Chuuk State dive sites

Advanced Open Water certification is the minimum requirement for diving the Shinkoku Maru, as the deck sits at around 30-40 metres. For penetration dives into the engine room or interior spaces, Wreck Diver certification is strongly recommended. The wreck is accessible for recreational divers on the upper sections from about 12 metres depth at the bridge, but deeper exploration requires proper training and equipment.

The interior of the Shinkoku Maru is extraordinarily well preserved. The engine room contains intact machinery, catwalks, and gauges. The doctor's office still has medicine bottles on shelves. The galley retains dishes, sake bottles, and cooking utensils, while personal quarters reveal bunk beds and personal effects. The telegraph, helm, and navigation equipment remain in position on the bridge. It is one of the most artifact-rich wrecks accessible to recreational divers.

Penetration diving on the Shinkoku Maru is considered safe when done with an experienced local guide and proper training. The ship rests upright, passages are large, and silt conditions are generally manageable. Local operators know every compartment and guide divers through established routes with multiple exits. However, overhead environments always carry risk, and divers should carry redundant lights and maintain good buoyancy control.