she still holds submarine bow sections, torpedoes, spare periscopes and crew quarters.
- Depth
- 26 m
- Tonnage
- 11,616 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Low
San Francisco Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A deep military cargo vessel that requires technical diving certification. Three Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks remain on the forward deck, and the holds contain mines, trucks and military equipment.
- Depth
- 58 m
- Tonnage
- 5,831 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- Low
Toa Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A large cargo vessel carrying military stores. Fans and soft corals have colonised the superstructure, and the holds contain scattered equipment and provisions.
- Depth
- 33 m
- Tonnage
- 7,062 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Aikoku Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
This vessel suffered a catastrophic internal explosion during the attack, killing hundreds of crew instantly. Fragments are scattered across a wide area of seafloor. A sobering war memorial that requires advanced certification.
- Depth
- 48 m
- Tonnage
- 10,438 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Amagisan Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo vessel lying upright with intact masts rising toward the surface. A large resident barracuda patrols the site. The deeper holds require careful planning.
- Depth
- 35 m
- Tonnage
- 7,620 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Betty Bomber (Chuuk)
Aircraft, Chuuk
A Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber in very shallow water with its wings largely intact. Accessible to snorkelers in good visibility.
- Depth
- 12 m
- Tonnage
- 8 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Betty Bomber (Pohnpei)
Aircraft, Pohnpei
A Mitsubishi G4M bomber in sheltered Pohnpei Harbour. Better preserved than many Chuuk examples thanks to lower diver traffic. Local operators run guided dives.
- Depth
- 15 m
- Tonnage
- 8 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Emily Flying Boat
Aircraft, Chuuk
A Kawanishi H8K "Emily" four-engine flying boat. The wingspan is still visible across the seafloor, though some sections have collapsed.
- Depth
- 22 m
- Tonnage
- 32 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Gosei Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A small cargo vessel sitting upright in good condition. The wheelhouse and holds are easily explored, and white-tip reef sharks shelter beneath the hull.
- Depth
- 25 m
- Tonnage
- 1,524 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Hanakawa Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo vessel densely colonised by hard and soft corals across the entire hull. Popular with photographers. Strong currents can occur and should be planned for.
- Depth
- 30 m
- Tonnage
- 2,741 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Hoki Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo vessel carrying construction equipment, bulldozers, trucks and cranes. Heavy machinery remains visible in the flooded holds, and the engine room offers outstanding penetration diving.
- Depth
- 34 m
- Tonnage
- 3,947 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Jake Seaplane (Aichi E13A)
Aircraft, Chuuk
An Aichi E13A "Jake" reconnaissance seaplane lying on its side, with float struts and fuselage largely intact. Popular with photographers.
- Depth
- 14 m
- Tonnage
- 4 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Katsuragisan Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A large freighter with interesting deck equipment including cargo winches, anchoring gear and davits. Fewer divers than the headline sites.
- Depth
- 31 m
- Tonnage
- 5,891 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Kohoku Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A small, easily accessible cargo vessel often visited as a second or third dive. Clouds of anthias drift around the mast in clear blue water.
- Depth
- 26 m
- Tonnage
- 2,462 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
M-15 Freighter
Cargo vessel, Kosrae
A small freighter in Kosrae's Lelu Harbour, shallow and accessible to Open Water divers. A fine example of Kosrae's little-known WWII underwater heritage.
- Depth
- 12 m
- Tonnage
- 620 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Mavis Flying Boat
Aircraft, Chuuk
A Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" patrol flying boat. Four engine nacelles rest on the sand with propellers still attached.
- Depth
- 18 m
- Tonnage
- 23 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Mitsuki Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A small inter-island freighter ideal for newly certified divers. Coral-encrusted winches and cargo gear create an atmospheric scene.
- Depth
- 22 m
- Tonnage
- 1,890 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Momokawa Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo vessel lying on its port side in deeper water, suited to experienced divers comfortable with penetration and low light. Napoleon wrasse and grey reef sharks patrol the hull.
- Depth
- 38 m
- Tonnage
- 3,829 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Reiyo Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A freighter with distinctive twin masts. The holds contain gas masks, medical supplies and personal effects, and yellow tunicates cover the hull at depth.
- Depth
- 28 m
- Tonnage
- 5,446 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Sankisan Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo freighter heavily encrusted with coral after 80 years on the seafloor. Large sea fans and soft corals cover the superstructure, and grouper and snapper shelter in the holds.
- Depth
- 28 m
- Tonnage
- 4,776 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Sapporo Maru
Cargo vessel, Yap
One of Yap State's few documented WWII wrecks. She sits upright and provides habitat for diverse reef fish. An important historical site for the Yap community.
- Depth
- 22 m
- Tonnage
- 1,840 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Seiko Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo freighter lying upright in excellent condition, with three accessible holds. The bow has exceptional hard coral growth on the anchor chain and windlass.
- Depth
- 31 m
- Tonnage
- 5,396 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Shotan Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo vessel carrying military equipment, with an accessible engine room corridor. Known for large resident grouper on the cargo deck.
- Depth
- 33 m
- Tonnage
- 2,826 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Suzuya Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A smaller cargo vessel well within recreational limits, with good penetration through the engine room and forward holds. A solid second dive.
- Depth
- 24 m
- Tonnage
- 2,730 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Unidentified wreck (Chuuk)
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
One of several wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon yet to be formally identified. Probably a small cargo or support vessel, upright and covered in coral. Identification is ongoing.
- Depth
- 20 m
- Tonnage
- Unknown
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Unkai Maru No.6
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A small freighter with an intact superstructure, including mast, kingposts and deck winches, all draped in soft corals. Excellent macro photography on the encrusted hull plating.
- Depth
- 25 m
- Tonnage
- 2,182 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Yamagiri Maru
Cargo vessel, Chuuk
A cargo vessel famously carrying 46 cm shells intended for the battleship Yamato, still stacked in the holds. Beautiful coral growth throughout makes it a rewarding dive for intermediate divers.
- Depth
- 24 m
- Tonnage
- 6,439 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- None
Zero Fighter A6M
Aircraft, Chuuk
A Mitsubishi A6M Zero sitting upright on sand with its radial engine clearly visible. The cockpit framing and instrument panel are remarkably intact.
- Depth
- 16 m
- Tonnage
- 3 t
- Sunk
- 1944
