Diving in PNG

Scuba diving in Papua New Guinea in one of the best adventures you can have as a diver. These waters hold towering WWII wrecks, prized macro species, massive pelagics, ghost pipefish and seahorses, all around barrel, soft and fan corals. Kimbe Bay is ranked amongst the world’s best reefs by National Geographic Society.

Diving in PNG is described as one of the best diving experiences to have in the world. Papua New Guinea is situated north of Australia, made up of many islands and offering many dive sites to scuba dive. The biodiversity to be observed when diving in Papua New Guinea is unlike any other country. Papua New Guinea diving takes place mostly in the Bismarck Sea area or the aptly named Coral Sea. Enjoy dive spots offering WWII wreck dives, extremely beautiful corals along walls, macro life and the big fish all in one place. Get your camera out as underwater photography is an opportunity not to be missed when in Papua New Guinea scuba diving.

The islands of Papua New Guinea have an incredible tribal history that is easy to gain a sight into when staying there. With human settlements being here for up to 35000 years this country is still linked with its heritage despite many battles of colonisation and it being a WWII area of war. The tribal lifestyle of locals continues with fascinating body paint, headdresses and tribal communities living here. There are still areas of Papua New Guinea that have no inhabitants due to its rugged landscape and terrain. An incredible area with islands and waters waiting to be explored both above and below sea level.

Diving in PNG (Papua New Guinea) FAQ

Things to know
  1. What marine life can I expect to see in Papua New Guinea?
  2. What are the best dive sites in Papua New Guinea?
  3. What's the best time to dive in Papua New Guinea?
  4. What's the recommended experience level for diving in Papua New Guinea?
  5. How do I get to Papua New Guinea?

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

Best dive sites in Papua New Guinea allow you a feast for your eyes and your camera lens. You will need both macro lenses and wide-angled lenses on your dive tours in Papua New Guinea. With up to four dives per day you are likely to take great memories away of ghost pipefish, seahorses, frogfish and mandarin fish as well as a great range of nudibranch. At the same time, dive sites here offer sharks and all manner of barrel, soft and fan corals. The coral at Papua New Guinea's dive spots is said to be better than in the neighbouring waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Papua New Guinea diving has lots on offer for wreck enthusiasts but most of all for naturalists and underwater photographers. The underwater life seen when scuba diving Papua New Guinea is incredible and a chance not to be missed.

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What are the best dive sites in Papua New Guinea?

Kimbe Bay - This incredible dive site in Papua New Guinea is filled with incredibly healthy reefs and diverse life. Ranked among the world's most beautiful reefs by National Geographic Society. It is clear that your dive trip here will not fail to impress. Within Kimbe Bay you can see a Japanese Zero fighter plane, incredible large fan corals and barrel sponges. You will often see pelagic sharks and barracuda but it is also a dive trip option for mammals such as pilot whales, dolphin orcas and sperm whales.

Milne Bay - This bay sits on the East coast on the islands of Papua New Guinea. You can enjoy both macro and large species here. In less than 20 ft of water, you can enjoy frogfish, cuttlefish, mandarin fish and nudibranchs. Even the incredible species of scorpionfish: Rhinopia. Dive trips in Milne Bay include underwater isolated pinnacles, sloping coral reefs and impressive walls encrusted with corals amongst the soft corals. There's so much on offer here that all of these sights can be seen through one dive.

Fathers Reefs - A dive site with the backdrop of the 2,334- meter Ulawun Volcano, this underwater site is a series of coral pinnacles rising from the bottom of the Bismarck Sea. Scuba diving Father's Reefs will no doubt allow you the chance to see sharks with the healthiest population of sharks in Papua New Guinea here. In the past areas of this site have been used as shark-feeding zones bringing sharks regularly to the area.

Witu Islands - North west of Kimbe Bay the treasures to be seen in these islands are the big fish. With up to 30+ meters visibility keep your eyes peeled for white tip reef sharks, tuna and barracuda patrolling the edge of the reefs. On these outer reef slopes hard coral gardens allow for incredible colours and steep drop-offs filled with soft corals suggest idyllic beauty.

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What's the best time to dive in Papua New Guinea?

SEASONS & CONDITIONS: Scuba diving in Papua New Guinea is available year-round. Visibility of stretches to 150 ft. The best season to visit is the high season between May and November.

WATER TEMPERATURES: The coral sea will see temperatures of around 26 degrees celsius whilst the Bismarck Sea is usually around 31 degrees celsius. Usually, a 3mm shorty will suffice in these temperatures.

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How do I get to Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea can be reached by many budget airlines from nearby countries including Air Niugini, Airlines Papua New Guinea, Pacific Blue connecting through Australia from Brisbane and Qantas Link departing from Cairns to Port Moresby. Once you arrive at Port Moresby you can either fly internally to Kimbe or get around most easily by boat. Due to its remote nature, a Papua New Guinea liveaboard is a great way to visit this amazing area.

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