SCUBA DIVING
Papua New Guinea sits completely within the Coral Triangle. Its tropical, crystal clear waters are abound with fish and coral not seen elsewhere on the planet!
PNG occupies the eastern portion of the island of New Guinea, the second largest island in the world. Situated directly north of Australia, it consists of a mainland with some 600 islands, of which New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville are the largest.
PNG is recognised internationally as one of the best scuba diving locations in the world with twice as many marine species as the waters of the Red Sea, and up to ten times as many as the Caribbean. It has become known as an underwater photographer’s paradise with many international award-winning photos being taken in PNG waters.
The country is surrounded by the Bismarck, Coral and Solomon Seas whose constant movements feed and enrich the marine environment. With 17,000 km of coastline and 45,000 sq kms of reef systems, divers can enjoy minimal contact with other dive groups. The immense diversity of sites include barrier reefs, coral walls, coral gardens, patch reefs, fringing reefs, wall and drift dives, sea grass beds, coral atolls and World War II wrecks.
Many dive operators offer dive instruction, scuba gear hire and a range of other services, including Nitrox.
Diving is possible all year round in Papua New Guinea, with different areas better than others depending on the time of year. Water temperature ranges from 26°C along the edge of the Coral Sea and up to 31°C in the Bismarck Sea, with visibility from 50 to 150 feet – dependent on wet season and local micro climate.
Papua New Guinea has its own hyperbaric recompression facility located in Port Moresby and is operated under Divers Alert Network (DAN) standards.
MV FEBRINA AND OCEANIA
Padi Accredited
Several Itineraries out of Kimbe, Rabaul, Kavieng or Alotau
Airport Transport provided
Explore the seldom reached dive sites
Nitrox and gear hire available
Onboard accommodation
All meals and laundry provided
Water temperature 25-30 degrees celcius all year round
Itineraries are based on the best time of year for each region
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LOLOATA ISLAND RESORT
Padi Accredited
Just 45 minutes outside of Port Moresby
Transport provided
Over 30 dive sites, most within 30 minutes of the resort
Dive shop
A range of dive courses available
Nitrox available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
Water temperature 25-30 degrees celcius all year round
Best time to dive – December to April
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Over 40 dive sites between Kavieng and New Hanover
Best time to dive – All year round, however May to July and September to November are traditionally calmer conditions
LISSENUNG ISLAND RESORT
Padi and NAUI accredited
Just 20 minutes from Kavieng
Transport provided
Dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
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NUSA ISLAND RETREAT
Padi Accredited
Just 5 minutes from Kavieng
Transport provided
Dive courses available
Nitrox available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
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Rabaul Harbour is littered with wrecks from WWII, many of which are too deep for the recreational diver
Visibility insde the harbour is 5-15 metres
Visibility outside the harbour up to 30 metres
Many dives on offer around Rabaul: Walls, reefs, pelagics, rays, war wrecks, critters, sharks, dolphins
KOKOPO BEACH BUNGALOW RESORT
Padi Accredited
Just 20 minutes from the airport
Transport provided
Dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
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RAPOPO PLANTATION RESORT
Padi Accredited
Just 20 minutes from the airport
Transport provided
Dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
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TAWALI RESORT
Padi Accredited
A 90 minute bus and boat ride from Alotau
Transport provided
Over 60 dive sites accessible
Dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities available
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MADANG RESORT
Padi Accredited
Just 15 minutes from Madang airport
Transport provided
14 dive sites in the Madang area plus many more near Bogia and around Karkar and Bagabag Islands
Dive shop
A range of dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
Water temperature 25-30 degrees celcius all year round
Best time to dive – December to April brings calmer seas in the wet season, but run off from the rivers can shorten visibility.
April to November is the dry season bringing better visibility but stronger currents in open water.
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WALINDI PLANTATION RESORT
Best time to dive – All year round, however May to July and September to November are traditionally calmer conditions
Padi Accredited
Just 55-65 minutes from Hoskins airport
Transport provided
Dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
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TUFI RESORT
Padi Accredited
Just 5 minutes from Tufi airport
Transport provided
Over 30 dive sites within 30 minutes of the resort
Dive courses available
Packages with accommodation available
Many non-dive activities
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