Papua New Guinea recommendation - Kimbe - Milne - Tufi ?

[JannikPedersen]

Hi guys

I'm off to PNG in July and trying to figure out where to do some diving during my 3 week holiday.

My budget for the PNG holiday does unfortunately not allow liveabord trips, as they seem quite expensive !?

I have narrowed my research down to three different dive destinations:

- Milne Bay
- Tufi Bay
- Kimbe Bay (diving from Walinda resort)

I think I will have time to do diving at two of the dive ares.. But not sure which are the best and gives the most variety ?

I really appreciate any advice!

Thanks


PS: My diving experience range from various places in South East Asia (Komodo, Sipadan, Layang Layang, Similan, Mergui, Philippines) to dive spots around South Africa, Mexico and Cuba.

 

[donsilcock]

PNG is not a cheap place to dive unfortunately. Some great diving, but not cheap because of the high cost of doing business there - particularly with anything that is imported.

I have dived Milne Bay, Tufi and Kimbe Bay a lot and have recently updated my site with loocation guides that should give you a good overview.

Here is the link to the PNG overview page and use the menu bar at the top to navigate to the various locations.

Don

 

[ocdiver1]

Have never been to Kimbe, but have been to Tufi once and Milne Bay twice...you can't go wrong with either destination. Both offer really varied diving, with good muck diving in Tufi by the wharf and even better muck/macro in Milne Bay. Have seen rhinopias all trips in both places. Topside scenery is beautiful in Tufi with the fjords..not bad in Milne Bay either, and Tawali is located near to a very cool skull cave. Both Tawali and Tufi are well run ops...nice accommodation, food, dive guides, etc. Unfortunately, as you already noted, neither are cheap as with anywhere in PNG. Give yourself a day or two coming in or out of Port Moresby to dive at Loloata..great diving plus a much nicer (and safer) place to stay that in POM. Be aware airlines are particularly unreliable in PNG...even though flight times are short it can be difficult to plan on getting all the way in or out of your destination in PNG internationally in one day. I've had major delays/cancellations on each of my trips. PNG is absolutely worth the trip..I'd go back in a heartbeat

 

[JannikPedersen]

Thanks for the info! Really enjoyed reading your location guide Don! ... I might opt for Tufi and Milne, but Kimbe sounds fantastic too.

Concerning the unreliable PNG airlines.... Would you recommend booking domestic flights in advance ?

 

[bqualls]

Can't comment on Tufi or Milne, But the diving out of Walindi is fantastic for shore based.

 

[donsilcock]

Thanks for the feedback and yes - definitely book the domestic flights in advance as they get busy.

While internal travel in PNG can be chaotic at times and everybody has an Air Nuigini story... in their defense, they have always managed to get me to my final location and they are trying to improve. Plus make sure you ask for the 15kg extra baggage allowance for divers when you check in.

If you are going to Tufi, APNG is your only option.

Try and avoid having to stay over in Port Moresby if you can as it is expensive and not the most attractive city in the world, or if you cannot get the connection consider staying at Loloata Resort for a few days as the diving around Port Moresby can be very good - the wreck of the Pacific Gas is one of my favorite dives in PNG.

Don

Thanks for the info! Really enjoyed reading your location guide Don! ... I might opt for Tufi and Milne, but Kimbe sounds fantastic too.

Concerning the unreliable PNG airlines.... Would you recommend booking domestic flights in advance ?

 

[Magrone]

If you are looking for variety then Kimbe Bay probably isn't your best option. There are only two muck/macro dives and one is at the zero wreck. The coral is outstanding though, and some sights have some nice big schools of barracuda, snapper, jacks etc. Sharks can be seen frequently, but not in numbers. I really think the Febrina liveaboard is the best option to dive this area because you get MUCH more variety + lots more sharks. I can't compare Kimbe to Tufi or Milne, because I haven't been to those. Loloata has lots of potential+ you avoid internal flights. I just went there during bad weather so I didn't get to experience the best Loloata has to offer.

 

[Wingy]

Another vote for Milne bay..direct flight from Moresby to Alotoa makes it easy.

 

[jake11]

We stayed at Walindi and loved the diving! BUT... we then boarded a LOB and did some fantastic diving from Walindi to Rabul. I have heard that the diving at Milne Bay is fantastic. When we go back we will go to Milne bay or to Kaveaving( I know this is spelled wrong.) Have a great trip. I also agree that you should go to Loloata resort out of Port Moresby. This is where we saw our first rhinopias.( we saw 4 on one dive!)