Truk Lagoon - Blue Lagoon Resort
Tour Leaders: Hannah Smeeton - The Scuba Doctor
Thursday, 31st May to Friday, 8th June 2012 inclusive
Departing ex Cairns, Queensland, Australia at 0:20 (20 minutes past midnight)
on Friday, 1st June 2012 (flight check in at approximately 21:20 on Thursday, 31st May 2012.
Arriving back in Cairns at 23:20 on Thursday, 8th June 2012).
Note: Please allow extra travel time to and from Cairns, Australia.
This fantastic trip includes 10 boat dives, transfers and accommodation.
8 Days & 7 Nights, ex Cairns from $2,589 per Diver
Per Person Tour Package Includes:
- Airfares ex Cairns, Australia / Truk, Micronesia / Cairns, Australia
with Continental Airlines via Guam.
CO 903 - 1 June CNS-GUM 00:20-04:45 FRI
CO 956 - 1 June GUM-TKK 07:55-09:35 FRI
CO 957 - 7 June TKK-GUM 15:50-17:20 THU
CO 902 - 7 June GUM-CNS 18:50-23:20 THU - 6 nights twin accommodation at the Blue Lagoon Resort, Truk.
- Return airport transfers in Truk.
- 10 boat dives with Blue Lagoon Dive Shop
Includes: tanks, weights and dive guide services
bonus extra dive, use of kayak, dive locker and safety deposit box,
complimentary lunch on the last day of diving. - Annual Truk (Chuuk) diving permit.
- Return airport transfers in Cairns.
- Flight from Guam arrives back in Cairns at 23:20 on Thursday, 7 May 2012 and no flights out of Cairns that night.
So the package includes 1 night accommodation at Mercure - Harbourside, Cairns
staying in a twin Room, plus breakfast. You can book your return flight out of Cairns for the day of Friday, 8th June 2012. - Australian Departure taxes (value: $215 - subject to change)
Tour Price Does Not Include:
- Travel Insurance
- Personal spending monies
- Excess luggage charges
- Passport fees, visa fees & Micronesia (USA ESTA) entry visa US$14
- Truk (Chuuk) departure tax of US$20 payable at the airport
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Diving Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon
Explore massive remarkably intact hulks providing the finest collection of wreck sites in the world. Their cargoes of tanks, trucks, airplanes, mines, bombs, machine gun bullets and thousands of artifacts including beautiful china are there still to be explored. A combination of warm tropical water and prolific marine life has resulted in the wrecks festooning with a variety of soft corals, hard corals and sponges that provide an eerie home for many fish, plankton, and other underwater creatures.
Nowhere in the world are there so many wrecks in close proximity, situated in shallow, clear water. Many of the wrecks are visible while snorkeling and there are many on-shore wartime locations to visit.
Some of the popular dive sites:
Fujikawa Maru: Depth 0 to 37 metres (120 feet). A 133 metre (437 foot) freighter sitting upright. It is the most well-known wreck in the lagoon. A favourite for artifacts and marine life. The cargo includes Zero aircraft bodies and wing sections, machine guns, bullets, and artillery shells.
Shinkoku Maru: Depth 6 to 40 metres (20 to 130 feet). A 153 metre (500-foot) tanker sitting upright. Some of the best marine life in the lagoon. More than 100 anemones and clownfish, lionfish, soft corals, schools of jacks and a few sharks.
Yamagiri Maru: Depth 15 to 34 metres (50 to 110 feet). A 134 metre (439-foot) freighter lying on its port side. Contains the largest artillery shells ever produced and were meant for the Japanese super battleships Yamato and Musahi. Abundant soft corals and anemones.
Kansho Maru: Depth 15 to 40 metres (25 to 130 feet). A 115 metre (375-foot) freighter sitting upright. Easy access to the engine room, radio room and galley. Clownfish town at 11 metres (35 feet).
Heyan Maru: Depth 11 to 35 metres (35 to 115 feet). A 155 metre (510-foot) submarine tender lying on its port side. It is the largest ship in the lagoon.
Nippo Maru: Depth 15 to 46 metres (50 to 150 feet). A 108 metre (353-foot) freighter sitting upright. There is little coral due to depth. Artifacts include artillery guns, a tank, land mines and 2 trucks. This ship has the best preserved wheel house in the lagoon.
The Rio de Janeiro Maru: This passenger liner, used as a transport and sub tender, rests on its starboard side. Its on an incline with the stern deeper than the bow. A twin engine ship, the screws and rudder offer an excellent photo opportunity, as does the large 15 cm/6 in stern gun. The raised letter name below the stern rail is still visible. Cargo includes coastal defense guns, oil/gasoline drums, and a hold of beer bottles. The engine room is large to accommodate the twin engines but requires special skills to penetrate
Fumitzuki Destroyer: Depth 21 to 37 metres (70 to 120 feet). A 98 metre (320-foot) destroyer that sits upright. Good marine growth, soft corals, black coral and anemones.
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Truk Lagoon
The correct name for Truk is actually Chuuk but it is best known worldwide as Truk Lagoon.
Truk Lagoon is a wreck diver's ultimate destination and suitable for novice and experienced divers. The calm, clear, sheltered lagoon is one of the largest in the world and is relatively free from currents, providing safe, easy diving conditions.
On the 7th and 18th February 1944, the U.S navy launched a devastating air attack on the Japanese Imperial Fleet that was situated inside the sheltered waters of Truk Lagoon. The assault was fifteen times more powerful than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Code named Operation Hailstone, the initial strike was made up of 72 fighters launched from five carriers. When the smoke cleared 15 Japanese naval ships, 6 tankers, 17 cargo ships, 25 American planes and 250 Japanese planes, were lying on the bottom of the Lagoon.
