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Chuuk
is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific
Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated
States of Micronesia (FSM), along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and
 Yap.
Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's states. Geographically,
Chuuk is also part of the larger Caroline Islands group.
Chuuk
includes fifteen large islands, 192 outer islands and 80 islets
and has one of the largest lagoons in the world. Once a major
Japanese center and military base, it was devastated during
World War II. It's natural beauty and ecology has been quick
to return but today the people of Chuuk lead a simpler life
and have much in common with the way their ancestors lived before
the arrival of the Europeans and Japanese. Fishing and subsistence
agriculture sustain the majority of Chuukese who live on the
outlying islands.
On
the capital of Weno and main islands of Tonoas, Uman, Fefan
and Tol, life marches to a slightly more modern beat with many
families earning a living from tourism, commercial  fishing
and government work. All of the major tourism and government
facilities are located on Weno, including the airport, hotels
and dive operators.
While
Chuuk is best known for its wreck diving, a visit to Chuuk does
not have to be all about diving or diving wrecks. Divers and
non-diving companions alike will enjoy a day or overnight trip
to the many tiny islands located in and around the  lagoon.
Hidden in the jungle of the major islands are many Japanese
fortifications and artifacts. There are many rare species of
flora and fauna, scenic sites, cultural artifacts and Japanese
WWII fortifications hidden in the jungle to be explored by those
with the energy to hike the interior trails. You will also find
beautiful long stretches of white sand beaches.
Chuuk,
known to most divers as Truk, because of Truk Lagoon, boasts
a vast, shallow, beautiful lagoon, and is a Mecca for wreck
divers. Known to the world as the graveyard of the Pacific,
Truk Lagoon is the final resting place of more than 70 WW II
ships and hundreds of aircraft that fell to the U.S. Forces
during "Operation Hailstone". Many of these wrecks
rest upon the bottom with trucks, jeeps, planes and equipment
they were carrying still intact. During the past 50+ years these
huge artifacts of the past have become home for a profusion
of soft corals and marine life.
Less
dived and spectacular itself is the outer reef with peaks, caves
and dropoffs with hard and soft corals in a kaleidoscope of
colors and shapes. Here you can experience hundreds of species
of fishes and lots of palagics.
Climate:
Warm & Humid
Year Round Low to Mid 70's
Night Mid to Upper 80's Day
Water Temperature: 78 - 85F Visibility: Up to 100+ ft
Dive Services & Accommodations
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Truk
Lagoon's S.S. Thorfinn - Seaward Holidays
P.O. Box 1086, Weno, Chuuk, FM 96942
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: (691) 330-3040
FAX: (691) 330-4253
Seaward@mail.fm
http://www.thorfinn.net
Welcome aboard Truk Lagoon's SS Thorfinn, one of the world's
largest and most seaworthy live aboard dive cruisers.
A superbly equipped ship well suited to diving adventures
at Truk Lagoon and exploring on Pan Micronesian 'Voyages
of Discovery'. |
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Getting
There
Airline
connections via Continental
Micronesia from Guam provide a connection to Truk Lagoon
every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and flights back
to Guam from Truk are scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday.
Connections
from Honolulu to Truk are scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday and from Truk to Honolulu are on Monday, Wednesday
and Friday.
New
Boeing 737 - 800 jets are comfortable and well appointed with
in flight movies, and provide a relaxing ride to Truk from either
hub at Guam or Honolulu.
Guam
is the most convenient gateway with a flight time of just over
1 hour direct to Truk Lagoon. Honolulu serves as the Eastern
terminus of the famous "Island Hopper" flight starting
at Guam, with stops at Truk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Kwajalein and
Majuro before ending at Honolulu.
This
flight provides colorful and interesting views of Micronesia
that are not seen on larger DC 10s between Guam and Hawaii.
Elapsed time between Truk and Honolulu is about equal on either
route, and costs are nearly the same.
For
European and Asian travelers, Guam is the gateway to Truk. Continental
Micronesia provide regular schedules from Bali, Manila, Hong
Kong, Taiwan and Japan to Guam with connecting flights to Truk
or Yap.
Customs,
Immigration and Health Requirements
Each
island airport has its own customs and immigration officers.
If you plan on visiting several islands on one trip, you will
be passing through customs and immigration lines at each stop
and filling out the usual paperwork.
All
visitors arriving in the FSM must have and present proof of
citizenship or nationality by possessing a valid passport or
other travel document issued by the government of the country
of citizenship or nationality. The document must be valid for
at least 120 days beyond the date of departure from the FSM.
Citizens and nationals of the FSM, Republic of Palau, the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, or the United States may prove citizenship
or nationality by possessing a passport, birth certificate or
FSM entry permit.
Vaccination
or certification is not required unless the traveler comes from
an infected area. Plants and animals must be given prior approval
before entry, and animals must be quarantined. Importation of
controlled substances or weapons is strictly prohibited.
Departure
Tax:
US $15 for Chuuk.
Traveler
Information
Currency, Credit Cards:
The U.S. dollar is the official currency. Most major credit
cards are welcome at most visitor-oriented businesses.
Time:
Chuuk is 10 hours ahead of GMT.
Telecommunications:
Chuuk enjoys modern, reliable telecommunication links worldwide.
TV, FAX and Internet services are readily available through
the services of the FSM Telecommunications Corporation.
Medical Facilities:
Chuuk is a healthy place to visit. There are no tropical diseases
and health care is readily available.
Postal Services:
U.S. Postal rates apply, and there is a post office. Post office
is open daily during regular business hours and are closed on
week-ends.
What to Wear:
Travel light. It never gets cold, so only lightweight clothing
should be brought. Attire is very casual and formal wear is
considered unnecessary and impractical. Hats, sunglasses and
sun screen are recommended when enjoying the sun.
Language:
English is the official language of the government and of commerce.
English is commonly spoken and understood. Many elderly people
are fluent in Japanese.
Media:
Newspapers, government and private, are available. There are
AM and FM radio stations as well as a cable station on Chuuk
where you can watch live satellite broadcasts of CNN and ESPN.
Tipping:
Visitors to Chuuk are guests and hospitality is an honor in
our culture. Tips are neither expected nor encouraged.
Electricity:
Standard 110 volt and US type outlets are used.
Transportation:
Taxis are available and can be called to most locations. Hire
and rental cars, local boats and buses are also available.
Shopping:
Goods include T-shirts with local expressions, handy crafts,
items of local manufacture such as jewelry, carvings and other
local products. All make perfect gifts to remember your visit.
Business Hours:
Business hours are normally from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and
1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. On weekends most
retail outlets are open with some limiting hours from 8:30 a.m.
to 1:30 p.m. Banks and Government Offices are closed. Restaurants
and Bars are open until 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends.
Local Foods:
The staple foods of the island are taro, yam, breadfruit, sweet
potatoes and coconut. The main source of protein are fish, crabs,
clams and pork. Restaurants offer local fare on their menus
along with a wide selection of international dishes.
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