Truk Lagoon
Photo Expedition
aboard the
M/V Odyssey
Oct 30 - Nov 6, 2021
All dive skills welcome. Advanced Open Water minimum strongly suggested.
Want to dive Palau while in Micronesia? Mike has an add-on trip Nov 7-15, 2020
Want to dive Papua New Guinea prior to diving Truk?
Details to come
The 2021 Truk Photo Video expedition on board the Odyssey will have one week of diving offered on the wrecks that made Truk Lagoon famous at the depths of 160' or less (see proposed itinerary below). If you are interested in joining me for the Rec•Tec Expedition, which is a back to back standard and deep itineraries, I have one planned for Feb/Mar 2022. Details to be announced soon.
On February 17th & 18th of 1944, United States Naval forces conducted the most daring carrier based aerial raid in history on the Japanese naval stronghold of Truk Lagoon in Micronesia. More than forty Japanese ships ended up at the bottom of the lagoon turning it into a modern day wreck diving mecca for sport divers the world over. Please join Mike for an epic trip to dive the iconic wrecks of Truk Lagoon.
I've been diving and photographing the famed Japanese WWII wrecks since 2003 and am presently the captain of one of the finest luxury liveaboard dive vessels, the M/V Odyssey. There is no better dive platform to experience the wrecks of Truk than the Odyssey. I will be stepping aside as captain for these trips to focus all of my energy on the diving, photo and video needs of the guests. I will utilize my many years of experience to make this dive expedition the most memorable for all who attend.
In addition, I will be scheduling a dive trip in the beautiful island nation of Papua New Guinea. You might as well maximize travel time and expenses and see two destinations back to back. Dates and details of the https://cdn.zenfolio.com/zf/img/null.gif trip will be posted soon.
Please scroll down and review all the information below for these two trips and contact [email protected] with any questions you may have.
The Details:
The M/V Odyssey
Since 1999, the Odyssey and her highly experienced crew have been taking avid divers in the lap of luxury to dive the wrecks of Truk Lagoon. The 133' vessel is tricked out to meet the most discerning divers needs. The luxury spacious staterooms with individual climate control will provide the perfect place to rest up between dives and get a good nights sleep. The delicious food served on board will keep your energy levels up and offer a comfortable environment to enjoy your meals. Odyssey is a perfectly designed dive platform with everything the recreational and technical diver could ask for. Individual dive lockers, outdoor shower, rinse tanks and extra large camera table are but a few of the amenities on the dive deck. in addition, get truly spoiled with diver lift from the water to the swim deck. Climb on and up you go. No exertion, no fuss. Great for divers with heavy gear or physical issues where climbing ladders is difficult. There are few details overlooked on this liveaboard dive vessel.
Itinerary
-Kiyosumi Maru 50'-110'
-Yamagiri Maru 50'-110'
-Fumitzuki Destroyer 100'-125'
-Shinkoku Maru 40'-130'
-Nippo Maru 90'-155'
-Heian Maru 35'-110'
-Hoki Maru 90'-160'
-Fujikawa Maru 30'-110'
-San Francisco Maru 160'-200'
Others: Rio, Sankisan, Unkai Maru's and/or Betty Bomber I-169 submarine
-Board the Odyssey no earlier than 5pm on Saturday.
-Depart the Odyssey 8am on Saturday
-The San Francisco Maru (ave depth 165'/50m) will be dived once on Saturday the last day.
All Inclusive Package Price $3795 per week (5% tax included)
Whats Included:
-7 nights accommodation with 6 days of diving with up to 5 dives per day (except Sat; 3 dives only; see above for tec week schedule).
-3 meals per day plus snacks. (Lets just say you won't go hungry on this trip)
-Free Nitrox - The Odyssey banks 30% Nitrox or air
-Beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks and all beverages included
-Tanks & Weights. The Odyssey provides 80cft/12L, HP steel 120cft/15L and twin manifolded 80cft/12L cylinders plus 30cft/5L ponies. The ponies are O2 compatible for custom blends of 30% to 100%.
-Airport greeting and transfer to vessel
-Chuuk State Dive Permit ($50.00 value)
-In addition, you will be given a free custom Evolution designed trip t-shirt.
-Odyssey is rebreather friendly. Divers may utilize the 2 or 3ltr Odyssey rebreather O2 and diluent bottles that are available at no charge. Absorbent is also available from Odyssey but for a fee.
Additional Trip Features:
Photo and video workshops
-There will be workshops offered each day covering an extensive list of topics such as lighting, lens choices, composition, video editing techniques and setting exposure. Whether you're a novice or an expert, bring your GoPro, SLR or your point & shoot camera and go home with some amazing images.
Historical Briefings
-Comprehensive historical briefings will be provided for each dive site. Mike will share his knowledge of both the history and photographic highlights of the wrecks.
-Whether your looking to take awesome photos or just see the sites, join Mike on one or more of his personal tours. In addition, there will be the usual compliment of highly experienced local dive guides to take you where ever your heart and nerves desire.
The Wrecks of Truk Lagoon - Documentary
-Free digital copy of Mike's documntary, The Wrecks of Truk Lagoon. He spent more than 5 years researching and producing this far reaching historical film. It's a must see.
Video of the Week
-Mike will produce one of his famous weekly videos with highlights of the trip above and below the water. (Only on the Rec week). Visit Mike's You Tube page for a sampling of his work from Truk Lagoon as well as North Carolina.
Evening Presentations
-Each evening, after dinner, see what Mike is up to when he will entertain you with his photo and video presentations. From the sand tiger sharks of the North Carolina wrecks to Socorro and Papua New Guinea, there will be plenty to see.
What's not Included:
-Airfare
-Chuuk airport departure tax $30.00 cash
-Gratuity for Odyssey crew (amount is at diver discretion)
-Equipment rental or dive instruction
-Oxygen and trimix
-Sorb for rebreather divers
-Hotel stays if required
Reservation: A $900 deposit per person required
Full payment will be due 90 days before charter date. Late payments may cause you to forfeit your spot and lose your deposit.
Cancellation policy:
More than 9 months prior to charter date: Refundable less $100 Administrative fee per person
•9 months to 181 days prior to charter date: $250 of the deposit is forfeited.
•180 days to 91 days prior to charter date: $500 of the deposit is forfeited.
•90 days to 61 days prior to charter date: Forfeit entire deposit amount of $900.
•Less than 60 days prior to charter date: No refund. This will be strictly enforced. See below.
Dive Insurance: We strongly recommend every passenger carry diving accident insurance such as Divers Alert Network (DAN). No Dive Insurance is included in this package.
Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend every passenger purchase comprehensive accident, medical, baggage and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. The insurance will protect the passenger from financial disappointment in the event of an unforeseen circumstances. No trip insurance is included in this package.
Getting There: United Airlines is the only airline operating to Chuuk from either Hawaii or Guam. The two common routes are from Narita, Japan to Guam to Chuuk or Hawaii to Guam to Chuuk. Air Nuigini runs flights from Sydney, Australia to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to Chuuk. This is ideal for travelers coming from Australia.
Arrival/Departure date: Embarkation to the Odyssey is no earlier than 1700 hrs on the Saturday of each charter. Disembarkation will be at 0800 on Saturday at the end of each charter.
Truk Lagoon Articles
Read about diving Truk from the Odyssey in Pacific Island Living Magazine; photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the wreck of the Hoki Maru in Wreck Diving Magazine; photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the wreck of the Fumitzuki in Wreck Diving Magazine; photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the Shinkoku Maru in Wreck Diving Magazine; Photos and text by Mike Gerken
Contact [email protected] for additional information or to make your reservation.
