Papua New Guinea
Diving
To rate Papua New Guinea as one of the world's top dive sites is no exaggeration. An enormous variety of land based and live aboard expeditions take full advantage of the diversity of dive possibilities available in this secluded frontier.

Voted the worlds best live aboard, the 'Telita' operates out of Alotau to explore Milne Bay Province. Bob and Dinah Halstead run the charters and cater for advanced divers in a marine wonderland of the extraordinary. From tiny delicate nudibranchs to the worlds biggest fish (the harmless Whale Shark) divers are assaulted with a stunning array of exotic species. 

The near invisible Lacy Scorpion Fish, bizarre Ghost Pipefish, secretive Sea Horses and the enigmatic Nautilus are all part of the passing parade.

Blood-warm waters are filled with massive expanses of delicate hard corals and brilliant billowing soft corals; all part of the Milne Bay experience.  

The 'Barbarian II' operating out of Lae is the vessel to choose if your special interest is the shipwrecks from WW2. Skipper Rod Pearce is accredited with discovering the intact B17 bomber 'Blackjack' and the Dutch cargo ships Jacob'. Along with a host of other ship and wrecks, Rod can fill any voyage with as many wrecks as the keen diver can handle. With a "no take" policy, every wreck can be found with intact weapons, cargo and artifacts making every dive a journey into a protected time capsule. Of course fertile reefs and swarming marine life are all included in every expedition.

Jais Aben Resort is a land based operation just out of Madang taking advantage of the impressive marine life found in the northern waters of the Bismarck Sea. From gentle reef dives filled with colourful fish and swaying garden eels at Eel Gardens to the action packed current dives at Bagabag Island, Jais Aben caters for all levels of experience. 

Walls and deep passages filled with milling fish can be complemented with dives on the many wrecks found in the region, such as the B25 Mitchell Bomber or the 150' freighter, the 'Coral Queen'.

The eastern islands of New Britain and New Ireland have their own wonders to explore. Walindi Plantation with its charter boat 'FeBrina' offers incomparable hard coral reefs and the spectacular marine life of Kimbe Bay such as schooling Hammer-head Sharks and wandering pods of curious Orca Whales.  

Kulau Lodge Beach Resort offers scuba and snorkelling trips and is a full NAUI facility. Scuba divers must have a certificate.

Rabaul is famous for its volcanoes and shipwrecks. The 'M.V.J. Michelan' operates out of Rabaul to explore the wrecks in Rabaul harbour and the reefs around Duke of York Islands. 'M.V. Manta' covers the same area as well as reaching as far as Walindi.

'Tiata' is the sister ship to 'Telita' and is run by Kevin Baldwin out of both Rabaul and Kavieng. Wrecks such as the Mini Japanese Submarine as well as remote reefs are explored each trip. Swirling schools of Barracuda and Trevally are found as well as the beautiful Silvertip Shark, coaxed in with baits to within camera range. Walls or gorgonian sea fans along with deep sponge beds complement the shallow coral gardens with schools of speckled Eagle Rays. Shore based operations can be found at Malagan Beach Resort for those who want to complement the superb diving with shore based activities.

With such a rich intensity of colour and beauty, Papua New Guinea justifiably holds an international reputation for gourmet diving.

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