Japanese WWII Destroyer Teruzuki Found After 83 Years

A wartime wreck emerges: First photos in 83 years reveal Akizuki‑class destroyer in remarkable condition.

Wrecks & Archaeology

An international expedition led by the Ocean Exploration Trust and partners, including NOAA and the Naval History and Heritage Command, has confirmed the discovery of the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Teruzuki—lying wrecked at a depth of over 800 metres in Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands.

Press Release
Received from: Emperor Divers

Emperor Divers Launch Brand-New Solomon Islands Dive Centre

Emperor Divers

Building on the outstanding reputation of their Solomon Islands-based liveaboard, Emperor Bilikiki, the new dive centre delivers the same high-quality service for guests looking to explore the spectacular waters of the world-renowned Iron Bottom Sound through daily diving.

After more than 30 years of running world-class dive centres in Egypt, this marks an exciting new chapter as Emperor brings its daily diving expertise to one of the most remote and rewarding destinations on Earth.

World’s Largest Coral Colony Discovered in Solomon Islands

The National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas team uncovered a massive 34-metre-wide coral estimated to be 300 years old during an expedition in October 2024.

Ecology & Science

(Top photo by Manu San Félix, National Geographic Pristine Seas, via press release)

The monumental coral, of the species Pavona clavus, was discovered by researchers of the National Geographic Pristine Seas project during an expedition to the remote Three Sisters Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Initially mistaken for a shipwreck or large rock due to its size, the structure was confirmed to be a single coral colony, surpassing previous records for individual corals.

Press Release
Received from: Emperor Divers

Emperor Divers and Bilikiki Cruises Announce Exciting New Partnership

Emperor Divers

The arrangement will see Emperor promote its new partner to a more global audience using its large customer base and strong market reputation as well as incorporating some of the operational and development work.

Bilikiki is a long-established and highly-regarded company that have delivered wonderful diving experiences to their guests in the Solomon Islands since the 1980s. As one of the only companies to operate in this region, they are undoubted experts in providing top-quality holidays to their guests in this part of the world.

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands, located in the southwestern Pacific region of Melanesia, offer divers a plethora of underwater experiences, from pristine coral reefs to World War II wrecks. Matthew Meier tells of his return to this island oasis, where remnants of the islands’ military history can be viewed on land and under the sea.

Words:
Matthew Meier
Images:
Matthew Meier
➥ Download the full article as pdf ⬅︎
Travel & Trips

I had the privilege of visiting the Solomon Islands in the summer of 2017, 75 years after Allied troops came ashore to launch the Battle of Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942. After nearly three weeks of amazing experiences, I reluctantly departed and vowed to return. In February 2024, I was finally able to do so, and this time, I was excited to introduce my wife to the remote beauty of the Solomons’ pristine coral reefs and the islands’ vast WWII history on display both above and below the water’s surface.

Wreckage of USS Juneau a long-lost WWII cruiser located off Solomon Islands

The Atlanta-class light cruiser was finally found 4,200 meters (about 2.6 miles) below the surface by a shipwreck survey team led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, seventy-six years after it was sunk by a Japanese torpedo during the battle of Guadalcanal.

Wrecks & Archaeology

The Research Vessel R/V Petrel’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) first identified the ship in its side scan sonar on March 17. Upon analysis of the sonar data, the Petrel crew deployed its remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) on March 18 to verify the wreckage through its video capabilities.

Wreck of WWII aircraft carrier USS Wasp found

Research Vessel Petrel discover WWII aircraft carrier USS Wasp only a month after discovering another World War II-era shipwreck, the USS Hornet, which sank not far away, off the Solomon Islands.

Wrecks & Archaeology

On 14 January 2019, the wreck of USS Wasp was located by the research vessel Petrel. The carrier sits upright in 4,345 meters (14,255 feet) of water, though parts of the hull appear to have split.

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Solomon Islands – 75 Years after World War II

My journey to the Solomon Islands began with an exciting dive experience and an unforgettable taste of history. Passing 100ft (30m) on my way down to 170ft (52m), I began to question the intelligence of this decision. I was in a very remote corner of the globe, with minimal surface support, dropping to a very deep depth and all on a single tank of air.

Words:
Matthew Meier
Images:
Download the full article as pdf ⬇︎
Travel & Trips

The plan was simple, descend down the sloping coral reef until we hit the seabed, spend six to seven minutes on the bottom and then begin the slow ascent back to the surface, punctuated by 25 plus minutes of decompression stops. The temptation drawing me to the ocean floor was a somewhat newly discovered and nearly fully intact WWII Corsair fighter plane sitting upright in the sand. Circling her with my camera, I concentrated on controlling my breathing and composing photos, all the while contemplating the ill-fated young US pilot who likely perished when this plane went down.

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