Papua New Guinea, a remote island destination, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, expansive landscapes, and incredible biodiversity. The coast of this exotic and largely unexplored land is renowned for some of the world’s most spectacular diving. It has earned the title of “underwater photographer’s paradise,” with numerous international award-winning photos captured in its waters. The crystal clear blue waters of the thousands of coral atolls are teeming with a myriad of spectacular marine life.

Dive Sites

Divers can explore a wide variety of dive sites, from magnificent wrecks to beautiful barrier reefs. The underwater world is a kaleidoscope of colorful coral gardens, daring drop-offs along coral walls, perfect patch reefs, fabulous fringing reefs, serene seagrass beds, and amazing atolls. Moreover, the spectacular World War II wrecks add a historical dimension to your diving experience.

Main Destinations: The Heart of Diving in Papua New Guinea

Kavieng: 

Kavieng, known for the Albatross Passage, is a haven for divers. Here, you can witness a vast assortment of pelagics. The area is also famous for its drift dives, caves, and WWII wrecks, most notably the Der Yang fishing boat. Macro and muck diving in this area allows you to get up close and personal with the amazing critters.

Milne Bay: 

Milne Bay is renowned for its marvelous muck diving, dramatic drop-offs, walls, and overhangs. The area offers drift diving, breathtaking reefs, elephant ear sponges, and the manta rays that visit in September.

Rabaul:

If you’re after some phenomenal wreck diving, Rabaul is the place to be. Georges Wreck and Italy Maru are some of the best in the area. A visit to The Lighthouse, with its resident school of double-headed Maori wrasse, and Pigme Point, where you can see the pigmy seahorses in their element, completes the diving experience in this area.

Walindi: 

Walindi boasts pristine and healthy coral gardens, which encourage a considerable amount of marine life including hammerheads, grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna, and barracuda. Gorgonian fans, elephant ear sponges, and sea whips are also prolific. You can slow down and take in the macro life or pick up the pace and enjoy a drift dive along the colorful coral walls.

Tufi: 

Tufi attracts divers with its pristine reefs that are home to an abundance of marine life including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, schooling tuna and barracuda, turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, hammerheads, and the ever-rare white hammerhead. The wrecks and muck diving in this area are also amazing.

Dive Season: Year-Round Diving with Regional Specifics

Diving is available year-round in Papua New Guinea, although some regions have specific optimal periods. The Solomon Sea offers year-round diving. Kavieng and Kimbe Bay are best visited from May to November, with a note that it can get windy in August. Milne Bay is ideal from November to January, with September being the manta season. Tufi is best visited from October to April, but keep in mind that the southwest monsoon season runs from May to September, which may limit access to the outer reefs during this time.

Water Temperatures

Water temperatures in PNG range from 77-86°F (25-30°C) throughout the country. Visibility usually ranges from 66-130ft (20-40m), unless you are diving at muck diving sites or sites near mangrove swamps.

In conclusion, whether you’re interested in marine life, underwater photography, or historical wrecks, Papua New Guinea has something to offer every diver.