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Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea, or "PNG" as it is called by the locals, is a land of variety and contradiction, often called the "land of the unexpected". It must be one of the most exciting and remote places left in the world. The country possesses some fantastic dive sites. Deep or shallow reefs, coral walls, sheer drops, barrier reefs, atolls, passages, lagoons and wrecks (many of them W.W.II wrecks), all with a unique variety of species, are found throughout the region. Crystal clear waters, "paradise islands", and mountain ridges covered with thick rainforests or spectacular volcanoes provide an exclusive setting for the best dive vacations imaginable. The fish life is prolific and remarkable.
The four million inhabitants all belong to the ethnic group of Melanesians who live on the western fringes of the Pacific. Some 1000 tribes have 700 different languages but English is the official business language and widely spoken.
Papua New Guinea covers an area of 461,000 square kilometres being double the size of the UK and one of the biggest South Pacific nations. Just south of the equator and only 160 km north of Australia is the main island of "New Guinea" which covers 85% of the nation’s territory. The rest is made up of 600 tropical islands, including the bigger islands like New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville. The western part of the main island, Irian Jaya is part of Indonesia. A huge ridge of high mountains covers the mainland from west to east with peaks such as Mt Willhelm reaching up to 4500 metres.
Overview Of Dive Locations
Papua New Guinea possesses some of the best dive spots in the world. About twice the amount of fish species as compared to the Red Sea and roughly ten times as many species of corals are found here compared to the Caribbean. PNG has been rating constantly very highly with divers. A very special characteristic for PNG's diving is the deep water which comes very close to the shore. Only a couple of feet away from the beaches are vertical dropping reef walls which reach down to 1000 feet or more. This can be found on most parts of the northern coastline, on the southern shores of New Ireland and New Hanover (Kavieng area) as well in some areas of the Milne Bay.
In the more sheltered bays delicate coral formation are spreading to enormous size – typical for Kimbe Bay in West New Britain. Another fantastic dive destination is the Eastern Fields which is to be found 170 km south west of Port Moresby. Located between Papua New Guinea and Australia, the Eastern Fields are a truly unspoilt part of the Coral Sea.
Hundreds of wrecks, many of them W.W.II wrecks are scattered across PNG, above and below the waterline. Boats, planes, barges and submarines, some of them still in excellent condition, have been transformed into living coral reefs. Rabaul, Kavieng, Loloata (Port Moresby) and Madang are good places to go for wreck diving.
KAVIENG on New Ireland is one of the country's most picturesque and tranquil outer island destinations with crystal clear tropical waters teeming with spectacular marine life and relics of World War II. Undisturbed by visitors for many years, Kavieng is a refreshingly new dive location with many sites still to be explored.
MADANG, on the mainland's North Coast, is the visitors 'hub' of PNG. With its lagoons, palm fringed coastline, islands, restaurantsand resorts, Madang is a well equipped base offering both reef and wreck diving. Within the Harbour you can dive on a B25 wreck covered in carnival coloured coral, or drift dive on the change of the tide along 'Magic Passage' past masses of soft and hard coral and huge gorgonia, watch Manta rays glide alongside as large schools of Barracuda cruise by.
RABAUL is a wreck diver’s paradise. Dive in depths from 5 to 50 metres on ships still fully laden with all the materials of wartime. Drop onto the WW2 factory ship "Hakkai Maru", so large it resembles a ten story building, or reflect on the fate of a Mitsubishi bi plane's pilot from the now submerged cockpit seat. Rabaul has 64 known wrecks. Above water sights include Japanese wartime tunnels and bunkers to explore, an active volcano, a bountiful market and spectacular scenery on drives outside Rabaul and to the Gazelle Peninsula.
Visit PNG while it is still relatively undiscovered – it’s a real adventure destination!
The best time to visit here is from October to January and April to late May, but as long as you bring a mac, year round is very possible. Visibility is generally good all year, though it can vary when currents shift seasonally. In early November, you can witness the coral spawn, then plankton blooms and algae blooms.
Worldwise
Liveaboards probably offer the best flexibility and value in diving this huge area. Be careful of baggage allowances and check what is being offered – the final local flights may have severely reduced allowances and large over-weight charges. It is a long way to travel – but that’s the price you pay for diving on the frontier! Take advice on malaria protection.
Getting There
Most visitors arrive by air, specifically from Australia to Port Moresby, although there are direct connections with Singapore, Manila, Honiara (Solomon Islands), Jayapura (Irian Jaya, Indonesia) and Guam. Air Niugini, the national airline, operates between Australia and Asia (in conjunction with Singapore Airlines). Port Moresby is the largest international gateway but another international airport has just opened at Alotau (Milne Bay Province). The departure tax is about US$7; if you overstay your visa, expect to pay a heavy fine before being allowed on the plane.
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BSAC TRAVEL CLUB BOOKSHOP SELECTION
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PNG on Paradise Sport - Steve Pearson
Loloata Resort Island - Richard Booth
Eastern Fields Reef - Richard Booth
Guide to Scuba Diving Papua New Guinea
The Rhinopias is Missing
Back to the Battlefield
A rainy week in PNG
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