PNG in August - Milne Bay? Star Dancer?

[H2Obaby]

We are looking to come to PNG for one of the Highlands festival in August or September and also go diving.
I wanted to go to Milne Bay but I've read that its windy there at that time and diving then is not recommended - can anyone confirm this? The Tawali website says diving is year round, has anyone been there at this time of year?
Also has anyone been on the MV Chertan at that time of year?
We wanted to go see the mantas near Samarai Island, but will it be difficult to get out there?
I know some of the liveaboards relocate to New Britain at this time of year, I'll be travelling with my boyfriend who's not keen on doing a long liveaboard, so I think the only choice we have for liveaboards around that area is the Star Dancer for 7 nights.
Any comments appreciated. Thanks

 

[Allison Finch]

The Stardancer is a wonderful boat and well run. I have spent much time on it. Has your boyfriend ever been on a liveaboard? What does he not like about it? I am at the point where I almost only want to dive liveaboards. Stardancer is nice in that you don't do all your diving from tenders and is very easy. The rooms are very comfortable, also. The food........oooh awww!!!

New Britain is fantastic diving. You may also get to dive the Witus (weather permitting). If so, say HI to Dickie Doyle for me. Don't worry, if you go there, you WILL meet him.

Be very observant and careful at the highland festivals. There is very strong competition between clans/villages, many of whom may be having feuds. Peace between them is often tenuous, at best. Violence is not uncommon there. It is a good idea to leave before the judging is announced. Get a good guide there and listen to him. If he says it's time to go, don't argue.

Other than that, have a glorious time. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about New Guinea. I am not an expert, but have been there plenty.

 

[OHGoDive]

You can also take a look at Spirit of Niugini. They used to be Aqua One in Phuket, but have just relocated the boat and begun running PNG. They may have spots available in the time period you are looking. They are connected to Tawali (which is owned by the owners of Oceanic?), which seems to be a beautiful resort in Milne Bay.

Here are the links (if you don't already have them):

http://www.spiritofniugini.com
http://www.tawali.com

 

[Stransky]

hi, we dived milne from MV Chertan in the middle of september 2005,we had no problems wat so ever getting anywhere,saw the rays too
got a little choppy out in the open ,but hey we dive nz so wasn't a prob.

 

[caymaniac]

We are looking to come to PNG for one of the Highlands festival in August or September and also go diving.

I know some of the liveaboards relocate to New Britain at this time of year, I'll be travelling with my boyfriend who's not keen on doing a long liveaboard, so I think the only choice we have for liveaboards around that area is the Star Dancer for 7 nights.
Any comments appreciated. Thanks

We've been to New Britain, the divng was awesome. There were some highlands festival before we arrived.

 

[H2Obaby]

caymaniac- love your photos. Which highlands festival did you go to? Did you go with a tour or by yourself? Who did you dive with?
Allison - have you been to the Mt Hagen and Goroka shows? Which did you prefer?
OHGoDive - waiting to hear how the diving is here, operation looks really nice but a tad $$$
Stransky - did you stay on the mainland around Alotau at all before/after your liveaboard?

 

[Stransky]

Stransky - did you stay on the mainland around Alotau at all before/after your liveaboard?

no mate,port morsby > Alotau>Alotau> straight to Chertan.

 

[caymaniac]

caymaniac- love your photos. Which highlands festival did you go to? Did you go with a tour or by yourself? Who did you dive with?
Allison - have you been to the Mt Hagen and Goroka shows? Which did you prefer?
OHGoDive - waiting to hear how the diving is here, operation looks really nice but a tad $$$
Stransky - did you stay on the mainland around Alotau at all before/after your liveaboard?

When I was staying at Walindi a friend had just returned from the Highlands and he traded pictures with me, some of his festival pix for some of my underwater pix.
We stayed at Walindi for 3 nights...7 on StarDancer (Fathers & Witu's) and 2 days at Loloata.

 

[alijtaylor]

H20Baby
I went to the Goroka show last year. It was a blast. I don't think you need a tour. The mainstream hotels will all meet you at the plane and send minibuses to the showgrounds for transport to and from. Last year Goroka was mid Sept and Mt Hagen was August (I think), but check the intended dates as there has been talk of Goroka going back to July.

If $$ are relevant think of Febrina rather than StarDancer - you don't all have ensuite and floor to ceiling windows but who spends much time in the cabin anyway and there are fewer other divers (max 12).
Have fun whereever you go.

Alison

 

[H2Obaby]

Caymaniac, was the diving a whole lot better when you went out to the Fathers & Witus compared to Walindi's dive sites?