Join Dirty Dozen Expeditions as we explore the world-famous wrecks of Truk Lagoon onboard the Pacific Master with special guest, Jill Heinerth.

Truk Lagoon is often regarded as a deep, technical diving location with big challenging wrecks and advanced penetrations. However, 70% of the more than 40 wrecks lie within 40m depth. Certification prerequisite on a Dirty Dozen expedition are CCR MOD 1 for rebreather divers. For open circuit divers TDI Decompression Procedures or an equivalent rating that allows you to conduct decompression dives to 45m/150ft or deeper with a twinset and enriched air stage cylinders for decompression. Normoxic Trimix qualifications are recommended although not required.

PLEASE NOTE THAT GUEST WISHING TO PENETRATE BEYOND THE LIGHTZONE WILL NEED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF AN ADVANCED OVERHEAD CERTIFICATION (FULL CAVE OR TECHNICAL/ADVANCED WRECK)

Watch our latest Truk Lagoon YouTube video for an idea of expedition life.

Truk (officially Chuuk) Lagoon is one of the most remote diving destinations on the planet. Truk is located just north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean, sitting about 1,800km/1,120mi northeast of New Guinea and part of Chuuk State within the Federated States of Micronesia.

Truk Lagoon is a basic island with poor infrastructure (even when compared to other Micronesian locations such as Palau) which makes operating an expedition here very challenging. But as you will soon find out, the diving we will encounter is one of a kind and it more than makes up for any logistical hassles the team might have to endure to get here.

Diving

Pacific Master will offer guided and unguided dives during this trip on the wrecks that have a permanent mooring. The dive guides in Truk are just that, guides and not instructors or technical diving gurus.

You are responsible for your own safety and dive planning at all times. There are lots of opportunities to penetrate the wrecks. Some of these penetrations are relatively easy and straightforward while others are quite advanced. Dive guides on Pacific Master do not run lines on any guided dives. If you want to run your own lines into the wreck then this is, of course, possible but not on a guided dive. The captain, cruise director, and expedition leader will explain the best course of action on each wreck for penetration.

Solo diving is permitted on the outside of the wrecks. There are big fines (minimum US$10,000) for anyone found removing artifacts from the wrecks.

Environment

Diving conditions in Truk Lagoon are excellent, it is relatively comfortable diving and Truk is ideal to visit all year round in terms of environmental conditions. The water is a warm 28-29oC/82-85oF all year whether you are at 6m/20ft or 60m/200ft, and there are no major thermoclines. While the water is warm enough to dive in just shorts and a t-shirt, we recommend a full-length 3-5mm wetsuit or a drysuit with light undergarments. Also, bring gloves and a hood for protection, especially if you are planning on penetrating the wrecks. There is sharp metal everywhere and you want to avoid tetanus, infections, and burns from oil or even worse, aviation fuel. There are also occasional blooms of jellyfish, some of which can sting.

Tidal patterns within the lagoon can be complex but the tidal range is generally small and any currents encountered on the majority of wrecks are minimal and hardly noticeable.

As you are diving inside the lagoon, visibility does vary. Occasionally, it can drop to less than 10m/33ft in the repair anchorage, 20m/66ft can be expected around Uman and the 6th Fleet Anchorage, and 30m/100ft is the norm in the Fourth Fleet anchorage south of Tonoas, where the deeper wrecks on The Dirty Dozen trip are located.

There is no monsoon or wet/dry season as such. Northeast trade winds blow from November and start to fade away after April when the doldrums start to take over. From July to November, Truk Lagoon comes under the influence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) when moist southerly winds and short tropical disturbances are more frequent. The daytime air temperature is normally between 28-31oC/82-88oF all year round. Rain is normal most days but it normally comes in short sharp showers with hot sunshine in between.

