TRAVEL continued
other marine life on both the shipwrecks and reefs. Night dives reveal a different world of hunters, including octopuses, eels, crustaceans, and reef sharks that scour the wrecks and reefs in search of prey. The lagoon gained international attention as a dive destination in 1971, when a television documentary about Jacques Cousteau’s 1969 expedition aboard Calypso was released. The crew also took home many artifacts from the ships which, prompted the local government to impose strict reg- ulations and penalties, including fines and imprisonment. for any divers trying to take souvenirs. Today, if divers find any interesting artifacts on the ships,
foot (40 m) ship housing 16 guests, or contact the Thorfinn liveaboard (thorfinn.net) which is a 170-foot (52 m) ship housing 20 guests. For nondiving excursions, Weno offers land-based tours and boat trips to nearby islands. The Japanese converted Nefo Cave into an artillery bunker to defend the base. The guns remain in place, and the site offers a scenic overview of the lagoon. On Tonowas Island, visitors can explore the old Japanese Military Command bunker, under- ground tunnels to storage facilities, plus an old Shinto shrine. Visitors can also travel to the highest mountain on Weno, Mt. Tonaachaw, where you can relax in the pool at the base
they either leave them where they are or place them on the deck or hull of the ship for other divers to view. Planning Your Lagoon Dive Trip While diving the Lagoon is accessible year-round, the peak season is during the “dry season” from December to April, when the seas are calmer and the weather more stable. Dive travelers should plan to arrive at Chuuk International Airport (TKK) on Weno. Most flights stop first in Guam or Pohnpei. At the time of publication, the airport is served by United Airlines. Divers are primarily served by two land-based dive centers and two liveaboards. For land-based resorts with associated dive centers, either contact the Blue Lagoon Dive Shop and Resort (trukbluelagoonresort.com/diveshop) or the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center (trukstophotel.com). Both dive centers can support mixed-gas technical diving. Divers who want to stay on the water can contact either The Odyssey liveaboard (trukodyssey.com) which is a 132-
of the Wichon Waterfall. After World War II, the United States administered the lagoon and much of Micronesia until the Federated States of Micronesia assumed control. English is an official language, and many residents also speak Chuukese. The currency is the U.S. dollar. Electrical appliances also run using 110-volt, U.S.-style electrical outlets. To reach the Lagoon region, you must cross the International Date Line from the United States, so it is 17 hours ahead of Pacific Coast time. No visa is required for travelers from the United States. Whether you are a recreational diver, technical diver, shipwreck enthusiast, marine life aficionado, or just a history
buff snorkeler, Chuuk Lagoon is a destination that will please most everyone. But if you want to explore the many shipwrecks, then you should plan a trip sooner rather than later to see intact ships instead of rubble.
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38 | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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