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A group of scuba divers exploring a submerged shipwreck in the deep blue waters of Saudi Arabia.
📷 Ayden Zaki · Pexels

Tokai Maru

3.4 — based on 13 community signals
4.3 12 species 30 contributors

Explore the Tokai Maru wreck off the U.S. coast, a historic armed merchantman dive rich with maritime history and marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate

Top operators here

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Map

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Tokai Maru location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11.9 kn
Wave
1.62 m
Water
29.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SSE (31%)
Now: WSW (253°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.71m

Today: High 15:00 (+0.73m), Low 07:00 (+0.25m)

+0.9 m+0.2 m
▼ 07:00 · +0.25m ▲ 15:00 · +0.73m ▼ 19:00 · +0.68m ▲ 00:00 · +0.74m Now +0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.8 · high Air PM2.53 · good 06:10 18:19
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 13 1.68 8 9mm
09-20 7.3 1.48 9 6mm
09-21 11.3 1.38 9 21mm
09-22 11.3 1.3 6 28mm
09-23 7.9 1.18 4 6mm
09-24 7.4 1.04 2 15mm
09-25 6.2 0.78 7 7mm

About this spot

The Tokai Maru wreck is a fascinating dive destination for history buffs and wreck enthusiasts. This armed merchantman offers a unique window into maritime heritage, attracting divers year-round. The wreck structure provides excellent habitat for marine species, and the site shows no signs of coral stress, making it a healthy dive environment. Divers have documented 12 distinct species observations at this site, indicating robust marine populations. The wreck's artificial reef effect supports diverse fish and invertebrate communities. Community videos available online showcase the wreck's layout and marine activity, helping divers prepare for their descent. The site sits outside marine protected areas, simplifying access logistics. Year-round diving conditions mean you can plan your trip based on your schedule rather than seasonal windows. Whether you're a wreck diver seeking historical artifacts or a marine life photographer hunting shots, the Tokai Maru delivers both interest and opportunity in a single descent.

📖 Guide: Diving in the United States: 87 Sites From Springs to Open Ocean

Dive types

Wreck

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 120V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 12048km · ~2771kg · €50

FAQ

When is the best time to dive the Tokai Maru?

The Tokai Maru can be dived year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your personal schedule and travel preferences rather than seasonal conditions.

What marine life will I see at the Tokai Maru?

Divers have documented 12 species observations at this wreck site. The structure acts as an artificial reef, supporting healthy populations of fish and invertebrates. Coral shows no stress, indicating a thriving underwater environment.

Do I need special permits to dive the Tokai Maru?

The Tokai Maru sits outside marine protected areas, which simplifies access and permitting requirements. Check local regulations with your dive operator for any additional requirements.

How can I learn more about the dive before going?

Three community videos are available online showing the wreck layout and marine activity. These resources are excellent for familiarizing yourself with the site and planning your descent.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

MDA (Piti Shop)

5.7 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

60 records · 48 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Veronicella cubensis

Gastropoda · Veronicellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×3records

Carcharhinus melanopterus

Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Jan 2026
×1records

Isopora palifera

Anthozoa · Acroporidae
GBIF
Last seen:
19 Jan 2026
×1records

Cymo quadrilobatus

Malacostraca · Xanthidae
GBIF
Last seen:
18 Jan 2026
×1records

Grapsus tenuicrustatus

Malacostraca · Grapsidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Jan 2026
×1records

Taeniurops meyeni

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
11 Jan 2026
×1records

Thuridilla gracilis

Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Thuridilla bayeri

Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Costasiella kuroshimae

Gastropoda · Costasiellidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Lamprohaminoea ovalis

Gastropoda · Haminoeidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Jan 2026
×1records

Stichopus chloronotus

Holothuroidea · Stichopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Jan 2026
×1records

Thalamita admete

Malacostraca · Portunidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Jun 2014
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Tokai Maru and SMS Cormoran Dive

Stephanie Batzer
💬 1 top comments
  • Looks like fun!

    @ScubaDubaDive · 👍 0

World War I & World War II Shipwreck Dives - CORMORAN II & TOKAI MARU

Going Into the Deep

Part 1 - Tokai Maru and SMS Cormoran, Apra Harbor, Guam

Mark Dunn

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Hi. I believe a certain Tag is missing here(relation/14099676), because there is already another administrative boundary with admin level 4 for the island of Guam(relation/306001) with the EEZ included. Does it really make sense to have two admin level=4 elements for Guam?"

    MrSledge · 2022-09-15
  • "The name is incorrect. This is the Asan Inland Unit of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park. The actual Mount Alifan Unit is further south, in Agat/Santa Rita below Mount Alifan."

    anonymous · 2020-10-17
wind peaks Feb-Dec-Apr, calmest Jul-Aug-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Apr (100/100) Worst: Jul (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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