There are no dive shops in Truk Lagoon for the purchase of diving equipment, spares for rebreathers, or OC equipment. Pacific Master will have some basic diving equipment on board for hire, but with different configurations on board it’s crucial that you bring as many spares as possible so you do not miss any dives. If you service your equipment before coming to Truk, please use it a couple times before traveling to ensure there are no problems. Bring plenty of torches, the bigger the better. You will not regret it in the engine rooms!

Cylinders

The following DIN cylinders are available on Pacific Master: 

» Aluminum 12L/80 cu ft Twinsets
» Sidemount Sets
» 3L/23 cu ft, 2L/15 cu ft Rebreather Cylinders

» 6-12L/40-80 cu ft Bailout Cylinders
There are no M26 valves or adapters onboard, you must bring your own. Bring your own slings for deco/bailout!

Please specify the configurations you will dive in when you book.

Gases

Latest oxygen and helium prices can be found on our website.
All Nitrox mixes from 32-94% will be available. O2 is provided at a minimum 94% purity from our Oxygen generator.

As there is no means to bank gasses in Truk Lagoon, all gasses supplied will be charged for, even if they are not used. CCR divers can arrange shared cost, team bailout gasses at the beginning of the expedition. After a brief discussion on the first evening, we can fill some standardized gasses which everybody agrees will work for the entire trip.

OC divers can plan their gas cost by looking at the wreck list and assuming there are two dives on one wreck each day. We think it’s fair for OC divers to budget for around US$300 in oxygen charges, given you’ll be topping up 50% and oxygen every day. But remember, it’s all based on your planning and consumption.

Sofnolime

Molecular Sofnolime 1-2.5mm is available and is sold in 22kg/44lb containers. The latest price can be found on our website.

Scooters

Two DiveXtra BlackTip scooters are available on Pacific Master and can be reserved for $50USD per dive.

Diving Emergencies

There is a recompression chamber available in Truk manned by volunteers. The chamber is located on private land away from the hospital and has no supporting medical facility. The facility is basic and availability of the chamber cannot be guaranteed. Serious DCI cases may involve medivac to Guam or elsewhere. With this in mind, it is mandatory that our guests purchase dive and liveaboard-specific insurance according to their level of certification. This insurance needs to cover air evacuation and the appropriate depths you plan to dive to. We strongly urge that all guests dive well within recognized limits and follow our advice.

Please click the following link for more information about our preferred insurance provider:

DiveAssure Insurance

Our expedition vessels are equipped with fully stocked medical first aid kits for treating minor injuries and ailments as well as for assisting trained medical professionals in remote locations. Each yacht has a full complement of medical-grade oxygen which can be administered to divers through DAN kits or unit-specific attachments. You will also find an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on board. AEDs have been proven to greatly increase survival rates in the eventuality of cardiac fibrillation. Our dive teams are all qualified emergency responders. Should you feel unwell at any point during your cruise, please seek the advice of your cruise director who will be able to assist you.

Medical Treatment

In Truk Lagoon medical care is very basic and any form of treatment other than the most simple requires evacuation. Ensure you bring any medication you need as there is a strong possibility that it will not be available locally. Normal precautions should be taken with food and it is advisable to drink bottled water only.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required before entering the FSM, however, we recommend consulting with your doctor for updated information prior to departure. If you are traveling from a Yellow Fever area, proof of immunization might be required. It’s recommended that tetanus immunizations are also up to date before traveling to Truk. The FSM are a malaria-free zone and mosquitoes are not a problem on the boat. But they can be annoying on shore, so consider bringing insect repellent. The Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses have all been reported in the FSM, and are spread by mosquitoes.

Flights

You should book your international flight to and from Truk Airport (TKK), which is served by United Airlines. Flights run three times per week from Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) and Guam (GUM). We highly recommend arriving into Truk 48-hours prior to embarkation day to allow time for delayed flights, missed connections, and lost baggage.

Ideally, you will arrive in Honolulu or Guam one day prior to your flight to Truk, as this flight departs early in the morning. Keep in mind that you will be crossing the date line when traveling from Honolulu.

