Papua New Guinea, PNG
Papua New Guinea, PNG
The land of breathtaking landscapes and marine biodiversity
Beyond marine biodiversity, divers come to Papua New Guinea to experience unique and exotic experiences in one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with 839 spoken languages and hundreds of ethnic groups, ancestral traditions of art, carving, and body decoration. A land with many mysteries yet uncovered. Papua Nugini is one of the least visited and known regions on the planet, protected by a wild nature that hides the richness of indigenous cultures. Papua New Guinea, made up of the eastern half of the large island of Papua and groups of small tropical islands, is virtually untouched and unexplored, on the edge of the modern world: one of the last frontiers for nature and diving lovers.
SCUBA DIVING
Papua New Guinea is a once-in-a-lifetime diving trip. The warm waters are rich in coral reefs that harbor a wealth of marine life. Aircraft and submarine wrecks scattered throughout the region bear witness to the violent battles of World War II. Once instruments of death, time and nature have transformed them into sources of life, sheltered in the coral gardens that have grown there. Spectacular jungle-covered landscapes, towering mountains, active volcanoes, large rivers flowing slowly through the forest, and unique flora and fauna promise travel experiences that will live long in your memory, along with the fantastic dives. Papua New Guinea is a top-class destination for diving.
DIVE SITES
PORT MORESBY
Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, overlooks a beautiful bay, and due to flight schedules, it’s often necessary to spend at least one night upon arrival or departure. Loloata Island, just a 30-minute boat ride from Port Moresby, offers more than 30 dive sites, walls, canyons, coral reefs, and three wrecks. The dives are excellent, especially for macro observation. A great option for a diving holiday is the Loloata Resort.
A great option for a diving holiday is the Loloata Resort.
KIMBE BAY
Kimbe Bay is on the northern coast of the New Britain region and is a hotspot for marine life. Walindi, in particular, features stunning underwater pinnacles and boasts 190 coral reefs, representing 70% of the Indo-Pacific’s coral species. The diversity of underwater habitats is breathtaking and supports approximately 900 fish species. In addition to these colorful fish, the waters are home to orcas, whales, dugongs, dolphins, nudibranchs, rare small crabs, and many other fascinating creatures.
Many renowned photographers have captured remarkable images in the Walindi area. Visitors can explore Kimbe Bay by staying at the Walindi Resort or taking a cruise on the Febrina.
WALINDI PLATATION RESORT
Walindi Plantation Resort opened in 1983 and has been managed by the same family ever since, now in its third generation. The resort has 20 rooms spread across two types of bungalows and plantation houses. The common area includes a restaurant, lounge, bar, pool, boutique, and bookstore.
Diving is via boat trips around Kimbe Bay. Walindi is actively involved in environmental protection and conservation, educating the local population and installing fixed boat anchors at all dive sites.
KAVIENG
Kavieng is located in the far north of New Ireland Province, just two degrees below the equator. During World War II, the Japanese transformed Kavieng into one of the largest naval bases in the Pacific. Today, numerous shipwrecks can be visited, silent witnesses to history. Nusa Harbor, the principal city, has a spectacular location, with mountainous islands sinking rapidly into the ocean, small coral islets surrounded by reefs, and golden beaches.
Kavieng is famous for its passage, whose currents attract large pelagic fish. Visibility is usually between 20 and 40 meters. Dives among deep walls covered with sponges, fans, and vibrantly colored corals allow you to dive among them. Additionally, numerous vibrant shipwrecks can be visited in Kavieng Bay.
LISSENUNG ISLAND RESORT
Lissenung is a small dive resort with just four rooms on a small white-sand island surrounded by coconut trees and beautiful coral reefs. The four bungalows, built with local materials, are scattered around the island to ensure complete privacy for guests during their stay.
The diving day includes two or three daily dives, always by boat: the first two in the morning, returning for lunch, and the third dive in the afternoon for those who wish to do so. For divers completing at least two daily boat dives, free dives are available on the main reef in the afternoon. Night dives, for a fee, also take place on the main reef. Lissenung is ideal for observing pelagic fish in the passage with strong currents, not to mention the macro diving, which is exceptional.
TUFI
Tufi is a remote and unspoiled region at the tip of Cap Nelson in Oro Province. A one-hour flight from Port Moresby, Tufi is known as the “Scandinavia of the Tropics” for its deep fjords, carved not by glaciation, but by ancient eruptions of three volcanoes.
Tufi offers an impressive variety of marine life and different types of diving, including open sea, wreck diving, and fjord diving. For macro photography enthusiasts, you’ll find nudibranchs, mandarin fish, ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses, crabs, and other rare species. Pelagic fish, tuna, manta rays, and turtles are common sightings. The absence of currents in the fjords has allowed for spectacular coral growth. A few minutes by boat takes you to a barrier reef that plunges 600 meters, offering over 30 meters of visibility and abundant marine life. Reef fish, barracudas, Spanish mackerel, tuna, manta rays, sea eagles, whitetip, and blacktip reef sharks. Among the wrecks are ships, planes, and tanks. Dive and stay at the Tufi Resort.
