Diving Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea possesses some of the best dive spots in the world. About twice the amount of fish species as compared to the Red Sea and roughly ten times as many species of corals are found here compared to the Caribbean. A very special characteristic for PNG’s diving is the deep water, which comes very close to the shore. Only a couple of feet away from the beaches are vertical dropping reef walls that go down to a 1000 feet or more. This can be found on most parts of the northern coastline, on the southern shores of New Ireland and New Hanover (Kavieng area) as well in some areas of the Milne Bay.
In the more sheltered bays delicate coral formations are spreading to enormous size, which cannot be found on barrier reefs. This is typical for Kimbe Bay in West New Britain.
Another fantastic dive destination is the Eastern Fields, which is southwest of Port Moresby. Located between Papua New Guinea and Australia, the Eastern Fields are a truly unspoiled part of the Coral Sea.
Hundreds of wrecks, many of them WWII wrecks are scattered across the nation above and below the waterline. Boats, planes, barges, and submarines, some of them still in excellent condition, have been transformed into living coral reefs. Rabaul, Kavieng, Loloata (Port Moresby), and Madang are good places for wreck diving.
Best time to dive
Year-round the diving is great in Papua New Guinea.
Visibility
Visibility averages 100 to 150+ feet.
Water temperatures
Water temperature averages 74 to 87 °F.
Weather and climate
Papua New Guinea’s climate is tropical being located just south of the Equator. December to March is the wet season, although occasional rain falls year-round. Port Moresby and other towns on the coast are quite hot in the summer months and temperatures are considerably cooler in the Highlands.
Language
English
Passport/Visa requirements
Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports, visas and proof of onward passage and sufficient funds. If you arrive by plane, you can get a visa at the airport, but it’s recommended that you get a visa before arrival.
Currency
Kina – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
220-230 volts AC, 50 Hz, mainly three-point plugs in hotels.
Capital
Port Moresby
General information
Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the rugged tropical island of New Guinea (which it shares with the Indonesian territory of Irian Jaya) as well as numerous smaller islands and atolls in the Pacific. The central part of the island rises into a wide ridge of mountains known as the Highlands, a territory that is so densely forested and topographically forbidding that the island’s local peoples remained isolated from each other for millennia. The coastline is liberally endowed with spectacular coral reefs. The smaller island groups of Papua New Guinea include the Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, New Ireland and the North Solomons. Some of these islands are volcanic, with dramatic mountain ranges, and all are relatively undeveloped.
Nearly 85 percent of the main island is carpeted with tropical rain forest, containing vegetation that is a combination of Asian and Australian species. The country is also home to an impressive variety of exotic birds, including virtually all of the known species of birds of paradise, and it is blessed with more kinds of orchids than any other country.
PNG likes to be called the “land of the unexpected” and it is one of the most exciting, remote, and adventurous places in the world to travel.
Map
Get a map of Papua New Guinea from WorldAtlas.com.