Toa Maru Wreck - Gizo & Ghizo Island

40m Max

15-32m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Toa Maru Wreck is one of the signature dive sites of Gizo & Ghizo Island in the Solomon Islands. The 140 m Japanese transport Toa Maru was torpedoed in 1943 and lies on its port side at 20 to 40 m, a massive, intact structure with bridge and engine visible and huge resident groupers. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 40 m, with an average depth near 30 m, and its wreck topography is draped in metal and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with grouper, great barracuda, soft coral, moray eel, schooling snapper, nudibranch regularly recorded here, drawn in by the moderate currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 32 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 27 to 30°C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit advanced divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its wreck and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Gizo, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Toa Maru Wreck a genuine standout on any Solomon Islands itinerary. Divers who time their visit to the calm season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site rewards repeat visits across the year.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at Toa Maru Wreck begins with a thorough operator briefing covering the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures, followed by a controlled entry and a short transfer from Gizo. Descending toward the wreck profile, divers are immediately surrounded by grouper, great barracuda, soft coral, moray eel, schooling snapper, nudibranch, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 40 m while the average sits near 30 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as moderate, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or DSMB when needed. Neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral and the group stays close 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. The Toa Maru is best dived on a calm day with a planned profile from 20 to 40 m, when the colossal transport lying on its port side is most impressive. Moderate to strong currents are easiest on a slack window, and a morning dive gives the best light on the bridge and engine. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 5 mm wetsuit suits the depth. Ascend on a DSMB."