Toa Maru Dive Site — Solomon Islands
About Toa Maru
The Toa Maru is a 140-metre Japanese transport ship torpedoed and sunk in 1943 near Vella Lavella Island. Resting on her starboard side at 15-35m, she is one of the most impressive and intact WWII wrecks in the Pacific. Divers can explore the bridge, engine room, and cargo holds — the latter still containing sake bottles, medical supplies, and ammunition. Massive groupers inhabit the interior spaces, and the hull exterior supports a spectacular garden of whip corals and barrel sponges. Grey reef sharks frequently patrol the perimeter. Advanced divers can penetrate deeper sections with proper training, but even an external tour of this colossal vessel is awe-inspiring.
Site Information
- Depth: 15–35 m
- Difficulty: advanced
- Site type: Wreck
- Current: Mild
- Best time: Apr-Nov
- Region: Solomon Islands
Highlights
- WWII Transport Ship
- Munitions
- Historical Artifacts
- Penetration