Hagåtña Bay Wrecks – Hagåtña Bay & Asan

20m Max

10-25m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Hagåtña Bay Wrecks comprise a remarkable collection of World War II landing craft, barges, Sherman tanks, and other military debris scattered across the shallow bay floor at depths of 5 to 20 metres. These relics of the 1944 liberation of Guam have been transformed by eight decades of marine colonization into thriving artificial reefs encrusted with hard and soft corals, sponges, and gorgonians. The shallow depth and generally calm conditions make these wrecks accessible to divers of all certification levels, including beginners and those in training. Lionfish are abundant throughout the wreck structures, providing excellent macro photography subjects against the backdrop of coral-covered military hardware. Nudibranchs of numerous species inhabit the crevices and overhangs, while moray eels patrol the darker recesses of the tank hulls and landing craft interiors. The historical significance of these wrecks adds a profound educational dimension to every dive, as each structure tells a story of the intense fighting that shaped the Pacific theatre. Multiple wrecks can be explored in a single dive, making this one of the most productive shallow wreck diving sites in the western Pacific. The historical significance of these wrecks has been documented by maritime archaeologists who have catalogued each structure and its role in the liberation of Guam during World War Two. The coral encrustation on the wrecks represents decades of undisturbed marine colonization, creating a living museum where natural and military history coexist in remarkable harmony.

Dive Briefing

"Enter from the designated shore access point and swim out to the wreck field at approximately 8 to 15 metres. The wrecks are spread across a sandy bottom with multiple structures within swimming distance of each other. Begin with the largest landing craft, noting the coral-covered ramp and deck structures. Work your way to the Sherman tanks, which sit upright on the sandy bottom with turrets and tracks clearly visible beneath the coral encrustation. Lionfish perch on every wreck structure, while nudibranchs and small crustaceans inhabit the crevices. The shallow depth allows for extended bottom times of 50 minutes or more. Maintain excellent buoyancy throughout to protect the delicate coral growth and avoid stirring sediment from the sandy bottom. Exit via the same shore entry, watching for boat traffic in the bay. The Sherman tanks are positioned approximately fifty metres apart on the sandy bottom, allowing divers to visit multiple vehicles within a single dive profile. Each tank has developed its own unique coral community, with different species dominating the turret, hull, and track areas creating a fascinating study in marine colonization patterns."