Kimbe Bay

KIMBE BAY DIVING Kimbe Bay profits from the currents merging here from the Bismarck Sea, the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea, bringing an exceptionally rich influx of nutrients which support a varied and plentiful marine life - and ranging from the miniscule to the massive.  You’ll find vertical walls, ledges, overhangs, pinnacles and several large caverns. In, on, under, over and around all of these, are the hard and soft corals & sponges this area is so famous for - gorgonian fans, sea whips, black corals, barrel sponges and elephant ear sponges.  The rope sponges hanging from the walls at Hanging Gardens can reach up to 3 meters in length!  It's a well established fact that 70% of all coral species in the Indo/Pacific region are found in Kimbe Bay and the sheer numbers of fish, critter and coral species simply surpasses the imagination. Click for info about: Diving Kimbe Bay to Rabaul   Liveaboards: FeBrina Star Dancer Just a few amongst the many are: Blennies, Damselfish, Spiny Devilfish, Titan Triggerfish, Panda Anemone fish, Porcelain Crabs, Gobies, colorful Anthias, Butterfly fish and Long Nose Hawkfish.  Of course, there are numerous invertebrates including Nudibranchs, Shrimp, Feather Duster Worms and the occasional Octopus.  At some of the sites you will encounter schools of Fusiliers, various species of Trevally and Barracuda feeding in the currents, plus Gray Reef Sharks, Bumphead Parrotfish, Humphead Wrasse, Turtles, Dogtooth Tuna, and when conditions are right, Scalloped Hammerheads. You can add to the list resident pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins, sperm, pilot and humpback whales - and even orcas have been making appearances the past few years. Just a few minutes from Walindi is a site known as Hanging Gardens, teeming with large sponges and critter life.  You will find countless incredible sites, among them:  Christine’s Reef, Valerie's Reef and Susan’s Reef which lure photographers back again & again for shots of immensely colorful corals, sponges & gorgonians, plus massive sea fans, vibrant red sea whips and all the vast variety of creatures who build their homes in these exciting underwater "forests". Farther out into the bay's waters are North & South Emma - reefs teeming with oddly-named marine life - Fire Dartfish, Elegant Firefish, Two-tone Dartfish, Twinspot Gobies - plus hard & soft corals and sponges . . but home also to pinnacles & drop-offs which attract loads of pelagics - tuna, trevally, barracuda, several types of sharks and divers always particularly appreciate the Hammerheads. And, if it's sharks you're after, don't miss Kimbe Island Bommie where you find quantities of shark species amongst other pelagics. And honestly, that just scratches the surface . . . Details of Walindi Resort For FeBrina Live-Aboard Click here  >>> THE RESORT Located on Kimbe Bay, on the island of New Britain, Walindi Resort is surrounded by a plantation which was founded in 1935.  The plantation property was purchased by Max and Cecily Benjamin in 1969 . . . and in 1983 they established the Walindi Plantation Resort, designed mainly to provide a base for scuba divers lured by the news of pristine waters and magical underwater creatures. Walindi has developed a reputation of excellence over the years and is world famous for its truly remarkable diving (countless award-winning photographs and films come for these waters) and its warm hospitality. The atmosphere at Walindi is comfortable, intimate and very welcoming and you will probably spend a lot of your non-diving hours in the relaxed central area of the resort where you find the swimming pool, dining room, bar, lounge and library. There are three hearty meals per day, included in your package, all served buffet style and featuring a combination of Asian and Western styles, using luscious local seafood, fruits and vegetables.  Let us know if you have special dietary needs and we will pass that info on to the kitchen staff. For additional enjoyment during your leisure hours,  there are tennis courts at the resort (rackets and balls provided free of charge) and the resort can also arrange a game of golf at the local Kimbe course or a visit to the hot springs. On top of all this, Walindi is the home of the renowned & ever-popular liveaboard, FeBrina and also the Dancer Fleet's Star Dancer. Most importantly for all of us divers, Walindi management is dedicated to supporting the unique ecology of the region and is actively supporting the establishment by the European Union of a Nature and Marine Research Centre within the resort grounds, which will continue to monitor and research all aspects of the ecology in Kimbe Bay and West New Britain. For details of the FeBrina, click here >>> ACCOMMODATION 12 fully screened, thatched-roof, bure-style bungalows, designed to reflect traditional Papuan architecture, are located beach front, offering sweeping sea views, and are surrounded by rich jungle gardens.  All rooms have ceiling fans and facilities for making tea and coffee Many thanks to our friend, award-winning photographer, Steve Jones for these & many other beautiful shots on our  PNG pages DIVING WALINDI With roughly 25 dive sites easily accessed from the shore-based dive boats - the closest dive site  5 minute boat ride and the farthest only 75 minutes away - you can spend your entire time at the resort, if you wish. Two dives per day is the common schedule,  leaving at 9am and returning 4pm, with lunch provided on one of the deserted islands nearby. On request, three dives per day - and/or night dives can usually be arranged. You'll find three dive boats operating from the resort daily. The newest vessel is “Cheyne”. At 33 feet in length, she is an aluminum, purpose built dive boat fitted with GPS and fresh water tanks. “Emma” and “Charmaine” are a little smaller, of a similar design. The boats take 8-12 divers each to the many beautiful Walindi Reefs in Kimbe Bay. COMMUNICATIONS  Wireless Broadband internet facility is available for guest use … please see the staff for instructions on use. WHAT'S INCLUDED? Accommodation, meals, coffee, tea and 3 to 5 dives per day.  Laundry included at no extra charge and laundry bags are provided in each bungalow. EXTRAS AVAILABLE Juices, sodas, beer and wine as well as cocktails, mocktails and specialty coffees are available at an additional cost.   The bar is very well stocked with mixed drinks, beer and a selection of wines. Diving and snorkeling  equipment is available for rental. Nitrox, re-breathers, tri-mix are all available (Nitrox facility is available at a cost of USD$10.00 per tank. Boating - outboard powered boats available for hire with a driver.  Fishing - available with a guide.  Walking: casual walks with a guide available. Artifacts: A range of artifacts and souvenirs available for sale. Massage is available on request. HOW TO GET THERE   All international flights to PNG arrive in Port Moresby, where most nationalities obtain visa on arrival.  Fee 100 kinas.  Domestic flights to Hoskins, on New Britain, may be arranged same day or after a stay at Loloata or a local hotel.  Transfers from Hoskins to Walindi are in the resort's air conditioned mini-buses. The airport is a 90 minute drive from the resort and the trip provides an opportunity to see the luscious surrounding area before settling into the resort.  Back to Papua New Guinea main page Visit the FeBrina page Visit Star Dancer Contact us for additional details or to book spaces