Starting to plan a trip to Truk/Chuuk - help please
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Hi, Been going there since 1977 at least 2-3 times a year. The flattest seas, and the most sunny days, in the lagoon are usually from May-early Sept. But this is also the typhoon "season" out here. Having said that your chances of being caught in one on Truk, or catching the fringe of one, is pretty remote.
The roughest weather in the lagoon, which is huge, is during the rainy season, which is (usually) from Sept-Dec. Truk, Guam, Yap, and Palau all get a northeast trade wind influence from Dec-mid March.
Another note on the wrecks. You can dive on 95% of them with nitrox, even the San Francisco. The Odyssey reduces the mixture to (I think but forgot exactly) 26%. They also have steel 108's that you can use at no charge for the deeper dives: The Hoki, San Francisco, Aikoku, and Nippo.
Of those four, the Aikoku isn't what she used to be due to collapsing superstructure. The Nippo is truly a great purists wreck so make at least 2 dives on her. The Odyssey usually does. The Hoki has the most unique vehicles inside under the 'tween' decks...at least 14 trucks, tractors, and bulldozers. The SF continues to be the signature wreck but shes really showing her age now.
Biggest myth: Most people think that Truk is just deep diving. Actually, most of the wrecks are between 35-90' unless you like to go under them. Some are even shallower. All are perfect for nitrox. It's also some of the easiest diving you'll every do...jump in and the wrecks are right below you!
The photographers/videographers will be smiling all the time.
Go here to see some of the videos that I've done on the wrecks: Truk Lagoon Videos and Diving. These are some of the older ones on the Odyssey, and the latest on the I-169, last Dec, is here: Guam videos, pt 11.
Hope this helps.
Worked out great. We all had a fabulous time. Now trying to figure out when im going back.
Good to hear. I am also trying to figure out how to get back. I told my wife this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. I am afraid I am going to have to retract that statement.
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OP
Once again everyone - awesome responses and I greatly appreciate all the continued help ... my only concern is that this trip is going to get me hooked and I'm going to have start planning on multiple trips.
I understand that the odyssey books up fast and that I should be (and I am) planning well over a year in advance. I am curious for those that have done this trip, how much time in advance did you leave before you booked your flights? For example - I'm looking at booking on the odyssey for August 2011 - should I be booking my flights now as well (I doubt it), or 6 months out, or some other time frame?
I understand that the odyssey books up fast and that I should be (and I am) planning well over a year in advance. I am curious for those that have done this trip, how much time in advance did you leave before you booked your flights? For example - I'm looking at booking on the odyssey for August 2011 - should I be booking my flights now as well (I doubt it), or 6 months out, or some other time frame?
The Odyssey books up fast for some months, but not others. I think they are full for the month of August in 2011, but check with Cliff.
Getting there and making reservations: You are totally locked into Continental from Guam to Truk and back. Don't use the "island hopper" that goes from Honolulu to Truk thru the other islands unless you want to stay somewhere for a few days. It's a 15 hour flight.
But you have other options on getting (here) to Guam. Delta (NW) Korean Air, Philippine airlines, Japan airlines and a few others all fly here. It's probably way to early to get any specials with any of them, but see if they have any "packages" that you can get. Philippine airlines flies daily from Manila and I know they have what they call a "swingaround package" to visit Guam from the states. Call them and ask for it. This is a significant savings but ya gotta ask for it.
I'd wait and see what packages you can arrange. Airline reservations to come here isn't critical at all unless you use Continental all the way. Reason is is they only have one flight a day from Honolulu (other than the island hopper 3 times a week) but do add a second direct flight in the summer a couple of times a week.
If you're going to travel straight thru...and considering how much you're paying for the overall trip....I highly recommend you spend at least one full day, either on Guam or Truk, to get acclimated. I've been on trips on the Odyssey and at Blue Lagoon with divers that haven't done this and they are literally zombies for the first two days. A few extra dollars for a "body time adjustment" will make the diving much more enjoyable.
How do I know all of this? For 25 years I ran a dive business here (MDA) with a large travel desk. Then sold it and am VERY happily retired doing video's.
Are there any recommended guidebooks to read if planning a trip to Chuuk?
Not a guidebook per se, but the Truk Diver's Bible is surely Dan Bailey's "World War II Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon"
Don't leave home without it!
Or do what I did: Newark-Tokyo 1st Class (14hrs) with all the free Champagne and Sushi you could eat. Then crash the Air France lounge for 6hrs for more champagne and much better sushi. Then fly to Guam from Tokyo where the bar is closed and the Duty Free is to pricey, so you sleep in the dark in the Presidents Club. Wakeup, grab a glass or two of champagne for breakfast, for the short trip to Chuuk. Check into your hotel...and look out the window...and think...
Bet I can't get a frikken Corona and a lime for about 2,500 miles or so!
No Corona? That was one of the beers foisted on us during our Odyssey week, but most of us were from SoCal and preferred the more exotic, i.e. Heinekin! We went through the Heine supplies so fast that they had to resupply midweek.
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