TUFI RESORT
Tufi Resort is located 250 km east of Port Moresby, at the tip of Cap Nelson, surrounded by beautiful tropical fjords and coral reefs. The Tufi is a personalized boutique resort on top of a stunning fjord with 180° panoramic views of the sea, fjords, and mountains. Rooms have an en suite bathroom, air conditioning, mosquito nets, minibars, hairdryers, coffee and tea facilities, and terraces with views of the coral reef or fjord. The main building houses the reception, lounge, TV room, and restaurant. Outside, there is a panoramic terrace with a barbecue and pool. The menu is based on fish, vegetables, fruit, or grilled meat and fish. We also offer a wide selection of Australian beers and wines.
MILNE BAY
Milne Bay is a large bay featuring a variety of dive sites, including muck diving, coral walls, pinnacles, coral gardens, and WWII wrecks. Trips to Milne Bay can be organized through a resort or on a cruise.
TAWALI RESORT
The Tawali is a dive resort in a remote area of Milne Bay, surrounded by fishing villages and accessible only by boat. The resort features traditional Papuan art, including totems and sculptures. Covered walkways connect the various bungalows. The rooms are spacious and equipped with two queen-sized beds, a lounge area, a closet, and a desk. The private bathrooms are modern in design. All the bungalows have a balcony overlooking the bay.
To reach Tawali, you first fly from Port Moresby to Alotau. From there, it takes about 90 minutes by car along the Milne Bay coastline, followed by a 20-minute boat ride.
DIVING SEASON
Papua New Guinea offers year-round diving, but the high season and best conditions are typically between May and November. Specific regions within Papua New Guinea have slightly different optimal diving seasons:
- Kavieng and Kimbe Bay: May to November.
- Milne Bay: November to January, with September being manta season.
- Tufi: August to November.
- Loloata Island and Bootless Bay (near Port Moresby): November to early December.
- Solomon Sea: Year-round. Bismarck Sea: May to November.
- South Pacific and Coral Sea: December to April.
HOW TO GET THERE
You’ll need a visa to enter PNG, and you should apply for one before travel, planning your trip according to your country of origin:
- To get to Papua New Guinea from Europe, you need to plan a multi-leg journey, primarily involving air travel. Then, you’ll likely need to fly to a major hub in Southeast Asia like Singapore, Hong Kong, or Manila, before connecting to a flight to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.
- To get to Papua New Guinea (PNG) from the USA, you need to book flights with at least one stopover, as there are no direct flights. Major US airports like Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) often offer flights to hubs in Asia or Australia (like Brisbane or Sydney), where you can connect to flights to Port Moresby, PNG’s capital.
- To get to Papua New Guinea from Asia by air, you need to fly with one of the several airlines connecting major Asian hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila, and Guangzhou with Port Moresby, the capital, with flight times ranging from 5 to 7 hours.
LIVEABOARD & PRIVATE CHARTERS
FEBRINA LIVEABOARD
The “old” Febrina, in service since 1991, is a traditional style boat, stable and with good sailing skills, famous among divers worldwide, especially among photographers. The master/owner has been on duty since the beginning of operations. The great experience and perfect knowledge of the region are guarantee of successful cruises.
Febrina offers a variety of cabin options, including small singles, large singles, doubles, and twin beds, all with private bathrooms and air conditioning. The liveaboard accommodates 10 to 12 divers.
OCEANIA LIVEABOARD
Oceania is a 27-meter catamaran that entered service in 2019 and is based in the Bismarck Sea. The eight cabins are on the upper deck and have sea views. All cabins have air conditioning, a private bathroom, and one double or two single beds. The common areas include an air-conditioned restaurant and lounge, as well as a sun terrace.
In high season, September, October, November and April, May, June Febrina and Oceania operate cruises of 9-10 nights, between Kimbe Bay, Witu Island and Fathers Reef, in these months the climate is excellent, the water temperatures is around 28-30 degrees. During the months of June, July, August and December cruises last 8 nights.
CHERTAN LIVEABOARD
Chertan, refurbished in 2014, has been in service since 1994 and is the only liveaboard operating in Milne Bay. Measuring 18 meters in length and with only five cabins, it can accommodate up to 10 divers. Chertan Liveaboard offers unlimited diving in PNG.
Chertan’s Cruise Director, with over 25 years of experience in the region, is the best dive guide available on-site, guaranteeing excellent dives. Chertan offers a wide range of subjects, from macro photography to pelagic fishing, with visits to fishing villages during free time for a complete immersion in the local culture. Chertan’s base is Alotau, the departure and arrival port for its dive cruises.
