Japanese Cargo Ship (Toyotsu Maru) - Mili Atoll

25m Max

15-35m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Japanese Cargo Ship (Toyotsu Maru) is one of the most celebrated dive sites in Mili Atoll, a 40 m Japanese freighter sunk in 1944, lying in 15 to 25 m with a hold full of ammunition and supplies, resident batfish and groupers, and penetrable. The site is defined by a 40 m cargo ship resting in 15 to 25 m with an open hold and recognizable superstructure, creating an underwater landscape that rewards divers with every visit. Batfish and groupers congregate around the hull, with soft corals and morays in the openings. Water clarity in this part of the Marshall Islands 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 Japanese Cargo Ship (Toyotsu 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 the Marshall Islands, and Japanese Cargo Ship (Toyotsu 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. Japanese Cargo Ship (Toyotsu Maru) deserves a place on any serious Pacific diving itinerary, offering a genuine taste of the untouched beauty that makes Marshall Islands diving so highly regarded internationally. Regular visitors note that the marine life here, including batfish, giant grouper, soft coral gardens, giant moray eel, humper red snapper, encrusted ordnance and artifacts, makes every descent memorable.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at Japanese Cargo Ship (Toyotsu 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 40 m cargo ship resting in 15 to 25 m with an open hold and recognizable superstructure, divers are immediately surrounded by batfish, giant grouper, soft coral gardens, giant moray eel, with the reef revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 25 metres, while the average depth sits near 20 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 dive gives calm conditions and the best light inside the open cargo hold"