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Papua New Guinea Liveaboard Diving

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Liveaboard Diving in Papua New Guinea

Reef Diversity
Wreck Exploration
Pelagic Encounters

Papua New Guinea, nestled in the Southwest Pacific, is a diver's utopia. This exotic country, situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle, is renowned for its extraordinary underwater world. Its seas boast over 600 coral species and more than 2,000 types of fish, creating an underwater kaleidoscope of life. Diving here offers a rare glimpse into both vibrant reefs and historical treasures, as the ocean bed is dotted with relics from World War II. On land, Papua New Guinea's rich cultural heritage complements its underwater wonders, providing a holistic and unforgettable experience

 

Must See Papua New Guinea Dive Sites

Papua New Guinea's dive sites are as varied as they are breathtaking. Milne Bay is a tranquil spot, famous for its encounters with majestic manta rays and a multitude of macro life, making it a macro photographer's dream. Kavieng stands out for its historical significance with numerous World War II wrecks nestled amidst strong currents, offering an exhilarating dive experience. Kimbe Bay, a marine biodiversity hotspot, is home to more than half of the coral species found in the Pacific, surrounded by a stunning backdrop of volcanic peaks. Fathers Reefs, with its vibrant coral gardens, is a sanctuary for large pelagic species, offering a chance to swim alongside majestic creatures of the deep. The Witu Islands, an unspoiled gem, boast an array of fish species amidst volcanic islands and black sand beaches. Lastly, Rabaul offers a dive into history, surrounded by breathtaking underwater volcanic landscapes and relics from the war, presenting a unique blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue

When To Go Diving in Papua New Guinea

Water temperature

The ideal time to embark on a diving adventure in Papua New Guinea is between April and November. During these months, divers can enjoy water temperatures ranging from a pleasant 26°C to a warm 29°C (79°F to 84°F), perfect for extended dives. Visibility in these crystal-clear waters can be exceptional, often extending from 15 to 40 meters (50 to 130 feet), allowing divers to fully appreciate the rich underwater scenery. The current conditions vary across different sites; places like Kavieng are known for their stronger currents, offering a thrilling experience for seasoned divers, while other areas provide more gentle conditions suitable for all levels of divers

Frequently Asked Questions About Papua New Guinea

What marine life can I expect to see in Papua New Guinea?

In Papua New Guinea, divers can expect to see an astonishing array of marine life, thanks to the region's location in the Coral Triangle, which is renowned for its marine biodiversity. Some of the marine life you might encounter include:

  1. Coral Species: Over 600 types of corals create a vibrant underwater landscape, ranging from large fan corals to delicate branching corals.

  2. Fish Varieties: Home to more than 2,000 species of fish, you can see everything from tiny, colorful reef fish to larger species. This includes clownfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and lionfish, among others.

  3. Pelagic Fish: Larger pelagic species such as tuna, barracuda, and Spanish mackerel are common sights. These species often roam in the open waters and around drop-offs.

  4. Sharks and Rays: The waters of Papua New Guinea are home to various shark species, including reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and the occasional whale shark. Manta rays and eagle rays are also commonly spotted, especially in areas like Milne Bay.

  5. Macro Life: For enthusiasts of macro photography, the region offers a plethora of smaller creatures such as nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and various crustaceans.

  6. Turtles: Sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green turtles, are frequently seen, often while they are grazing on the reefs or swimming leisurely in the open water.

  7. Wrecks and Historical Relics: While not marine life, the numerous World War II wrecks that lie on the seabed are encrusted with marine organisms and often surrounded by schools of fish, adding a unique aspect to the underwater experience.

Each dive site in Papua New Guinea offers its unique set of marine inhabitants, making every dive a distinctive and memorable experience

 

What's the recommended experience level for diving in Papua New Guinea?

