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MICRONESIA: the wreck diving capital of the world
MICRONESIA
Micronesia is a group of more than 2,000 Western Pacific islands, spread out over a distance of 3 million square miles. Lying just above the equator, the 8 island groups foster a wide range of cultures, languages, and histories. The diving in Micronesia is diverse, and the area has some of the best dive sites in the world. The islands are renowned with divers for their spectacular drop-offs, their profuse marine life, and their colourful coral formations. There is an abundance of tropical fish, as well as large pelagics for divers to encounter. The islands also offer some superb wreck diving around sunken WW2 boats. These beautiful islands are nothing short of a diving paradise.
Micronesia Highlights
The archipelago of Palau is made up of 340 beautiful islands, which are home to some of the best dive sites in the world. The islands are surrounded by a barrier reef that separates shallow reef lagoons from sheer walls, providing amazing diving opportunities. There are three ocean currents that meet around these islands, bringing with them water that is rich with nutrients. Thanks to this, Palau harbours over 1,500 types of tropical fish and 700 species of coral and anemones. Diving in this area will also often reveal large pelagics such as sharks and rays, as well as many other interesting creatures including dugongs, whales, dolphins and giant clams. The visibility for diving is excellent, with divers often reporting that they can see for over 60 metres. For those interested in wreck diving, there are numerous interesting war relics to dive around. Without a doubt, the pristine Palau islands offer some of the best diving on earth.
The Yap islands have retained their traditional feel, and have avoided extensive modernisation. Their lack of extreme tourism has left them with some beautiful diving sites, that are uncrowded and in good condition. The island’s diving is best known for its large population of Manta rays. The Manta cleaning stations ensure that divers visiting the Yap Islands are nearly guaranteed to see these magnificent creatures, making this one of the best places in the world to swim with Mantas. Diving is best appreciated here between December and April, when the Manta Rays base themselves on the West side of the island. However, it is possible to dive with the rays all year round, as they only migrate as far as the eastern shores. Dramatic coral drop-offs attract larger pelagics, including sharks to these waters.
Chuuk has a vast shallow lagoon that has become world famous for wreck diving. Truk Lagoon is unquestionably the world's best shipwreck diving destination. There are over 40 naval vessels left over from World War 2, which are now home to diverse marine ecosystems, and interesting underwater history. Most of the wrecks are able to be dived recreationally. The lagoon offers divers the chance to see tanks, jeeps, guns, torpedo tubes, submarines and many more historical artefacts which were abandoned underwater. The wrecks have nurtured a wide variety of hard and soft corals, in an enormous range of colours.
Micronesia is a group of more than 2,000 Western Pacific islands, spread out over a distance of 3 million square miles. Lying just above the equator, the 8 island groups foster a wide range of cultures, languages, and histories. The diving in Micronesia is diverse, and the area has some of the best dive sites in the world. The islands are renowned with divers for their spectacular drop-offs, their profuse marine life, and their colourful coral formations. There is an abundance of tropical fish, as well as large pelagics for divers to encounter. The islands also offer some superb wreck diving around sunken WW2 boats. These beautiful islands are nothing short of a diving paradise.
Micronesia Highlights
The archipelago of Palau is made up of 340 beautiful islands, which are home to some of the best dive sites in the world. The islands are surrounded by a barrier reef that separates shallow reef lagoons from sheer walls, providing amazing diving opportunities. There are three ocean currents that meet around these islands, bringing with them water that is rich with nutrients. Thanks to this, Palau harbours over 1,500 types of tropical fish and 700 species of coral and anemones. Diving in this area will also often reveal large pelagics such as sharks and rays, as well as many other interesting creatures including dugongs, whales, dolphins and giant clams. The visibility for diving is excellent, with divers often reporting that they can see for over 60 metres. For those interested in wreck diving, there are numerous interesting war relics to dive around. Without a doubt, the pristine Palau islands offer some of the best diving on earth.
The Yap islands have retained their traditional feel, and have avoided extensive modernisation. Their lack of extreme tourism has left them with some beautiful diving sites, that are uncrowded and in good condition. The island’s diving is best known for its large population of Manta rays. The Manta cleaning stations ensure that divers visiting the Yap Islands are nearly guaranteed to see these magnificent creatures, making this one of the best places in the world to swim with Mantas. Diving is best appreciated here between December and April, when the Manta Rays base themselves on the West side of the island. However, it is possible to dive with the rays all year round, as they only migrate as far as the eastern shores. Dramatic coral drop-offs attract larger pelagics, including sharks to these waters.
Chuuk has a vast shallow lagoon that has become world famous for wreck diving. Truk Lagoon is unquestionably the world's best shipwreck diving destination. There are over 40 naval vessels left over from World War 2, which are now home to diverse marine ecosystems, and interesting underwater history. Most of the wrecks are able to be dived recreationally. The lagoon offers divers the chance to see tanks, jeeps, guns, torpedo tubes, submarines and many more historical artefacts which were abandoned underwater. The wrecks have nurtured a wide variety of hard and soft corals, in an enormous range of colours.
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