Star Dancer Itinerary

[Matty B]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post to scubaboard. I'm fairly new to diving (certified in May '06) then in October I went out with Mike Ball on a seven night expedition which was absolutely fantastic. Then after that I came back to Brisbane which is home for me for two nights and then I went to Tonga for ten days.

I loved Tonga for what it was and the freedom I had however I really liked being on a livaboard. So I've decided on my next adventure - PNG. I've read a lot of posts here, and Star Dancer seems to have a good reputation. Now my only question is when should I go? My choices are July 30 - Aug 7 (8 days) Rabaul/Dukes/Bainings/Fathers/Walindi or should I wait until the itinerary changes to Kimbe Bay - Walindi Aug 25 - Sep 1 (7 days)?

Any feedback would be very muchly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

MattyB.

 

[caymaniac]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post to scubaboard. I'm fairly new to diving (certified in May '06) then in October I went out with Mike Ball on a seven night expedition which was absolutely fantastic. Then after that I came back to Brisbane which is home for me for two nights and then I went to Tonga for ten days.

I loved Tonga for what it was and the freedom I had however I really liked being on a livaboard. So I've decided on my next adventure - PNG. I've read a lot of posts here, and Star Dancer seems to have a good reputation. Now my only question is when should I go? My choices are July 30 - Aug 7 (8 days) Rabaul/Dukes/Bainings/Fathers/Walindi or should I wait until the itinerary changes to Kimbe Bay - Walindi Aug 25 - Sep 1 (7 days)?

Any feedback would be very muchly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

MattyB.

I would choose Fathers/plus any combo. If I went back to PNG I would like this itinerary or possibly Golden Dawn, but for your dates you are better in the north.

 

[tarangau]

Hi Matt

Love Brisbane I went to high school there

Have you seen the cheap fares from airlines png? check out thier website. They don't fly to Hoskins (airport near kimbe for walindi / star dancer) or Rabaul (other port for star dancer). So you will still need to fly air niugini domestic, head down to the air niugini office in the city might get a better deal than booking online.

You definitely want to do Fathers and Walindi is also great.

Those dates are good for weather wise, they are the best times to be on north New Britain

 

[reubencahn]

I would choose Fathers/plus any combo. If I went back to PNG I would like this itinerary or possibly Golden Dawn, but for your dates you are better in the north.

Golden Dawn is fantastic. Highly recommended.

 

[Durgeon]

We did Star Dancer second week of September (back in 2005). Awesome diving, excellent crew. Lots of boomies/pinnacles. Walindi is a great stopover and while there you must go to the hot springs (35 min drive away).

 

[caymaniac]

We did Star Dancer second week of September (back in 2005). Awesome diving, excellent crew. Lots of boomies/pinnacles. Walindi is a great stopover and while there you must go to the hot springs (35 min drive away).

The river is near 110 degrees, an enjoyable time.

 

[Matty B]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to thank everyone for their valued feedback. After more than two months in the making I have decided on a Star Dancer date. I will be leaving Brisbane, Australia on the Saturday 25'th of August at 10am and arriving Rabaul at 4:20PM to board Star Dancer for seven nights, returning to Walindi. Then returning to Brisbane from Port Moresby on Sunday the 2'nd.

So I'll be visiting Fathers Reef, Bainings & Duke of York Islands. If anyone has been on this itinerary or a similar one I'd love to hear about your experiences.

I have also purchased my first underwater camera, a Canon IXUS 65 with WP-DC3 housing. All I need now is a strobe

Many regards,

MatthewB.

 

[caymaniac]

I think you'll really enjoy your trip, I've not been to more diverse diving areas and marine life. We enjoyed both big and small.

 

[Allison Finch]

Ive done the Rabaul to Walindi trip. The diving in Rabaul harbor is nice, especially at the base of the Beehives. Nice reef on the far side of the far beehive.

The Duke of Yorks have new moorings thanks to the work of the Alan Raabe crews. It is newly being dived. I went on one of the exploratory trips there several years ago where we placed some of the moorings. The water there is a little cooler than the rest of the Bismark Sea areas. However, most were comfy in their 3 mm suits. The Fathers is incredible and you will love it.

Ask if you can do a few dives off the Gazelle Peninsula. It is "on your way" to Walindi. If I get cracking on some of my PNG photos, I'll try to post a few.

 

[Klezz]

Hi everybody

I'll make the trip on the star dancer, from october 16th to october 24 th
is there anybody planning the same trip ?