In Papua New Guinea you can find some truly incredible scuba diving sites, liveaboard opportunities and resorts that meet the needs of all drivers. It is filled with a really rich marine life, an exotic culture and quite pristine coral reefs. Papua New Guinea stands out because of the indigenous cultures that incredibly use around 800 languages and live in really small areas featuring intact rainforest, quite close to the Amazon. The reef system itself covers 28,000 miles so divers will have a lot to do. Whether you are a diver looking for adventure or a photographer that wants great shots of coral atolls, barrier reefs, walls, wrecks and much more.
Main Recommended Scuba Diving Sites
The best diving experience and wide angle shoots are available at these scuba diving spots:
- Kimbe Bay
The reefs here are exceptionally healthy, being ranked among the most beautiful in the world by David Doubilet of the National Geographic. You get a really good shot of pelagics like barracudas and sharks, colorful soft corals, scenery and fans. There is also a Japanese Zero plane wreck, the Rest Orf Island and the close-by Witu Islands. Marine mammals are often seen in Kimbe Bay.
- Milne Bay
You can easily find great scuba diving spots in this part of Papua New Guinea, with macro and micro critters on the list. Marine life is more than enough to visit but you will also enjoy great walls, isolated pinnacles and sloping coral reefs.
- Kavieng
The location here is known for its large animals, including reef sharks but also for semi-pelagic fish like barracuda, Spanish mackerel and dog-tooth tuna. You can also find some pretty interesting World War II wrecks you will love.
- Oro Province
The best way to describe the region’s scenery is “tropical fiords”. It is isolated and is great for scuba diving between the months of August and November.
Papua New Guinea Facts Of Interest
You can dive in the country every day of the year but the high season is between the months of May and November. The visibility when diving is between 50 and 150 feet while the average water temperature is 26 degrees Celsius.
- Safety
The country poses high risk of malaria so you need to get ready for that. Always cover up as you travel and do use insect repellent. Do be sure that you are aware of what happens near you and have someone with you that can speak local language. Some of the areas are very remote but the one dangerous part should be considered Port Moresby.
- Other Activities To Consider
You do not go to Papua New Guinea just for the scuba diving. You can also enjoy bird watching, culture exploration, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, surfing and a whole lot more. In most situations you will want to take part in these before you go diving but after is also possible. Be careful about liveaboards since this will just limit you to snorkeling and diving. It is the resorts that are land based that will offer many extra activities that complement personal diving schedules.
