San Francisco Maru - Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon

60m Max

15-40m Vis

boat

Site Overview

San Francisco Maru is one of the most celebrated dive sites in Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon, a deep 117 m cargo ship in 40 to 60 m of water, famous for the tanks, trucks and torpedoes in its holds. The site is defined by a 117 m cargo ship resting on the lagoon floor at 40 to 60 m, its holds still packed with mines, torpedoes, tanks and trucks and draped in soft corals, creating an underwater landscape that rewards divers with every visit. Glassfish, groupers and lionfish shelter among the cargo, with soft corals colonising every surface and the occasional turtle drifting over the massive hull. Water clarity in this part of the Federated States of Micronesia is frequently excellent, with visibility often extending well beyond 15 metres and a comfortably warm tropical temperature year-round. The combination of healthy hard and soft corals, nutrient-rich currents and sheltered reef systems makes San Francisco Maru a reliable location for both macro photography and wide-angle encounters. Local dive operators run regular trips to the site from nearby bases, and the geography means conditions are suitable across a range of experience levels with appropriate guidance. Conservation is taken seriously throughout Micronesia, and San Francisco Maru benefits from marine protection that keeps fish stocks high and coral coverage dense. Divers who plan their visit around the calm season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site can be enjoyed throughout the year. San Francisco Maru deserves a place on any serious Pacific diving itinerary, offering a genuine taste of the untouched beauty that makes Micronesia diving so highly regarded internationally. Regular visitors note that the marine life here, including soft coral, glassfish, groupers, lionfish, moray eel, turtle, makes every descent memorable.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at San Francisco Maru begins with a controlled entry and a short transfer from the nearest base, with the guide giving a full briefing on the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures. Descending toward a 117 m cargo ship resting on the lagoon floor at 40 to 60 m, its holds still packed with mines, torpedoes, tanks and trucks and draped in soft corals, divers are immediately surrounded by soft coral, glassfish, groupers, lionfish, with the reef revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 60 metres, while the average depth sits near 45 metres, so gas planning and a dive computer keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as mild, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or DSMB when needed. The topography offers natural swim-throughs and ledges that shelter larger animals, and the open water above the reef often holds cruising pelagics. Throughout the dive, neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral, and the group stays close to the guide to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a DSMB, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. A morning descent in the dry season gives the calmest deep water and the best chance of clear visibility at 60 m."