Hello Joop: PNG - BEST DIVING EVER........
I am in PNG - specifically Rabaul and Port Moresby from September 26 to October 17. I have dived PNG many times and at most locations, both from shore-based operators and live-aboards. Check my website to read the trip reports and dive operator reports on PNG (link in signature block).
Congratulations on being humble and recognising that you are a relatively new diver lacking experience in some areas. So many new divers have a chip on their shoulder thinking they know everything usually they are the ones who mess up!!
Where you go really depends on what you want to see. Corals, fish, sharks, wrecks?
Madang (Jais Aben) has nice diving but for my likes is far to commercial with too many divers. If you decide to dive Madang, I'd suggest staying at Adrian's Place which is located 10 minutes walk from Jais Aben (where the diving leaves from). He has bungalows are set in a tropical setting beside the water - very nice. His food is also very good and 100% better than Jais Aben food - But, you maybe X-military and enjoy YUK food! Adrians fees are very reasonable and are in kina NOT US dollars.
The islands in the Madang area are beautiful. The diving is very good, but as I said lots of divers with dive masters ensuring you follow them! Yes, there are currents, but not in every location and the boat is live so you just go with the current. Remember, that if you want to see BIG things then you normally have to have current
..There are some wrecks in the area also which are nice. One wreck is covered in BIG fish and would be one of my favourite dive sites for the fish life.
Hansa Bay to the north of Madang is also a good place to dive. Soem shipwrecks here provide ideal habitat for many hard to find fish and invertibrates. E-Mail Jais Aben and ask if he can go there on a trip. he often runs trips to Hansa Bay for a few days - very worthwhile
Milne Bay is wonderful for little hard to find critters but it is best accessed from a live- aboard such as Certain, Telita or Golden Dawn. All three are top notch operators. The nearest land based operator that I know that is good is Tufi Island expensive however.
Kavieng. Very nice, but lots if currents some very strong. Also Japanese shipwrecks. When the currents run you probably will see lots of BIG fish action - but this can be said for most locations in PNG.
Walindi. I was here in April for three weeks. I suggest you read my operator and trip report. Lovely corals and overall good diving but Ive had better (subjective comment as Ive been diving a long time). Very commercial operator and you will be diving in a boat with 10 other divers! Some dives were very very good while others were - well pretty mediocre!
Rabaul. The town is a rubbish dump and very dirty! People very friendly. Great place to watch an active volcano (see my website). Diving is very good in places - but you have to know the places. Lots of Japanese ship wrecks and a few plane wrecks which make interesting dives. A few excellent wall dives, and some lovely coral dives with lots of invertbrates - last trip my dive buddy counted 67 different nudibrancs.....
I like Rabaul so Im biased (sorry). One good thing about Rabaul is it is seldom dived since the 1994 volcanic eruption, therefore, I can almost guarantee that you will be in a very small group of two or maybe three divers. Few divers in my books in GREAT
.If you want to dive here mail me and Ill forward a decent operator (the one I use).
If you decide to do Rabaul ensure you do a night dive on Georges Wreck - decorator crabs, cuttlefish, frog fish, moray eels - fascinating. A MUST DO dive.
September/October is the doldrums in the New Britain/ Kimbe Bay area and like you, Im hoping for good weather. Madang can be a little rough in September, but dont let that scare you!! Milne Bay has variable weather in September.
An idea is to contact some of the live-aboards and see if they have in blow in prices. Usually they are cheaper as they may only have one place left which, without you would not be filled.
Feel very free to mail me if you require further information as I am more than happy to help you out
Iain (Australia)
