PNG Febrina Live-aboard / Walindi Plantation

[peterjmaerz]

In the planning stages of a Pacific Blow out trip. Had originally thought of going to Sipadan, but have come across a number of discouraging opinions about over-diving and political instability on that tiny jewel of an island. I've shifted my focus to Papua New Guinea, specifically the Febrina liveaboard and the Walindi Plantation, the current eruption of Mt. Pago notwithstanding (Planning to go in late May). Anyone with experience with either or both of these?
Thanks much!

 

[Scuba Jim]

I have been to Walindi and on FeBrina.

In fact I have done about 8 trips to PNG, and done pretty much everywhere and evrything.

Look at my web sitewww.scuba-safaris.com and you will find lots of info about Walindi, FeBrina etc

I am afraid that I am off to Tahiti on Sunday for 3 weeks (it's a tough life, but someone's gotta do it!) so will not be able to answer any questions you might have until I get back, but if you can hold off until then, please do so...!

Regards
Jim

 

[David D]

I did the star dancer from Rabaul to Walindi in May 01, and would say that the reefs there are among the best I've seen. The resort is small, but comfortable with good food. The diving isn't far off shore so it would be a good spot for a land based dive trip. Mossies are a problem though on land so I'd stick with the boat as much as possible.

There are some amazing photos in the resort of an orca playing with a hammerhead that are really worth a look !

 

[dascubadweeb]

What's a Mossie?

 

[David D]

Ok maybe too many s's, but I doubt its in the dictionary...

There are plenty of MOSQUITOES in PNG, and with Malaria a real risk in that part of the world they are worth mentioning.

For me its the biggest negative about PNG. There's no bug problem on the live-aboards, so its a pain to have to take the anti-malarials for weeks just to cover your land days. Its either that or get really obsesive with the repellent and take your chances. Either way its a bit of a pain.

DD

 

[DiveTub]

HI David
I just posted this in another post from Maggie

Have you paid for your trip yet ?
You may or may not have heard of the volcano that erupted in the Kimbe Bay area of PNG near Walindi. The resort and the diving unharmed, but the airport at Hoskins a write-off. There is another airport up-and-running and serving Walindi, but smaller air aircraft and many fewer flights

To cut a long story short, it is now a quite expensive and drawn out thing to combine a stay a Walindi with a stay at another dive resort in PNG. It would require at least a 2 night stay in Port Moresby in between dive resorts.

 

[Scuba Jim]

I think Mossie is spelt mozzie.... mossie is something covered in moss, surely?!!!!!!

Sydney_Diver

You are only partially correct with regards to the situation at Kimbe. Walindi can be accessed from Talasea very day of the week, but there are some flights that are later than others - not a problem accessing Walindi AFTER somewhere else, but before hand, yes. Likewise, the earlier flights wuld hopefully allow you to access other locations in good time. A minimum 1 night stay would be all that is required to connect to ther places if needs be. And the cost of the flight is the same, regardless of whether it is to Talasea or anywhere else in PNG.

Here's the new schedule:


Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

0940 POM TLW 1110
1130 TLW POM 1300

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

1510 POM TLW 1640
1700 TLW POM 1830

 

[dascubadweeb]

May I change the subject a bit? I'm fixin' (that's my Texas way of saying - getting ready) to start taking Malorone (spelling?) for my anti-malaria treatment. A few years ago, my other half took Larium and had some N-A-S-T-Y side effects! Have any of you used either medications? What are your thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Scuba Jim]

It is a combo of atovaquone and proguanil HCI

Until it was on the market I always recommended people take

2 x 150mg Chloroquine Phosphate tablets once a week, effective against Vivax

1 x 100mg Doxycycline tablet each day, effective against Falciparum

but now malarone is on the market I suggest it as an alternative, expecially as doxy is a powerful antibiotic that can make you sun & light sensitive (the last time I went ot PNG I took it for 3 days and barphed so much I gave up and just took chloroquine!)

Larium, which is a trade name for mefloquine, usually affects women more than men, thoujgh it can give decompression sickness symptons in noth sexes. It's worst side effect is that it can make women depressed, and even suicidal.

Malarone would be your best bet.

 

[David D]

Anti malarials are at best only partially effective though.

If your trip is mostly boat bound (as mine was) I'd ditch the tabs as the potential side effects, cost and weeks of bother are in my view out-weighed by the option of taking preventative steps (plenty of decent repellent, maybe a sleeping net, covering legs and arms, and avoiding being out side at dusk or dawn) during your few land based days.

I always end up forgetting the tabs anyway!ut: