North Coast Dive Sites | Madang

The North Coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG) offers some of the most spectacular and diverse dive sites in the world. Stretching from the northern reaches of New Ireland, Madang, and Lae, to the coastlines of Milne Bay and beyond, this region is rich in coral reefs, WWII wrecks, marine life, and diverse underwater ecosystems. Divers are drawn to these sites for their pristine waters, vibrant coral gardens, and an abundance of marine species, making the North Coast a prime location for scuba diving enthusiasts.

Notable North Coast Dive Sites

Madang (Madang Province) Madang is often regarded as one of PNG's premier dive destinations, known for its dramatic underwater landscapes, coral reefs, and historical wrecks. Some of the most popular dive sites here include:

• Ferguson Passage: This area is famous for its crystal-clear waters, dramatic drop-offs, and abundant marine life. The currents are ideal for drift diving, with encounters with large pelagic species such as manta rays, tuna, and sharks.
• The Astrolabe Reef: Located close to Madang, this reef features extensive coral gardens and excellent visibility. Divers can explore walls, canyons, and tunnels teeming with colorful fish, sea turtles, and even occasional dugongs.
• WWII Wrecks: Madang is home to several wrecks from WWII, including the Japanese freighter Tokai Maru and the B-24 bomber. These sites are fantastic for wreck diving, with the wrecks providing habitats for vibrant marine life such as lionfish, moray eels, and groupers.

Lae (Morobe Province) The region around Lae, PNG's second-largest city, offers various dive sites that combine coral reefs with wreck diving and amazing biodiversity.

• Salamaua: Located about 25 kilometers from Lae, Salamaua is known for its exceptional reef dives and the famous Cairns Reef. Divers can experience stunning coral walls, underwater canyons, and vibrant marine life, including napoleon wrasse, sharks, and a wide variety of reef fish.
• Scorpion Reef: Known for its dramatic underwater topography, including large coral bommies and drop-offs, Scorpion Reef is home to a variety of marine life. Divers here may encounter turtle species, barracuda schools, and giant trevally.

Tufi (Oro Province) Tufi, located on the northeastern coast of PNG, is renowned for its fjord-like landscapes and some of the most pristine diving experiences. The region features both coral gardens and the deep, clear waters of the Tufi fjords.

• Tufi Fjord: The fjords offer divers a surreal experience with dramatic cliffs and calm, protected waters, teeming with colorful corals and abundant fish species. In addition to regular reef species, divers may encounter barracuda, giant clams, and harlequin shrimp.
• War Wrecks: The area also features several wrecks from World War II, including planes, boats, and cargo ships, making it a popular wreck diving site.

Milne Bay (Milne Bay Province) Located in the southeastern part of PNG, Milne Bay is famous for its clear water, diverse reefs, and abundant marine life. The area is also home to some of the world’s best muck diving, as well as rich coral ecosystems.

• Samurai Reef: This site is famous for its vibrant coral walls, schools of batfish, giant groupers, and turtles. Samurai Reef is a great place for both beginners and experienced divers.
• Muck Diving: Milne Bay is particularly famous for muck diving, where divers explore the sandy bottom to discover rare and unusual critters, such as mantis shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish, seahorses, and frogfish.
• Lese Island: Known for its deep walls, Lese Island is a popular site for experienced divers who enjoy exploring its rich biodiversity, including whitetip reef sharks, barracudas, and octopuses.

Kimbe Bay (West New Britain) Kimbe Bay, located on the north coast of West New Britain, is known for its vibrant coral reefs, excellent visibility, and rich marine biodiversity. It is often regarded as one of the best places in PNG for coral reef diving.

• Rabaul: Rabaul is a great destination for both reef and wreck diving. The site has a variety of coral gardens, underwater volcanoes, and marine life, including manta rays and sharks.
• Tufi Reefs: In the north of the bay, Tufi’s reefs are home to some of the healthiest coral gardens in the region, making it a fantastic place for underwater photographers. You can expect to see colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and large pelagics.

New Ireland (Bismark Archipelago) New Ireland, part of the Bismarck Archipelago, offers fantastic diving opportunities in relatively unexplored waters. Its diverse ecosystems include reef systems, WWII wrecks, and offshore dive sites.

• Nusa Island: Located just off the coast, Nusa Island offers beautiful reef dives with crystal-clear waters. The site is known for its excellent visibility and healthy coral reefs, home to a variety of fish, rays, and even whale sharks during migration season.
• Balek Wildlife Sanctuary: Balek is a lesser-known site, offering divers the chance to explore its deep drop-offs, wrecks, and marine life. It’s a great location for those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

Sepik Coast (Sandaun Province) The Sepik Coast offers one of the most remote and untouched diving experiences in Papua New Guinea. The waters along the coast are home to pristine coral reefs and an abundance of marine life.

• Wewak: Known for its coral gardens, mangrove systems, and WWII wrecks, Wewak is an ideal site for both traditional reef diving and historical exploration. The site features crystal-clear waters, excellent visibility, and a variety of marine life.
• Tama: A remote and isolated site, Tama offers divers the chance to explore underwater canyons, deep walls, and beautiful coral reefs teeming with fish and larger pelagic species.

Diving Highlights of the North Coast of Papua New Guinea

• Marine Life: The North Coast offers some of the most diverse marine ecosystems, including vibrant coral reefs, deep drop-offs, and clear lagoons. Marine species include manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, barracudas, napoleon wrasse, lionfish, and various species of snappers and groupers.
• WWII Wrecks: Many dive sites along the North Coast feature wrecks from World War II, including cargo ships, planes, and subs. These sites are popular for wreck diving and for observing how marine life has claimed these historical remnants.
• Coral Reefs: The region is known for its pristine coral reefs, including both hard and soft corals. Some sites have exceptional visibility and are rich with color, offering divers incredible underwater experiences.
• Muck Diving: Particularly in Milne Bay, muck diving is a popular activity where divers explore sandy bottoms and mud flats in search of rare and exotic macro creatures, such as mantis shrimp, frogfish, and seahorses.

Conclusion

The North Coast of Papua New Guinea is a dive enthusiast's paradise, offering an incredibly diverse range of underwater experiences, from pristine coral reefs to WWII wrecks and rare marine life. Whether you're a beginner looking for shallow coral gardens or an experienced diver seeking deep walls and wrecks, the North Coast of PNG offers something for everyone.