Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Diving PNG

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea

Hi TTers,

I'm thinking about a trip to PNG in October or November to do some diving. Interested in all sorts of diving (wreck, reef, night) and looking for some recommendations. Would like to find this quality of diving off an island with a good 'backpacker' vibe.

Thanks in advance!

IM

There's no "backpacker vibe" anywhere in PNG! :-)

If that's what you need, head for Fiji.

If better diving is the priority, stick to PNG.

1

For great diving AND a low key backpacker vibe, the Solomons are better than PNG. PNG as a whole is also relatively expensive, and the dive 'resorts' are VERY expensive. But PNG is incredibly authentic and it's where the real adventures still exist in this part of the world.

2

Agree with both previous posts, there is no backpacker vibe or scene in PNG whatsoever. It is not really on the backpacker circuit, partly because flights into PNG are so expensive. As is the cost of living once you arrive.

However, you will find truly excellent diving, on sites which are completely unblemished and that see very little diver traffic. We spent 7 days diving in Kavieng and it was awesome. Prolific fish life with large pelagics and great coral. I can recommend the dive operator there, Scuba Kavieng. Run by a very laid back South African couple.

We stayed at Nusa Island Resort which was very friendly.

3