Kitsugawa Maru – Apra Harbor

Site Overview

The Kitsugawa Maru is a large World War II Japanese freighter resting upright on the seabed of Apra Harbor at depths of 25 to 40 metres. This substantial vessel represents one of the most impressive intact wreck dives in the western Pacific, with her massive hull structure, open cargo holds, and deck equipment still clearly recognizable after more than eight decades underwater. The wreck has been extensively colonized by marine life, with schools of jacks and snappers patrolling the open deck areas while moray eels and lionfish inhabit the darker recesses. The cargo holds are penetrable for qualified wreck divers, revealing a fascinating interior landscape of corridors and chambers encrusted with sponges and soft corals. The sheer scale of the vessel provides an awe-inspiring sense of the industrial capacity that defined the Pacific War. Visibility within the harbor is typically good, ranging from 15 to 35 metres depending on weather and tidal conditions. The site is accessed by boat from Apra Harbor operators and is typically dived as part of a two-tank trip alongside the Twin Wrecks or other harbor sites. The depth profile allows for a rewarding multi-level dive, starting on the shallow deck structures and working deeper along the hull.