Truk Lagoon
Rec • Tec 2026
I & II
M/V Truk Odyssey
with
Mike Gerken
Rec • Tec I
Mar 21-Apr 4, 2026
Rec • Tec II
Nov 7-21, 2026
Due to the popularity if the Truk Lagoon Rec•Tec excursions I have planned two Rec•Tec's for 2026. That's two separate two week back to back trips diving the 90'-130'+ dive sites followed by a deep week of 130' to 200'+ dives. Please join me for an epic wreck diving expedition to Truk Lagoon. I've been diving, filming & photographing the famed Japanese WWII wrecks since 2003 and am presently one of the captains of the finest luxury liveaboard dive vessel in the world, the M/V Odyssey. There is no safer, spacious and more luxurious a vessel to experience the wrecks of Truk from. I will be stepping aside as captain for these trips to focus all of my energy and expertise to deliver to you a dive trip of a lifetime. Read on for further details.
-Mike Gerken
Contact [email protected] to make your reservation.
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. To dive Truk once is but to scratch the surface of what lies below.
The first week of this dream itinerary is focused on diving the wrecks that have made Truk Lagoon famous. The Shinkoku, Hoki, Nippo, Fujikawa and the San Francisco Maru are all scheduled. Although I call it a "Rec" week technical diving is most certainly welcome to those with the proper training. Depths range from 90' to 160' average 110'. The second week is dedicated diver who desires to dive the deeper less frequented challenging wrecks such as the Amagisan, Aikoku, San Francisco and Shotan Maru's. Depths will range from 120' to 210'. There are so many wrecks in Truk that you can dive two per day for three weeks and still not see them all!
(After the April 4 date check out the 2 week trip to the Philippines both land based and liveaboard.)
The Truk 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 in the large dining room will not disappoint. 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 deck. In addition, get truly spoiled with a diver lift that raises you from the water to the swim deck. No climbing! Excellent for divers with heavy gear or physical issues where climbing ladders is difficult. There are no details overlooked on the Odyssey.
Rec Week Details
-Board the Odyssey no earlier than 5pm on Saturday.
-Up to 5 dives per day offered including night dive
-Depart the Odyssey 8am the following Saturday
-Most dives will be less than 130'/40m; several wrecks offer max depths slightly deeper.
-The San Francisco Maru (ave depth 165'/50m) will be dived once on Friday the last day.
All Inclusive Package Price $4195 per week (5% tax included)
Tec Week Details
-Same as above except we will be diving 1 deep dive in the morning before lunch in depths of 150'/45m-200'/61m.
-Afternoon dives will vary from 1 deep dive OR 2 moderate depth dives in depths of around 130'-140'. The afternoon schedule will depend on diver demands.
Suggested Deep Wrecks
•Amagisan Maru 110'-180'
•Aikoku Maru 150'-190'
•Oite Destroyer 190'-200'
•Shotan Maru 140'-180'
•Fujisan Maru 140'-180'
•Nagano Maru 160'-190' and more
All Inclusive Package Price $4195 per week (5% tax included)
Two week discount subtract $400.00
Whats Included:
-[Rec Week] 7 nights accommodation with 6 days of diving with up to 5 dives per day including night dive.
-[Tec Week] 7 nights accommodation with 6 days of diving with 2 dives per day; one in
the AM and one in the PM.
-3 meals per day plus snacks. (Lets just say you won't go hungry on this trip)
-Professional guide service
-Detailed historical briefings
-Free Nitrox - The Odyssey banks 30% nitrox or air
-Beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks and all beverages included
-Tanks & Weights. The Odyssey provides 80cft, HP steel 120cft and twin manifolded 80cft cylinders plus 30 & 40 cft O2 compatible deco bottles for custom blends of 30% to 100%. (Additional fee for O2)
-Airport greeting and transfer to vessel
-Chuuk State Dive Permit ($50.00 value)
-Odyssey is rebreather friendly. Divers may utilize the 2 or 3 liter rebreather O2 and diluent bottles that are available at no charge. Absorbent is available for purchase from the Odyssey at a competitive price.
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.
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.
Whats Not Included:
-Airfare
-Chuuk airport departure tax $30.00 cash
-Gratuity for Odyssey crew (amount is at diver discretion but ranges from 10)
-Equipment rental or dive instruction
-Oxygen and trimix
-Sorb for rebreather divers
-Hotel stay prior to boarding or after disembarkation (if required)
Reservation: A $1000 deposit per person required
Full payment will be due 120 days before charter date. Late payments may cause you to forfeit your spot and lose your
deposit.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
More than 9 months prior to charter date: Refundable less $250 Administrative fee per person
•9 months to 181 days prior to charter date: $500 of the deposit is forfeited.
•180 days to 121 days prior to charter date: $900 of the deposit is forfeited.
•Less than 120 days prior to charter date: No refund.
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. Evolution Dive Travel can assist you with your airline bookings at no additional fee.
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 - Mike is a well published photo journalist. Please read stories related to Truk below.
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] to make your reservation.