For liveaboard diving in Papua New Guinea, the recommended experience level typically includes having an Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) certification or equivalent and a minimum of 40-50 logged dives. This recommendation is in place due to several factors: Liveaboards often visit a variety of dive sites, some of which may have challenging conditions such as strong currents, deeper dives, or night diving. The AOWD certification or its equivalent ensures that divers have the necessary skills to handle these diverse and sometimes challenging conditions. Skills such as deep diving, navigation, and buoyancy control are essential. Having a significant number of logged dives (40-50) suggests that the diver is comfortable in the water and has experience in different diving environments. This level of experience contributes to the safety of both the individual diver and the group. Maximizing the Experience: Divers with more experience are likely to get more out of the liveaboard experience, as they can comfortably participate in all the dives offered and fully enjoy the diverse marine life and environments that Papua New Guinea has to offer. It's important for divers to honestly assess their skills and experience before booking a liveaboard trip, as these recommendations are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on board

 

Papua New Guinea Diving Reviews

4.3
Good
2 verified reviews
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Service & Infrastructure
3.5
Review of Oceania experience (Oceania)
The liveaboard boat was great and I believe Dan had put so much effort to make it very nice and comfortable. I especially like the lounge area. The only two things I did not like about the boat was the bathroom door being extremely heavy and it was difficult to close and open and other thing was the tiny sink was installed right below a toiletry caddy which means I can't lean down and wash my face and brush my teeth etc. because it was in the way. This could be resolved if the caddy was installed on the side. The staff were very nice and friendly. Two of the three dive masters were great and helpful underwater with my photography. They made sure that everyone was safe and often checked on us and waited for us. One of the divemasters (the younger one) wasn't so keen in keeping the divers close by, sometimes there were current and he would be miles away. He was also the least enthusiastic out of the three. Overall dive experience was calm and cruisy as we were able to jump right off the deck which saves time and energy. Unfortunately, the reef around Kimbe bay and various other places where we were suppose to go have been hit hard by bleaching events. How sad it is as I remember it was stunning just 5 years ago when I was there last. I must say the most disappointing aspect of the trip was the food. I have been on dozens of trips and the food on this boat was the worst. Firstly, meals were usually not on time. Sometimes snacks were soggy and cold and boring. The food itself was quite awful, and I hate to write these words because the cook and the ladies were so nice. It was mainly western foods made by someone who probably has never had good western food. I believe the captain of the boat could be influencing the type of food cooked on the boat. I wish they had more traditional dishes. Food was either very salty or tasteless. The soups were just god awful, no familiar flavour even though they are meant to be. Pumpkin soup did not taste like pumpkin soup, etc. On occasions there were curries, I believe Thai curry, they sure didn't taste like it? There was so much shrimp paste in the curries I could not even taste the coconut. I went with Fabrina a while back and Josie's food was incredibly amazing. I still think about her food. However, Fabrina isn't as flashy as Oceania.
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2025-07-03by V. Hong diving Papua New Guinea onboard Oceania
5.0
Non plus ultra for dedicated divers (Febrina)
This was my second trip on Febrina having participated earlier on a Vitu islands trip previously. The route we followed was the less visited South New Britain itinerary and we have not met a single diver apart from the ones on board Febrina. This I particularly liked compared to top divesites elsewhere with occasional congestion of divers on popular divesites ( I find this an increasing problem in the rest of the coral triangle). The crew is a precise and enthusiastic group of professionals led by Captain Alan who has unmatched experience in the area in picking the best divesites for the conditions you might encounter and a really entertaining companion for your dinners on board. Diving is simply top notch. This comes with guidance coming from Digger and Zebulon tirelessly pointing out critters you think reside only in guidebooks for specialized scientists. It is a rare occasion to see animals behaving around you in an undisturbed way when diving; we have witnessed a group of squids laying eggs at arms reach... well, we have been fortunate being among the 24 divers a year visiting this area. Febrina remains an unfading classic.
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2019-03-21by D. Gabor diving Papua New Guinea onboard Febrina

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