Flying United Airlines is not a choice, it’s the only airline that goes from Guam or Honolulu to Truk. Guam is a US territory and Hawaii is a US state, therefore non-US citizens transiting through Guam or Hawaii will need permission to enter the US either by Visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

Visa

For most visitors, a free 30-day tourist visa is granted on arrival in the FSM, this can be extended for up to 90 days. US citizens can stay for one year. Passports should be valid for 6 months after the departure date and guests must have booked onward travel from the FSM before they arrive. There is a departure tax of US$30, payable in cash, when leaving Truk. It is important that you have the necessary arrangements sorted out before you travel.

Visitors from countries other than the US should check the Visa requirements for the passport they hold.

Arrival

It is highly recommended that you plan to arrive in Truk several days before the cruise start date to allow time to acclimatize, and in case of flight cancellations or delayed baggage. Hotel accommodation in Truk is basic and limited so booking in advance is essential. The Blue Lagoon Resort and Truk Stop Hotel have dive center facilities, while L5 Hotel is close to the airport and has the best WiFi connectivity.

On embarkation day you will be picked up from your hotel, or the airport, by the boat transport mid-afternoon.

Food

All Master Liveaboards yachts offer a choice of international and local cuisine, served buffet style in the indoor, air-conditioned dining area. We cater to special dietary requirements. Please inform our reservations team prior to your trip to ensure we have plenty of dishes to suit your needs. A range of carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, black, green, and herbal teas are available, as well as instant and freshly brewed coffee. A selection of fresh fruit is always on hand, as well as some tasty treats in case you feel peckish in between meal times. You may also select beer, wine, or spirits from the cocktail bar for an additional fee.

Clothing

It is recommended that our guests bring casual and comfortable clothes. Think swimwear, shorts, and t-shirts. A sweater is advised for cooler nights, particularly after multiple dives. We request that guests respect others by wearing clothing at all meal times. Most guests prefer to walk barefoot on board our vessel, however, island visits may require sturdy sandals or cross-trainers.

Electricity

Local electricity is 110-volt supplied through American two-pin and three-pin sockets. Onboard Pacific Master we have 220-volt power points supplied through Australian Type-I sockets. There are a number of sockets at the camera tables in the dining area. Pacific Master can provide a limited number of UK, European, and US plug adapters but recommends guests bring their own.

Gratuities

Tipping is a matter of personal choice. Should you feel that your crew has made your expedition extra special, then they will certainly appreciate a tip. Please be advised that the boat can only accept cash tips. An envelope will be provided for your convenience by the cruise director and gratuities are divided equally between all the crew, including the captain and the dive guides. If you would like to tip we recommend approx. 5-10% of the trip price.

Smoking on board is permitted in designated outdoor areas.

This custom-designed liveaboard was built with divers in mind to bring you the very best diving expedition experience possible in Truk Lagoon. Previously sailing the Solomon Islands as Taka, conducting high-level wreck exploration dives like the USS Atlanta, this steel-hulled vessel boasts an experienced boat crew, dive team, gas blenders, and chefs to ensure the highest standards of service.

Accommodation

M/V Pacific Master features 12 cabins allowing comfortable accommodation for up to 20 guests. These are categorized into one en-suite premium double cabin (couples only), five en-suite classic double/ twin cabins, four standard twin cabins with shared bathroom facilities., and four standard single cabins with shared bathroom facilities.

An incredibly spacious lounge and dining area is located on the main deck of the boat providing plenty of air-conditioned space to unwind and enjoy the phenomenal onboard cuisine after an exciting day of diving. This deck also boasts a dedicated camera area for our photography guests as well as an expansive dive deck area which leads perfectly to the dive platform from which much of the diving will be done. Each dive station has plenty of space and storage for your technical diving kit. This space also provides individual toilets, fresh water showers, and rinse tanks for your equipment.

