First 2 weeks in July - To PNG or not to PNG?

[ycyc1999]

I have the first two weeks of July off and want to dive in PNG. I called one of the resort representatives in U.S. for some information and was told that it is not a good time to visit PNG due to the notorious rainy season. I talked to a few other travel agents and got very mixed comments - one recommended going to Kimbe Bay area during that time and the other said it is fine anywhere in PNG in July. I read extensively (books and websites). I am still not certain about my choices. Just to be flexible, I am happy with either resort diving or liveaboard or any combination of the two. Have you been there diving? Where and when did you go? Did the weather and diving turn out ok? Thanks for your input.......eternally confused...

 

[silent running]

I have the first two weeks of July off and want to dive in PNG. I called one of the resort representatives in U.S. for some information and was told that it is not a good time to visit PNG due to the notorious rainy season. I talked to a few other travel agents and got very mixed comments - one recommended going to Kimbe Bay area during that time and the other said it is fine anywhere in PNG in July. I read extensively (books and websites). I am still not certain about my choices. Just to be flexible, I am happy with either resort diving or liveaboard or any combination of the two. Have you been there diving? Where and when did you go? Did the weather and diving turn out ok? Thanks for your input.......eternally confused...

Hello ycyc, I've been to PNG in July, up north on a liveaboard trip on the Golden Dawn from Kimbe to Kavieng, that's a good time for up north. Check GD's schedule and you will see that the boat moves farther up North as the Summer progresses. I'm pretty sure Febrina has trips through the Summer also. Both boats are well run, but I prefer the GD as she has active stabilizers that allow her to make crossings in all but the very worst weather. Diving up North was excellent, as it is in all of PNG. There are also dive ops/resorts in Kavieng. Try Scubaventures, they have some fast boats that can reach New Hanover and seem to do a lot of exploratory diving and they also have Nitrox. -Andy

 

[caymaniac]

I was at Walindi the last week in June and StarDancer the first week in July. The weather was great. We had rain two nights of our ten days there.

 

[NCBabs]

I have been to PNG for 3 weeks in July 05 I was aboard the liveaboard http://www.febrina.com/ the service and operation were great. I dived the Kimbe Bay, Fathers and Kavieng areas. You can also stay at the Walindi Resort http://www.walindi.com/ which is in the Kimbe Bay area. The weather was fine out of the 3 weeks it may have rained 4 days it was mostly partly cloudy then which was nice so it wasn't so hot air temp wise. Here is another website http://www.scubaplanners.com

 

[mich327]

I dove PNG 2nd week of July 2006 at Walindi and LOVED IT. Weather was great - no rain, and liked the Walindi resort quite a bit. John runs a good dive shop there.

I also dove Madang the first week of August from Jais Aben and liked the diving there, too. The weather was spectacular, the dive shop friendly and competent, and the reefs lovely - although I liked the remote feel of Walindi better