A UNIQUE LOOK INTO THE PAST - PALAU'S WWII WRECKS
The Pacific was the scene of heavy naval battles during the Second World War, and many ships hoped for safe harbor in the sheltered waters of Palau.  The fate of the more unfortunate can be seen in all their majesty, asleep here on the ocean floor.  Many wrecks still lie undiscovered, and few at all are visited by most local dive shops.

Four large wrecks lie within a short distance of Koror, each containing numerous artifacts.  The wrecks have become an integral part of the marine ecosystem, their surface structures covered with razor clams and growths of hard and soft coral, and their interiors acting as safe haven for other marine life.  Experienced divers may enjoy penetrating below decks, while for the less intrepid the exterior of the wrecks present a wide variety of marine life. The wrecks look most spectacular at night, but day-time dives are also fun and exciting.  Wreck dives are arranged by request.

THE BISHO MARU
This wreck is rarely dived by other dive shops as it is, unfortunately, starting to deteriorate after 50+ years underwater.  Laying on its side for so long, it has started to become unstable, so it is best to stay on its outside.  The Bisho Maru is no longer suitable for penetration dives.

THE CHUYO MARU
The Chuyo Maru, a 280-foot standard D freighter, was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine 'Sailfish' on 4 December, 1943 during Operation Desecrate I, while on its way to the Home islands.

With a name that translates from the Japanese as 'A Hawk Going Speedily to Heaven', you would expect something unusual - and in the Chuyo Maru you will not be disappointed.  This wreck is a wonderful dive.  It sits upright inside the lagoon, covered with black coral, and patrolled by squadrons of very large lionfish.  While an excellent penetration dive for experienced wreck divers, many things can also be seen on the outside of the wreck including wheel barrows, Kirin beer bottles and sake bottles.  There is a nice stern gun on the deck at 80 feet (24m).  This is generally a short dive as the top of the post is 50 feet (15m) below the surface - safety stops for this dive are done on a descent line.

THE HELMET OR DEPTH CHARGE WRECK
The official name of this wreck is not known - locally it is called the Helmet Wreck or the Depth Charge wreck, after the Japanese helmets and depth charges that are found on her.  It is both the smallest and most recently found of all the wrecks in Palau - it was first sighted in 1992.

The wreck's sloping position make it a nice option for both shallow and deeper dives.  The bow of the boat sits at 100 feet (30m) and the stern at 45 feet (14m), with the shallowest part of the wreck at 25 feet (8m).  Due to its fairly recent discovery, the Helmet Wreck has the most artifacts of any of the wrecks in Palau - there are radial engines for Zero planes in the forward hold, along with lanterns, bullets, medicine bottles, and lots of Kirin beer and sake bottles.  There are also gas masks and an oil-cooled stern gun on the shallow end of the wreck.

THE IRO - FLEET TANKER
This is the best wreck dive in Palau and, at 475 feet (145m), one of the largest.  It sits upright in a sheltered lagoon close to Koror, and even closer to its sister ship the 'Sata' - which lies upside-down at inaccessible depths.  The Iro Maru was sunk on March 31, 1944 during Operation Desecrate - there's a huge torpedo hole through the bow section.  Of the 250 soldiers on board when it was hit, 200 are known to have survived.

Tthe forward king post begins at 25 feet (8m).  The main deck at the bow is at 70 feet (21m) and the stern is at 90 feet (27m).  The sandy bottom is at 120 feet (36m).  The open holds contain oil drums and machinery.  There are some really nice penetrations to do on this wreck and its size, condition and position make it a super subject for wide angle photographs.  It is also a GREAT night dive.