Scuba diving in

Kimbe Bay and Witu Islands

The bay offers over 40 dive sites to explore – mostly seamounts and coral reefs – though only 25 of these are regularly visited. Sites close to the shoreline of New Britain focus on fringing and patch reefs which are dominated by hard corals and bright red sea whips, along with the odd garden of colourful sponges. Dartfish, gobies, and tiger blennies will delight macro enthusiasts, along with hawkfish, shrimp, and pygmy seahorses. And there’s always the possibility of larger species such as barracuda, trevally, fusiliers, and surgeonfish. Signature reef sites include South Emma, Vanessa’s, Christine’s, Susan’s, and Otto’s.

Kimbe Bay’s renowned seamounts – Bradford, Inglis, and Joel’s – are located close to the open waters of the Bismarck Sea and can only be dived when conditions allow. With steep walls dropping to depths of hundreds, if not thousands of metres, these seamounts act as self-contained ecosystems that beckon larger species into the bay. Schooling barracuda are practically a permanent feature at these sites, along with big-eye trevally and dog tooth tuna, while white-tip and grey reef sharks are a common addition. It’s even possible to see the odd scalloped hammerhead shark on an occasional foray up from the depths.

Finally, Kimbe Bay’s only wreck dive, the Zero Wreck, offers the remarkably in-tact remains of a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter. This small plane lies at a depth of just 17-metres and the structure is now decorated by hard corals and anemones.

The Fathers Reefs and Lolobau Island

The diving around the Fathers Reefs focuses on a series of seamounts and pinnacles. Situated in the far northeast of Kimbe Bay, these sites benefit from plenty of nutrients and isolation, guaranteeing thriving coral reefs, abundant critters, and some thrilling pelagic spectacles. Popular sites include Elaine’s, Lesley’s, and Norman’s – all of which offer opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography – as well as The Arch, which delivers some spectacular scenery. If you’re interested in big fish, sites such as Shaggy’s Reef and Killibob’s Knob are renowned for shark encounters, with silvertips and white-tip reef sharks making appearances during baited dives.

Witu Islands

The Witu Islands lie northwest of Kimbe Bay, beyond the Willaumez Peninsula, and they offer a wonderful mix of marine environments and experiences – from critter-crammed black sand slopes to scenic seamounts and thriving fringing reefs. Sites such as Karakafat, Dickies Knob, and Dickies Gonads feature plentiful hard coral coverage that gives way to stands of sponges, sea whips, sea fans, and anemones. Swathes of black coral and toxic corallimorpharia corals are also common. Out in the blue, divers can often spot eagle rays passing by, along with schools of sizable fish such as barracuda, trevally, mackerel, rainbow runners, and dogtooth tuna.

Located at Cape Kurabo, on the western tip of Mundua Island, Goru Arches is a must-see site when visiting the Witu Islands. Adorned with multi-hued soft corals, sea fans, whips, and sponges, these stunning structures provide shelter for snapper, batfish, sweetlips, bumphead parrotfish, and more. Muck diving enthusiasts will also appreciate the black sand environment and interesting critters of the Garove Island caldera and nearby Wire Bay. Fascinating subjects seen here include leaf scorpionfish, nudibranchs, anemonefish, seahorses, ghost pipefish, camel shrimp, and more.