MV Golden Dawn

Golden Dawn's annual schedule of dive destinations moves to different locations in the country to take advantage of the best weather conditions in different regions. This enables us to offer her clients the kind of varied and exciting diving that is consistent with Papua New Guinea's reputation.

The Eastern fields/Coral Sea operate November through to December and April through to May - prime time for this area. On these cruises, you will find the waters of the barrier reef system around Port Moresby teem with beautiful flora and fauna to satisfy the keenest sports diver or the most dedicated underwater photographer, with Mantas, Sharks and Turtles.

During March,June and October we offer mantas in southern Milne Bay area. There are a number of varied dives on this schedule, strong current to 'muck' dives, though the sensation are the mantas at "Giants at Home". Here in shallow water, large coral boulders, with a healthy cover of soft corals are scattered over a sandy bottom. Big sweet lips, gropers, Hump Headed Parrotfish and even Dugong make an appearance

During June through September, we offer Northern Papua New Guinea. Our trips run from Madang and Wewak. Madang departures go to the islands some 70nm east. The coastline and surrounding islands offer some truly great diving.

The islands of Bagabag, Crown and Long with their tall volcanic peaks and their superb fringing reefs feature one newly discovered site "Julien's Reef", is on par with "Carl's Ultimate", and is rich with corals and large schools of barracuda and mackerel and other pelagic species. The number of hammerhead sightings on this itinerary have been numerous and tiger sharks have also made appearances. The night anchorage's offer truly classic Milne Bay type muck dives in the rich volcanic sand. Snake eels, inimicus, turtles and cuttle fish are commonly sighted.
Further north on the Wewak run we start with some coastal wreck diving near the islands of Muschu and Kairuru. Here the Japanese were surprise attacked during WW2 and a number of their armed merchant fleet were sunk. The testimony of time has changed these wrecks into large artificial reefs, providing homes for an abundance of marine life. Many species of scorpion fish can be found camouflaged against the hull.

Diving in Kavieng presents yet another diversely different dive destination in PNG. Known for it's pelagic splendor the strong incoming currents act as magnets to the schools of trevally, barracuda, grey reef sharks, eagle rays and reef fish.

During outgoing tides, low lying channel islands clad in mangroves, provide havens for juvenile fish species and other exquisite macro critters. These islands also provide excellent calm safe anchorage's for the Golden Dawn.

A number of world class wrecks are dived, remnants to the 2nd WW. For example in Three Island Harbour, there is the Sanko Maru and the Japanese Mini submarine. these wrecks are some of the best night wreck dives I have ever experienced. A newer wreck, the "Der Yang" at Echuca Patch is a fantastic site for photographic and video enthusiasts with the schools of barracuda circling above the wreck in blue water.  

Papua New Guinea is situated in tropical latitudes, but the water temperatures can vary depending on the location and the season.

The waters around Port Moresby and Eastern Fields are noticeably cooler than other areas due to current streams circulating up from southern latitudes. Temperatures can range between 74-87 deg F (24-28 deg C). A full wet suit with a minimum of 1/4 inch or 3mm is recommended, as well as a dive skin plus hood, so you can dive and photograph until your hearts content without being chilled by days end. The waters in Madang, Wewak area and the Bismark Sea tend to be warmer and dive skins and Lycra suits can be used on a lot of dives, but it is still prudent to bring that wet suit.

Please note some people feel the cold more than others and may need that little extra!

Photography is the most popular underwater objective of divers taking our trips. We will be diving in some of the most photogenic waters of the world. Experienced photographers will find reefs, fish life and visibility absolutely excellent for both stills, video and movies. Bring all the film, tapes, batteries etc. with you, as such supplies are either not available or very expensive.

What you need to bring:

Necessary:

• Mask, Fins, and Regulator with visible pressure gauge
• Buoyancy compensator
• Weight Belt (without weights)
• Dive gear bag
• Dive Computer and/or depth gauge
• Dive timer and a Safety Sausage

Optional, But strongly recommended:

• Spare mask
• Spare Regulator (if planning to use the rental of a pony bottle)
• Dive tables
• gloves and Signal mirror

Supplied:

• Tanks
  
• Weights
  
• Air refills

Itineraries

Wewak   Madang    Milne Bay   Kavieng   Eastern Fields