Chuuk's vast lagoon is littered with the largest concentration of diveable ships and aircraft in the world. They are covered in an incredible kaleidoscope of vibrant soft corals, delicate gorgonians, anemones, clams and hard corals that over the decades have transformed the shattered hulks into bizarrely beautiful gardens of color and motion. Schooling fish thrive in these rich habitats and each site is an oasis of marine life nurtured by the warm Pacific waters.

Some wrecks like the popular Fujikawa Maru lie in shallow waters and offer safe and easy access for all levels of diver. Others like the San Francisco Maru lie in depths that only experienced and certified advanced divers should attempt. Thousands of divers come from all over the world to dive "Truk Lagoon" each year. They can choose from land-based or liveaboard dive accommodation and facilities. Both allow divers to experience the lagoon's best wrecks, but the liveaboards offer a better chance of diving the lagoon's outer reefs, while land-based hotels and resorts offer visitors a better opportunity to explore Chuuk's other war relics, history and culture.

The outer reefs are often overlooked but offer a large variety of reef fish, steep coral walls and lots of big pelagic and shark action. Water clarity on these outer reefs is consistent with most of Micronesian reefs and is regularly a stunning 150 foot plus. Visibility on the wrecks inside the Lagoon varies daily depending on weather conditions and ranges from 60 to 100 feet.

The readers of Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine recently rated Micronesia among the best destinations in the world. Truk Lagoon was ranked first in the world for wreck diving, underwater photography and for advanced diving. It was also rated third for best value, fourth for best macro life and sixth in the Pacific overall. The Truk Odyssey was rated the best liveaboard dive boat in the world, as well as the best liveaboard value.

• Dive spots and operators