Truk Lagoon
Background:
Truk Lagoon, also know as Chuuk, is a sheltered body of water almost fifty miles long by thirty miles wide surrounded by a protective reef. Part of the Federated States of Micronesia, the area consists of 11 major islands and 46 smaller ones.
During World War 2, Truk Lagoon served as the forward anchorage for the Japanese Imperial Fleet. The place was considered the most formitable of all Japanese strongholds in the Pacific. In the early hours of February 17th, 1944, American forces launched Operation Hailstone against the Japanese stronghold. Lasting for three days, it sent 60 ships and 275 airplanes to the bottom of the lagoon.
Today, it is a scuba diving paradise, drawing wreck diving enthusiasts from around the world to see its numerous, virtually intact sunken ships. In waters devoid of normal ocean currents, divers can easily swim over and into holds littered with war artifacts.
[Thanks to Wikipedia for a memory refresh on Truk Lagoon history]
Dive Profile:
Location: North of New Guinea, mid-ocean at 7 degrees North latitude
Depth: Wrecks range from at 8m (~24 ft) all the way to 55m (~165 ft)
Experience Level: Intermediate to Experienced
Certification Recommendation: Advanced Underwater with Deep and Wreck Specialty or Equiv.
Other: Of special interest is the wreck of the submarine I-169 Shinohara which was lost when diving to avoid the bombing. The sub had been part of the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Wildlife: Not really the place for wildlife enthusiast 
The wrecks are encrusted with soft and hard coral. A range of tropical reef fish (batfish, anemonefish etc.)Â also reside there.
