Shinkoku Maru - Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

The *Shinkoku Maru* is one of those wrecks that just hits different. An oil tanker sunk in 1944, she’s coated in some of the most vibrant stony and staghorn corals you’ll find in the lagoon. We love dropping onto the bow, seeing the giant gun still in place, then drifting along her superstructure. You can spend a whole dive just exploring the bridge, the engine room, and the holds. Inside, look for the operating theatre, with surgical instruments still visible if you know where to shine a light. Out on the deck, the schools of unicornfish and parrotfish are thick, and the resident groupers eye you with casual indifference. We've often spotted blacktip reef sharks cruising the deeper sections around 30m. It’s an intermediate dive, with depths down to 40m, but plenty to see shallower, making it a good second or third dive of the day. The sheer scale and the incredible coral growth on this wreck are what make it truly special.

Location: Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon, Micronesia, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: 7.360000, 151.870000
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 12-40m
Difficulty: Intermediate

Best Time to Dive in Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

The warmest water temperatures in Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon occur in January, averaging 28.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.9°C (air: 27.8°C)
February: 28.9°C (air: 27.7°C)
March: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
April: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
May: 28.9°C (air: 27.7°C)
June: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
July: 28.9°C (air: 27.5°C)
August: 28.9°C (air: 27.7°C)
September: 28.9°C (air: 27.7°C)
October: 28.9°C (air: 27.9°C)
November: 28.9°C (air: 27.9°C)
December: 28.9°C (air: 27.9°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Shinkoku Maru

Marine Life in Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

Home to 213 recorded species including 133 reef fish, 36 hard corals, 17 sea cucumbers, 12 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 sharks & rays, 4 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Bleeker's Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri) - Reef Fish
Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
Long-nosed Parrotfish (Hipposcarus longiceps) - Reef Fish
Blunt-head Parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos) - Reef Fish
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Saddled Parrotfish (Scarus dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
Black sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) - Sea Cucumbers
Greenfish (Stichopus chloronotus) - Sea Cucumbers
Schlegel's Parrotfish (Scarus schlegeli) - Reef Fish
Roundhead Parrotfish (Scarus globiceps) - Reef Fish
Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
Blackspotted Sea Cucumber (Pearsonothuria graeffei) - Sea Cucumbers
Batavian Parrotfish (Scarus psittacus) - Reef Fish
Crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) - Starfish
Sea chub (Kyphosus cinerascens) - Reef Fish
Foxface (Siganus vulpinus) - Reef Fish
Banded maori wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus) - Reef Fish
Unicornfish (Naso annulatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Shinkoku Maru

Based on average water temperature of 28.9°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories