Everything you need to know about diving around Walindi
Kimbe Bay is on the island of New Britain, a large island running east to west that separates the Solomon Sea to the south from the Bismark Sea to the north.
The area is known for its stunning coral formations and boasts a huge diversity of marine life, from Dolphins, Sharks and Whales to endless tiny invertebrates.
Incredibly, around seventy percent of all Indo-Pacific marine species can be found in the area. Kimbe Bay is also one of the most famous spots in the world for underwater photography.
Highlights
Best diving spots
There are almost 200 charted reefs around Kimbe Bay, from shallow fringing reefs to plunging walls and pinnacles. Incredibly, around seventy percent of all Indo-Pacific marine species can be found in the area. Kimbe Bay is also one of the most famous spots in the world for underwater photography.
Just a few minutes from Walindi is Hanging Gardens. Here you will find huge, beautiful sponges reaching out from the reef and many colourful corals that are home to a wealth of smaller marine life, especially Nudibranch’s and Invertibrates.
Christine’s Reef is another popular spot, particularly with photographers - with stunning shallow coral gardens and a superb variety of life. Susan’s Reef is an underwater ridge that runs to a larger reef. Large, colourful soft corals are plentiful here. Huge gorgonians hang on the ridge, while lots of vibrant red sea whips and large sponges provide an impressive visual spectacle.
Further out in deeper waters are North & South Emma. These large coral outcrops reach to within a few metres of the surface from abyssal depths and attract pelagics aplenty. North Emma has a main reef, with ridges connecting this reef to deeper, outlying pinnacles. Hammerheads are common here, with lucky divers enjoying encounters with numerous Scalloped Hammerheads and maybe other Shark species. There is an almost endless variety of life on the reef itself as well.
South Emma is similar to North Emma, but with possibly an even great diversity of marine life. A kaleidoscope of colourful corals hide tiny critters, reef-life is abundant and Barracuda, Trevally & Tuna provide a constant spectacle in the blue.
If Sharks are your thing, Kimbe Island Bommie is the place to go. Numerous species of Shark congregate in the current here, providing an adrenaline-filled show. Other large predators such as Rainbow Runner, Tuna & Trevally buzz around the coral bommie too. Other great sites for pelagics that can be reached from Walindi are Otto’s Reef, Agu Reef and Bradford & Inglis Shoals.
If you visit the area by Liveaboard, you may also venture father afield to Ftaher's Reef or Witu Islands. Here, the current feeds truly impressive soft coral gardens and large pelagic species, including no shortage of Sharks. Dolphins are commonly encountered here too. The Witu Islands are gaining a reputation as a great muck-diving spot, with many interesting Nudibranch’s and other unusual critters nestling amongst the sand and rubble.
When to dive
The region can be dived all year round, but the best conditions are normally from August to December & again from February to May.
Getting there
To reach the area, take the spectacular flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins, the capital of New Britain. From Hoskins, it is a 45 minute drive to the Walindi Plantation Resort.
Activities
For those not exhausted from exploring Kimbe Bay's underwater treasures, the area around the plantation is also very beautiful & well worth exploring. For those looking for more relaxing pursuits, the resort has its own pool, restaurant and bar.
Resort and liveaboard options
The resort, which is based in an 800 acre plantation and overlooks the bay, has 12 well appointed seaview bungalows for guests. It is a dedicated dive resort. A stay here should definitely be booked in advance as the resort is very popular. It has previously been voted the best land-based dive resort in the world.
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The remote Togian Islands lie in the middle of Tomini Bay in central Sulawesi. While difficult to reach, the islands offer great conditions for scuba-diving all year round.
Protected on almost all sides by the tentacle-like arms of Sulawesi, this large bay is reputably the calmest in the world.
Tioman & Aur
Around 40km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, not far from Singapore is the picturesque island of Tioman.
A popular holiday resort for Malaysians & Singaporeans, the steep-sided jungle clad slopes of the island rise straight out the water and smaller islets dot the coastline, making for a spectacular tropical dive spot.
A little to the south is the tiny island of Aur, which while difficult to reach, has good diving.
Wakatobi
The islands that make up the Wakatobi chain have some of the world’s best diving with atolls, walls, fringing reefs, sea mounts & a barrier reef contributing to the almost limitless diving opportunities.
The national park comprises of four main islands, Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomea & Binongki (thus the name WaKaToBi) the reach out from the south-eastern tip of Sulawesi.
Mergui Archipelago
The 800 islands that comprise the Mergui Archipelago lie just off the coast of Myanmar in the Andaman Sea.
The islands, which can only be reached from Thailand, are only a fairly recent addition to liveaboard diving itineraries, and have not yet been completely explored. Those areas that are now well known to dive operators offer some exceptional diving.
Anilao
Diving in Anilao is a popular activity in part due to its proximity to Manila. However, little Anilao is a match for many top diving areas in the Philippines.
While there are colourful reefs to enjoy, diving in Anilao is especially known for smaller marine life, most notably nudibranchs. It is also very popular for underwater photography.
Lankayan