Guest facilities

- 12 twin-bed/double/single-bed A/C and en suite cabins for 20 guests
- Spacious indoor dining area with a camera station, complete with numerous charging points and storage facilities
- The dive deck provides individual set up stations, under-bench storage, and a camera table
- Large entry platform to the rear and staff deckhands to assist with entry and exit
- Booster to fill O2 to 200 bar
- Oxygen generator
- Indoor lounge and bar with a plasma screen for planning expedition dives
- Plenty of space to set up rebreathers and fill scrubbers
- Big rinsing tubs
- Shaded outdoor relaxation area with lounge chairs

- Sundeck and captain’s bridge
- One dive tender for doing exploratory wrecks
- Brand new, customized expedition tec diving facilities 

- Starlink internet (additional charges apply)

Check out what previous guests had to say about their experiences in Truk Lagoon.

Jill Heinerth, Explorer in Residence, Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Author, INTO THE PLANET - My Life as a Cave Diver
“The Dirty Dozen experience makes diving iconic Truk Lagoon safe and simple. Through the leadership of Aron Arngrimsson and his team, a carefully curated small group of conscientious and skilled technical divers can have an unequaled experience diving the less frequently explored wrecks in the lagoon.

When you can sit on top of the wreck and be supported by an experienced team of safety divers, guides and crew, then anything is possible. I can’t recall a trip where I have had a better experience. I value organizations like Dirty Dozen Expeditions that prioritize the safety and comfort of the guests.
It is hard to imagine, but we had more crew than passengers. I was moved by the history, enlightened by the beauty of the marine life and inspired by the leadership of the organization. I’ll be going back as soon as I can!"

Richard Lundgren, Co-Founder of Global Underwater Explorers

“My memories still linger from my last adventures with Dirty Dozen Expeditions and Global Underwater Explorers (GUE). Memories of a lifetime. A year ago, a team of GUE divers set up a wreck diving expedition to the remote and rarely visited Bikini Atoll together with adventure diving company Dirty Dozen Expeditions. The results and experiences during the expedition made it compelling to look forward and plan the next adventure following the same narrative.

The target, the wrecks of Chuuk Lagoon, came as naturally as our continued collaboration with Dirty Dozen Expeditions. We also chose to continue to use and rely upon the excellent liveaboard with its world- class service and crew well-catered for technical diving — just the way we like it. Traveling into Chuuk is much easier and less of an adventure compared to getting to Bikini. A short jump from mainland Asia (the Philippines in my case) to Guam and then onwards on the island hopper to the next stop heading east, Chuuk Lagoon. Approaching the islands of Chuuk from the air is impressive, the islands are beautiful and green with mountains and hills. You can see the artificial extension to the small island of Etten, where the Japanese army built its strategic air force base during the war.
Setting up for technical diving onboard, in our case involving rebreathers, is easy even if at GUE we depend on a standardized configuration different to most. The divers bring their own key components, including special cylinder valves with a flexible manifold. The rest is supplied by the ship. Oxygen is produced onboard using an oxygen generator. An oxygen generator cannot produce 100% oxygen, only 92-96% and as such, special procedures are needed if diving a fully-closed rebreather in order to get the calibration of the oxygen sensors right among other things.
Helium is available and required for the wrecks deeper than 30m/100 ft. We used 18/45 Trimix as our standard diluent mix. A clear head and lots of fun memories are what we’re looking for after all. My total setup time was less than 30 minutes thanks to the boat’s excellent crew.
Underwater: picture yourself in a well-kept aquarium, no current, warm waters, and great visibility. What more can you ask for? Well, wrecks of course, and Chuuk Lagoon does not fail to deliver those. My favorite penetrations involve the engine rooms where one can still study the gauges and telegraphs frozen in time. The diving is truly world-class if you are passionate about wreck diving and history. After 10 days diving it’s time to depart, not because you want to, more that you have to, sadly. The diving in Chuuk is so good that another week would not have been sufficient to satisfy my appetite for adventure.
Compared to the wrecks in Bikini Atoll, well, it’s like comparing apples and pears, both are delicious in their own way and the only choice you have is not to chose one, but to enjoy both. I enjoyed Chuuk and Bikini tremendously and will undoubtedly return to both for more adventures.”