Subsequent air raids in April, May and June sunk more ships and by the wars end more than 60 destroyed vessels were on the Lagoon bed, culminating in the largest naval loss in history. The majority of wrecks lie off Dublon, Eten, Fefan and Uman Islands.
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Blue Lagoon Resort
The Blue Lagoon resort is set amongst 14 acres of lush tropical gardens shaded by palm trees, along a white sandy beach on Weno Island. The recently renovated , sprawling resort has 56 spacious air conditioned rooms built in 2 storey , low impact blocks.
Each room has a private bathroom, IDD telephone, TV, fax and email service and balcony or verandah to enjoy the views of the outer islands and the magnificent sunrises and sunsets over Truk Lagoon.
The resort has a restaurant offering, local and Asian Cuisine, inside and outside bars, a conference room and gift shop. Sea kayak rentals are available and the hotel can arrange visits to the distant atolls for snorkeling and fishing trips. For family members or friends who are non-divers, the World War II history filled island has a taxi service and private tour buses that offer visits to historic and cultural sites.
Located on the grounds of the Blue Lagoon Resort is the local dive operator, Blue Lagoon Dive Centre. The dive shop is air-conditioned and provides sales, service and classes.
Activities: As scuba diving is the main activity in Truk, Blue Lagoon Dive Centre offers a fleet of fast dive boats . Knowledgeable dive guides provide easy access to the wrecks and allows divers the freedom to dive in small, personal groups.
Truk Lagoon is where you will find some if the best diving in Micronesia. When you experience the mystery and excitement of the Fujikawa Maru with its beautiful soft coral growth and schools of colorful fish or descend into the cargo holds of the Sankisan and San Francisco Maru you will understand why the license plates in Chuuk call it "Divers Haven". With over 40 wrecks to dive you will want to extend your trip.
General Information
Climate: Virtually all of Micronesia enjoys a tropical climate due to its proximity to the equator. The seasons are the reverse of the Southern Hemisphere and it is slightly cooler between December and March. The rainy season in southern districts is from mid-May to late November, with the greatest falls between July and October. The rain is rarely heavy however and there is still much sunshine. Temperatures average around 28 degrees Celsius and humidity averages 80%.
Currency: The US Dollar is the preferred currency throughout Micronesia - there is no local currency. It is strongly recommended that you do NOT carry Australian Dollar Travelers cheques as you may experience difficulty in cashing them. Most international credit cards are accepted by hotels, shops and restaurants throughout Micronesia such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club.
Dress: Island-style prevails, namely cool, loosely-fitting clothing. Hats, sunglasses and sunscreens are highly recommended. Visitors are asked to respect local customs by NOT wearing swimsuits and short shorts in town and public areas.
Entry Requirements: Australian and US passengers traveling to Micronesia require a passport which must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Australian and US passport holders do not require a visa.
Health Requirements: Consult your local doctor for information regarding vaccinations and inoculations.
Language: The official language is English, though Japanese is widely spoken and local dialects are based on Chamorro.
Power: 110-120 VAC electricity generated at 60 Hz (cycles).
US type power outlets.
Tipping: Micronesia follows the American custom and tipping is an accepted practice in restaurants, hotels and baggage handling. The minimum cash tip for porter service is 50 cents to one dollar.
Suggested Diving Essentials: Please bring your certification card(s) and maybe your log book. The Blue Lagoon Dive Shop has full equipment rental which you can arrange for in advance. Diving fees include tanks, weight belt and weights. Most divers are more comfortable with their own dive gear so bring what you think you want to use. Gear bag, BCD, torch with batteries and charger, mask, snorkel, fins, regulator and ocy, dive watch/computer, multi-level dive computer, spare parts kit, camera, flash, film. Lycra suits are recommended as average water temperature is 27 degC. For those that feel the cold, a 3 mm wetsuit is recommended. Cylinders with DIN valve fittings are available, but bring your DIN-Yoke adaptor(s) just in case.
Optional Extras: Nitrox is available. If you have the required gear to support it, you can arrange to dive with independent twin cylinders, or manifold twin cylinders. Small and large stage cylinders are also available.
Books: Books you might like to read before or during your Truk Lagoon trip include:
Ghost Fleet Of The Truk Lagoon by William H. Stewart.
World War Two Wrecks Of The Truk Lagoon by Dan E. Bailey.
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Note:
Conditions Apply — Prices and schedules are based on current 2011 rates and are subject to change without notice, due to 2012 price increases and USD currency fluctuations.
Credit Card Payments:
- Should you choose to pay via Visa Card or Mastercard a surcharge fee of 1% will be applied to cost of your holiday.
- Should you choose to pay via American Express card or Diners Card a surcharge fee of 3% will be applied to the cost of your holiday.
For bookings or more information, please contact The Scuba Doctor. To secure your place on this amazing expedition, you will need to complete the booking form and return it together with a non-refundable deposit amount of $300.00 per person.
Download
the Truk Lagoon leaflet - PDF: 186 KBabout:
Truk Lagoon dive trip PDF 186 KB
Download
the Blue Lagoon Resort leaflet - PDF: 525 KBabout:
Blue Lagoon Resort PDF 525 KB
Download
the Truk Lagoon Booking Form - PDF: 489 Kbabout:
Truk Lagoon Booking Form PDF 489 KB
The Scuba Doctor reserves the right to adjust these prices any time up to the date of travel. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. DAN membership and dive injury insurance is also strongly recommended. Booking Conditions Apply.
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