Micronesia - Dive Adventures

1 Micronesia YOUR DIVING HOLIDAY SPECIALIST. The Islands of Micronesia The Islands of Micronesia The vast, tropical island archipelago of Micronesia consists of 2,000. islands scattered across thousands of miles of the north-west Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philippines. The islands and atolls are the result of volcanic activity in the region millions of years ago. Many islands are the summits of huge underwater mountains or the rims of sunken volcano craters. The islands were originally settled by ancient seafarers coming from South East Asia and Polynesia. Over the years Micronesia has seen parts of the nation administered by the Spanish, German and Japanese.

2 Following WWII, the accepted the role of Security Trusteeship of the islands until 1986. when the islands assumed a Compact of Free Association with the Many of the islands are currently independent, with the excep- tion of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, which remain unincorporated territories. Guam is the largest and most populous of the islands. Just south of Guam lies The Marianas Trench, boasting the world's greatest ocean depth at 10,925 metres, indirectly making Guam the highest point on Earth. Chuuk (Truk) Truk Lagoon as it is better known is a world renowned diving destination. The lagoon bed holds an entire WW II Japanese naval fleet, frozen in time where it sunk following a surprise attack by forces in February, 1944.

3 The site has been declared a national monument. Palau is famous for its unusual Rock Island formations. Three ocean currents converge on Palau bringing in a variety of dazzling marine life. The area also boasts spectacular drop- offs and sunken WW II wrecks. Yap is a land steeped in ancient traditions and fascinating legends. The giant stone money, grass skirts, traditional men's houses and cultural village tours offers an insight into Micronesian life hundreds of years ago. Yap is renowned for up-close diving with the magnificent Manta Rays. Bikini Atoll, located in the Marshall Islands, is best known as the site of a series of nuclear tests conducted by the during the 1940s and 50s.

4 Commercial diving in the area became available in 1996 and the site offers diving on the ships that were sunk during the controversial testing. General Information: Climate: Tropical, with only slight season variations. Average temperatures are between 25-30C. with 70% humidity. The lowest rainfall is from January-March. Water temperatures are 26-31C. The people: Settled approximately 3000 years ago by ancient seafarers from South East Asia. The total population is less than 500,000. Language: English is widely spoken along with a number of indigenous languages including: Palauan, Yapese, Chuukese and Marshallese.

5 Religion: Predominantly Christian. Health: Vaccinations are not required unless coming from an infected area. There are no known tropical diseases and health care is available in the main regions. Guam and each of the FSM have a hospital. Currency: Dollars is the main currency throughout Micronesia . Credit cards are widely accepted. Banks and ATMs are available in main towns. Time Zones: Palau is 9 hours ahead of GMT. Guam and Saipan 10. hours ahead and the Marshall Islands is 12 hours ahead of GMT. Electricity: 110 volt / 60 cycle current. Passport and Visas: All visitors require a valid passport with a minimum 6 months validity as well as an on-going travel ticket.

6 Australian passport holders do not require a US visa but must complete a Visa Waiver Form. Always check for visa requirements before you depart for travel. Guam Guam, is the gateway to Micronesia . The popular tourism area of Tumon Bay is lined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, shopping malls, designer boutiques, Vegas- style nightclubs and a variety of entertainment attractions. Diving: Underwater attractions include; wrecks, drop-offs, tunnels, coral coves and gardens with a variety of exotic reef fish. Popular sites include: The Blue Hole and the wrecks of the Tokai Maru, . which came to rest ontop of the Cormoran.

7 Each vessel a casualty of the two World Wars. Local Dive operators pick you up from your hotel and take you to some of the best local dive sites. Outrigger Guam Resort is located along the beachfront of Tumon Bay. The air-conditioned rooms offer panoramic views from the balcony, cable TV, fridge, tea and coffee making, phone and in-room safe. The resort has a pool, kids club, volleyball, lounge bar and spa services. Fiesta Resort Guam. Located 7 minutes from Guam Airport. The Fiesta Resort is a boutique style property with 318 rooms overlooking Tumon Bay. Ideal for short stopovers and transit stays.

8 Bayview Hotel near Tumon Bay, offers air-conditioned rooms with queen size bed, TV, table and chairs, fridge, tea and coffee making, phone and in- room safe. Perfect for transit stays. Truk Lagoon Truk Lagoon (Chuuk). Truk Lagoon as it is better known, has officially changed its name to Chuuk. The huge atoll consisting seven major island groups is surrounded by an outer barrier reef with high islands rising up from the centre of the vast lagoon. The lagoon measuring over 70 km in diameter and up to 100 metres in depth, makes it one of the world's largest. It was within these idyllic, protective conditions that the Japanese positioned itself for their military blitz on the Western Pacific during WW II.

9 During February 1944, forces launched a surprise and devastating air- raid attack on a complacent Japanese Imperial Fleet, based within the sheltered waters of the lagoon. Code named Operation Hailstone , the assault was fifteen times more powerful than the Japanese' assault on Pearl Harbour. The initial strike by 72 fighters was launched from five carriers. When the smoke cleared, 15 Japanese naval ships, 6. tankers, 17 cargo ships, 250 Japanese planes and 25 American planes lay on the bottom of the lagoon. Subsequent air- raids destroyed more Nippo Maru - Truk Lagoon ships and by the wars' end, more than 70 vessels lay on the lagoon floor culminating in the largest naval loss in history.

10 The majority of wrecks lie off Dublon, Eten, Fefan and Uman Islands. Cargoes of tanks, trucks, airplanes, mines, bombs, machine gun bullets along with thousands of artefacts, including beautiful china pieces, are all there to be explored. The passing of time, the warm, tropical waters and prolific marine life has resulted in the wrecks being festooned in a kaleidoscope of soft and hard corals. Nowhere else in the world will you see so many wrecks in such close proximity and in clear, shallow water, making some sites visible while snorkelling. Note: Chuuk Lagoon has been declared a national monument.