Papua New Guinea

Hello. I am new to using Scuba Board..so if I screw up have patience. I use this site to get reviews of possible dive trips that we might go on, but I thought I might ask a specific question about a trip we are planning.
We are planning on traveling to Papua New Guinea next year and I have been doing the old internet search for resorts that offer boat dives and shore diving. Does anyone have any ideas for:
1) Good resorts or liveaboards, 2) warnings and suggestions, 3) dive sites and other activities that are must see.

Thank you so much for your feedback. We are looking to stay in the $2500 or less per person range for 7-8 days of diving. We prefer a place that has a house reef (if a resort) or a liveaboard that does a lot of dives.

P.S. Can someone tell me whether they will email the responses to me or will I need to go to the thread itself and look for responses....remember...virgin boarder here....

Hey Kurt..I've been to PNG three times, and can give input on diving in Moresby, Milne Bay, Tufi, and Rabaul. Great choice in PNG, beautiful country above and below water with as good diving as anywhere else in the world outisde of Indonesia in my opinion. With only 7-8 days, and possibly having to overnight in Port Moresby either going out or coming in from where you'd be going domestically, you'd only be able to pick one place, with the possible inclusion of diving around Port Moresby for maybe a day. My fav spot that ive been to is Milne Bay, less than an hour flight from POM (you fly into Alotau)..great, varied diving, and a few of the best "muck" sites you'll ever dive anywhere. I've stayed at Tawali twice and really recommend them, and, while pricy, that should be within the budget you mention. There's also a really cool skull cave very close by. Tawali used to be pretty much the only option, but I think there is at least one other now. There may be an option of diving out of Alotau now, there wasn't as of the last time I was there (Alotau is about an hour drive to Milne Bay). You'll find diving in general within PNG is marked by isolated resorts, with few operators. I've never seen shore diving anywhere, other than an odd dive site that might have a shore entry. You do have the optino of diving at Tawali (also where i was in Rabaul) for little or no cost off the docks. I haven't done a LOB in PNG, and I know there are a few. I'm not well versed in this, but they should easy to find on the internet. I know Walindi on New Britain has the Febrina, and there are two that used to go out of Tawali, although I think one either moved or quit running.

Even though the domestic flights are short, PNG airlines are some of the most unreliable I've ever seen, and that's almost an understatement! You'd really be risking it if you tried to connect all the way out to your international flight the same day. Where are you going to be flying in/out from to get to PNG? Although one good thing is that Airlines PNG and Air Niugini can be booked using your credit card online. Safest to count on a night in Port Moresby. About Moresby..it has a reputation as the one of the more dangerous cities in the world. I absolutely recommend staying just out of town at Loloata Resort..fantastic diving from there too! Absolutely worth a day or two diving if you can squeeze out the time. Be forewarned, hotels in Port Moresby are ridiculously
expensive.

There's some basic info, if you'd like any more, or if there are any questions about some of the other places I've mentioned I've been to, don't hesitate to ask. No matter what, going to PNG is absolutely, absolutely worth it and you will love your trip!

For land attractions, if you do decide to take a break from diving, there are a few great travel shows that'll give you an idea of what you'd be getting yourself into.. All available for DL at pirate bay

Globe Trekker x2
Departures x2
Madventures

May be available via YouTube as well..not sure though. I'd love to trek the png jungles. Talk about wild. Good luck with your trip!


Edit: come to think of it I believe one of the Departures episodes features a dive on one of the WWII (fighter?) wrecks if it's something you'd be into.

Hi Kurt - ocdiver1's recommendations cover most of our top recommendations for an amazing dive trip to PNG. There is no place like it on Earth... but it does have its challenges as ocdiver1 mentions - this is a destination that separates the "tourists" from "travelers", so as long as you aren't looking for a traditional tourist destination. It's a bit difficult (and pricey) to get to, but there are a number of ways to get to Port Moresby and from there to your ultimate destination. You might want to consider using a dive travel specialist for a trip like this since it's extremely helpful to have someone to contact in the event there are delays, cancellations, etc. That said, aside from the resorts mentioned in ocdiver1's email (Tawali, Tufi Dive Resort, Walindi Plantation, and Loloata Island Resort), there is Lissenung Island up in Kavieng and all of these we highly recommend. For liveaboards, our top recommendation is the Febrina which operates most of the year out of Walindi Plantation which makes for a nice combination land-based/liveaboard, so that's a great option as well. Diving is "world class" in all of the areas these resorts/liveaboards operate in so you won't be disappointed!

Thank you so much....I want to digest this and discuss with my fellow travelers. I may have more questions, if it's not too much trouble. One quick question. Is the diving seasonal? Is there a better time of year to go? Thank you so much again!!!!!

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Thank you so much....I want to digest this and discuss with my fellow travelers. I may have more questions, if it's not too much trouble. One quick question. Is the diving seasonal? Is there a better time of year to go? Thank you so much again!!!!!

Hi Kurt - the diving can be seasonal depending on which area you want to visit... the rainy season is from Dec to Mar, but during the dry season, but during the dry season (particularly May to Sept) the winds can be problematic. Generally speaking, the best time to dive PNG is September through November, but other times of year can also be fine depending on where you are going.

Hello Kurtlurker, IMHO, PNG has the best diving in the world. It has all the different kinds of seascape, very high species diversity, lots of big animals, 3 major ocean currents converge there, it has very deep water around the majority of it and the lowest population density in the South Pacific. Indonesia is a very close 2nd and might be first, were it not for all the people found fishing in 'parks', and less varieties and numbers of the larger sharks. I've spent several months in each, as well as the Philippines.

There is always good diving in PNG, but each area has it's rainy season and particular attractions. Although there is top notch diving that can be accessed from land, the most spectacular diving will be from a liveaboard, which can access the most remote and pristine areas. The cost of liveaboard is not much more than land based, might even be less these days. I'm a fan of the Golden Dawn, very stable, seaworthy boat capable of going anywhere in comfort, and has a very experienced diving Capt/owner who has pioneered diving in many remote parts of the country.

I've never had any big problem making domestic connections, but you must be smart about the itinerary, meaning never count on making an afternoon connection or one where the originating flight had to make more than 2 stops to get to you. Do your homework and you will not be disappointed. Good luck, -Andy

I just got back on monday, from a week in kavieng, staying at nusa island resort, and diving with operator scuba ventures.

It was pretty good, but as mentioned above, the png airline was awful. our club had various difficulties and terrible service. I spent 7.5 hours in moresby airport on way home waiting for that ~#………~ airline. My advice is use virgin or someone decent for as many legs as you can.

Hth.
Scott

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