Dive Site: Toa Maru

About Toa Maru

The Toa Maru is a prominent Japanese transport ship sunk during WWII off Gizo in the Solomon Islands' Western Province. At approximately 140 meters long, it offers a substantial wreck dive, ranked among the world's best. The ship rests on its starboard side in a sheltered bay, allowing for exploration within recreational dive limits. Originally carrying various supplies, the wreck now showcases artifacts such as fuel drums, timber, trucks, bags of cement, sake bottles, steel girders, ammunition, and even a two-man tank. These items are scattered both inside and around the vessel, providing a rich historical tapestry. The Toa Maru is a vibrant artificial reef, attracting a wide array of marine life including turtles, rays, and occasional sharks. Its clear waters and diverse ecosystem make it an excellent site for underwater photography. The site's conditions are generally favorable year-round, with warm water temperatures and good visibility. Diving the Toa Maru typically involves exploring from the stern towards the bow, navigating through crew quarters and dining areas. The wreck's depth range makes it accessible for various certification levels, though its vastness and interior penetration opportunities are particularly appealing to experienced wreck divers.

Dive site facts: Toa Maru

Depth

12–38 m

Current

Mild

Visibility

20–30 m

Water temperature

27–31 °C

Entry

Boat / Tender

Level

Open Water Diver, Wreck specialty recommended

Dive type

Wreck, Historical, Reef

Region / port

Gizo, Western Province

Coordinates

-8.0833, 156.8333

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Toa Maru are generally mild, especially within the sheltered bay where the wreck rests. This makes for a comfortable dive experience, allowing ample time for detailed exploration of the ship's structure and cargo. Visibility is typically good, often exceeding 20 meters, though it can fluctuate with weather patterns and tidal movements. Entry and exit are usually managed from a tender boat, with divers descending directly onto the wreck. The relatively calm conditions and clear waters make the site suitable for divers to focus on buoyancy control, essential for navigating around the historical artifacts and within the wreck's interior.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green Sea Turtle

occasional

Stingray

occasional

Reef Shark

occasional

Schooling Snapper

common

Barracuda

occasional

Fusilier

common

Anemonefish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Angelfish

common

Sponge

common

Gorgonian Coral

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at the Toa Maru typically begins by descending to the stern, which lies at approximately 30 meters. From here, you'll trace the length of the 140-meter vessel, which rests on its starboard side. The route leads towards the bow, gradually ascending to shallower depths. Along the way, explore the open cargo holds where you can spot trucks, cement bags, and even sake bottles. Interior penetration into the crew quarters and dining areas is possible for appropriately trained divers. The turn point is usually dictated by air consumption and bottom time, often around the ship's midsection or bow. Your safety stop will be conducted in the shallower parts of the wreck or along the adjacent reef structure, allowing you to observe smaller reef fish and corals before ascending to the surface.

Underwater photography

The Toa Maru offers exceptional opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the impressive scale of the wreck, including its full length, the intact tank, and the various cargo items like trucks and fuel drums. Natural light filtering into the shallower sections and through openings provides dramatic effects, especially when capturing divers exploring the interior. For macro enthusiasts, the wreck's surfaces are covered in corals and marine growth, hosting a variety of small reef inhabitants and nudibranchs. External strobes are beneficial for illuminating the darker areas and bringing out the vibrant colors of corals and fish. Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid stirring up silt and to protect the historical artifacts and delicate marine life.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Grumman Hellcat Wreck

  Shallow WWII fighter plane wreck, ideal for both diving and snorkeling.

• Leru Cut

  A unique canyon dive with stunning light shafts and a diverse wall outside.

• Twin Tunnels

  Volcanic lava tubes leading to a deep coral wall with abundant fish life.

• Njari Island - Manta Point

  Known for manta ray sightings.

Getting there & logistics

Access to the Toa Maru typically involves flying into Honiara International Airport (HIR) or Munda International Airport (MUA). From Honiara, domestic flights or liveaboard services connect to Gizo, the nearest town to the dive site. Munda also offers direct flights from Brisbane and twice-daily connections to Honiara. Liveaboards like the Bilikiki or Solomons Master often include Gizo and its wrecks in their itineraries, offering multi-day trips that combine various dive sites across the Western Province. Day trips from Gizo-based dive operators are also common. While specific park fees for Toa Maru are not detailed, general dive operations in the Solomon Islands usually cover permits as part of their package.

Safety & environment

Diving the Toa Maru requires careful attention to safety protocols due to the nature of wreck diving and potential for interior penetration. Divers should be appropriately certified for wreck diving if they plan to enter overhead environments. The nearest recompression chamber is likely in Honiara, underscoring the importance of conservative dive planning and reliable dive insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Evacuation from Gizo to Honiara would typically involve local flights or sea transport, which can be limited. Always dive with a reputable local operator and ensure your equipment is in excellent condition. Adhere to all guide instructions, maintain neutral buoyancy to prevent damage to the wreck and marine life, and never remove artifacts from the site.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Toa Maru FAQ

Liveaboards diving Toa Maru

These liveaboards may visit Toa Maru on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Solomons Master

Solomon Islands

16 guests

$401/day

Emperor Bilikiki

Solomon Islands

20 guests38 m

$561/day

Pacific Master

Solomon Islands

20 guests30 m

$268/day