I-169 Submarine Wreck
伊号第百六十九潜水艦
The only Japanese submarine wreck in the lagoon; it took part in the Pearl Harbor attack and sank in 1944 while diving to escape an air raid, lying at considerable depth
I-169 was a Japanese Navy Kaidai VI-class submarine that took part in the Pearl Harbor operation. In April 1944, while making an emergency dive to evade US air attack near Tonoas in Chuuk, it took on water and sank, with most of its crew lost. The wreck lies at more than 40 m depth. It is the only submarine wreck in the lagoon open to diving, but it is also a war grave, so visitors may observe only from the outside and must not enter the hull. The dive requires good depth and visibility and suits divers with deep or technical experience. Confirm with the dive shop in advance whether it can be arranged.
Opening hours
Dive boats depart by reservation
Nearby sights
- Heian Maru Wreck
- Tonoas (Dublon) Island
- Shinkoku Maru Wreck
- Betty Bomber Wreck
- Eten Island
- San Francisco Maru Wreck
- Fujikawa Maru Wreck
- Nippo Maru Wreck