Joseph Fellows - Scientific Diver, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

“Bucket List Check!

I’m trying to put together the words to describe the adventure to Truk Lagoon with the Dirty Dozen Expeditions... not easy!
A trip of this magnitude is daunting to say the least especially if you’re not a world traveler. There are a lot of moving parts from the preparations, gear considerations, and travel to such a remote location. Aron and his Team made all of this so easy for me through continual guidance, Zoom meetings, and online resources. The most difficult thing was making the decision to go...the rest fell into place perfectly!
The crew of the Pacific Master were fantastic and completely accommodated all of my needs fully. I am so happy I decided to go and I left with such amazing friends and memories.
I can’t wait for the next adventure...life is way too short to wait....GO!”

Payment Schedule

Booking deposit (non-refundable)                            25% 

Payment 2 - 12 months prior to departure               25% 

Balance payment - 6 months prior to departure   50%

Terms & Conditions

All bookings are subject to the provisions in our "Terms and Conditions" and "Payment and Cancellation Terms" found on our website:
Terms & Conditions
Payment & Cancellation Terms

Booking a Dirty Dozen Expedition offers you a unique and unparalleled experience, distinct from conventional travel offerings. This exclusive expedition is meticulously crafted to cater to technical divers and dive teams, providing an extraordinary journey evolved from thousands of hours of wreck exploration.

At Dirty Dozen Expeditions we understand and respect the effort you will put into your trip of a lifetime, be it the funds and time spent on equipment and training or time away from family and work - we know how much it means to get your trip just right. We pride ourselves in providing first-hand knowledge and experience of technical diving in every destination we book, and so can offer you the very best advice and guidance on all aspects of your journey.

We believe it’s the little things that make the biggest difference, from direct access to company founder, Aron Arngrimsson, to making life-long friends as part of #teamdd. This is what you can expect from your Dirty Dozen Expedition:

• We are available by email or phone whenever you need to ask questions about your trip, from the moment you sign up until well after you return home;
• Our team have visited and dived all the destinations we book, so you are guaranteed the most accurate and experienced guidance;
• Solo travelers are welcomed and supported within our dive team culture, while established groups are given the freedom to dive and explore as they prefer;
• A Dirty Dozen Expeditions Leader onboard every trip will support and assist guests with daily expedition life;
• Safety is at the forefront of every expedition and we pride ourselves on being industry leaders in the use of ’splash checklists’, gas management procedures, and other onboard safety protocols;
• We offer our customers a FREE Human Factors in Diving (Fundamentals) training course with every booking;
• The option to pre-pay for onboard consumables to avoid hefty bills at the end of your trip;
• Access to preferential Trip Insurance rates with our preferred partner, DiveAssure:
• Expedition members are invited to 2 team Zoom meetings before every expedition, one to
  assist with long-term planning and one to answer final queries shortly before departure;
• A team WhatsApp group is set up 12 months before each trip to support planning, answer questions, and develop teamwork and camaraderie in the run-up to the expedition;
• Many of our trips feature special guests, certification agencies, or manufacturers, giving you
  the opportunity to meet and dive with some industry greats!
• Every team member receives a complimentary expedition t-shirt and water bottle, as well as
  novelty stickers and postcards as a souvenir of your time with #teamdd;
• Many trips feature a photographer/videographer who will document your time onboard and
  underwater to provide long-lasting memories.
  

And this is all on top of the standard trip inclusions listed further down the page! 

We believe in transparent pricing with as many inclusions as possible to avoid unexpected charges at the end of your trip. While our trip price may appear higher than some other operators, this should help you plan for the realistic costs of this type of dive expedition and avoid nasty surprises down the road. 

We hope you agree that booking with Dirty Dozen Expeditions will provide you with an experience quite unlike any other, and that we are the premier choice when it comes to technical diving expeditions.