Nippo Maru Dive Site, Micronesia

Diving Overview for Nippo Maru

Nippo Maru has a maximum diving depth of around 50 m / 164 ft and is suitable for all divers. The average visibility is 20+ metres and access to the dive site is by boat.

More Information

The Nippo was a107m long cargo-passenger vessel built in Kobe 1936. It was requisitioned in 1941 and converted to carry munitions and water.

The Nippo arrived in Chuuk Lagoon as part of a convoy carrying in troops one week before she was hit and sunk by three 500lb bombs in the midship during operation 'Hailstorm'. She now lies upright on the bottom in just over 50m of water with a slight list to port.

The deck cargo consisits of several trucks and a fully intact armoured battle tank. Towards the stern are a series of gun mounts and a barrel gun platform. There are four anti-aircraft guns aft and the bridge is complete with ships compass and engine telegraphs. The holds contain munitions and artillery, medical supplies, wheels and tyres, water tanks and beer bottles. The shallower holds are littered with bullets and gas masks.

Maximum depth is 50m, the deck is about 40m deep and the top of the wreck is about 30m. Visibility is fantastic (up to 30m) with no currents.

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