PNG Tawali perfect for Austrailians

[diveinDC]

Having just spent some time in PNG, I have come up with a few conclusions.

1) Expensive and difficult to get to. Easier and less hassle for Austrailians
Although Tawali is a nice property, (you'll need lots of bug spray) Its expensive to travel there Air Niugini is a farely unreliable airline and currently the only one that flies into PNG Alotau area. Be prepared to stay over at the local hotel at the airport at least one day due to canelled flights.

2) Diving is good but not great.
I would reccomend Wakatobi, Sipadin before Milne Bay Area Diving. I along with several of the guests stated that its about a 7 compared to Wakatobi being a 9, and one person said he would rate Raja Ampat money better spent. Ironically enough the majority of the properties liveaboards, and resort are in Walindi area. To rephrase I did find one Spot to be exceptional its called DEECON's. Also we went across the Goodenough bay to see Wampis Reef. The diving there was clear and untouched although nothing spectacular to see.
Overview:
Geting there : difficult
Food : 7
Diving : 7
Staff : 10
Dive Staff : 7 touch reef way too much
*Safety : Resort 10
Take a look at this before you go. You will want to go in and out.
*Note YouTube - Tribal Fighting - Papua New Guinea

 

[caymaniac]

IF you think getting there for an Aussie is tough, try being an American!
I have been to PNG Walindi/StarDancer and Loloata. If I could choose again, it would be Walindi StarDancer again.
Getting there and back: very dificult
Food: 8
Diving: 10
Staff : 9
Dive Staff: 9
Dive Saftey:9
I have been to a number of remote places to dive, Egypt, South Africa and PNG. The diversity of PNG (Bismark Sea) beat any of the other places over all. A bit better soft coral in Egypt, but more variety of marine life in PNG. Some big pelagics, mostly sharks and dolphins in PNG.

 

[silent running]

Having just spent some time in PNG, I have come up with a few conclusions.

1) Expensive and difficult to get to. Easier and less hassle for Austrailians
Although Tawali is a nice property, (you'll need lots of bug spray) Its expensive to travel there Air Niugini is a farely unreliable airline and currently the only one that flies into PNG Alotau area. Be prepared to stay over at the local hotel at the airport at least one day due to canelled flights.

2) Diving is good but not great.
I would reccomend Wakatobi, Sipadin before Milne Bay Area Diving. I along with several of the guests stated that its about a 7 compared to Wakatobi being a 9, and one person said he would rate Raja Ampat money better spent. Ironically enough the majority of the properties liveaboards, and resort are in Walindi area. To rephrase I did find one Spot to be exceptional its called DEECON's. Also we went across the Goodenough bay to see Wampis Reef. The diving there was clear and untouched although nothing spectacular to see.
Overview:
Geting there : difficult
Food : 7
Diving : 7
Staff : 10
Dive Staff : 7 touch reef way too much
*Safety : Resort 10
Take a look at this before you go. You will want to go in and out.
*Note YouTube - Tribal Fighting - Papua New Guinea

Hello diveinDC, thanks for the info. While Tawali sounds like a really nice place, many of the better sites in Milne Bay, especially for pelagics/sharks, are beyond the reach of any day boats. MB is a huge province and has, in my experience, really excellent diving of all types-big stuff, small stuff, seamounts, walls, volcanic sand, high voltage current/drift dives, you name it. IMHO, this gives it an edge over many places. I've not heard of MB quality macro diversity in Sipidan, nor of much good pelagic/shark activity at Wakatobi. No matter which part of the country you visit, and PNG is huge, I would always recommend you spend the majority of PNG time on a liveaboard for the better access to the top notch and usually remote dive spots and...because of the lack of insects.

I've been to Komodo twice, Ambon once, all 3 great trips. But I've been to PNG 4 times, covered much of the country and I still prefer it when I have the extra money... -Andy