Kimbe Bay
Papua New Guinea · West New Britain · 5 m
Description
Kimbe Bay on New Britain holds more than half of all coral species recorded in the Indo-Pacific inside a single bay, which makes it one of the richest reef systems anywhere and a fixture on every list of the world's great diving. Seamounts rise from deep water to within a few metres of the surface and are covered in soft coral and schooling barracuda. Volcanoes stand along the shore behind oil palm plantations. The diving lodges at Walindi run the bay, and hammerheads pass the outer reefs in season. Almost everyone here comes to dive and stays a week or more.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 4 to 10 days (optimal 6 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – April
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Seamount dives at Bradford Shoal and Inglis
- More than half the Indo-Pacific coral species
- Walindi dive lodges and the house reef
- Schooling barracuda and hammerheads (May - October)
- Liveaboard trips to Fathers Reefs
- Garua and the volcanoes above the bay
- Hot springs and megapode fields at Garu
- Snorkelling on the inshore reefs
- Birdwatching in the lowland rainforest
Getting there
- Airports:
- HKN
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry