Trip report -Walindi Plantation New Britian, PNG

[roby jeff]

My son & I decided on this location in Kimbe Bay for our 11 day holiday after hearing reports of good but easy diving operating from a comfortable resort base. It sure was and with 5 star meals and service in a very relaxed freindly family atmosphere. We also really ejoyed mixing with the locals & taking in the culture at Kimbe markets & visiting the local tribes.
It was the end of their wet season and not prime time but weather and water temp were all 28-29C and felt ideal. We had 17 dives & most days there were just the 2 of us with 2 guides and the boat driver!! With almost no wave action in the bay lunch surface interval was at one of the beautifull little islands or sitting on a mooring in our 7 meter commuter, all very cruisy. Vis was 10-15me with in 30 minute fast boat ride of the resort and at my favorite sea mounts 50 minutes out it was 15-25 meters. Lots of little critters and a big variety of coral and sponges every where but for fish and shark action the sea mounts which rise from the depths to with in 10- 20 me from the surface were the best.
Staff were all very helpfull & lots of fun, all native nationals except for the excellent dive managers Dan and Kat which were Pommie Aussies. We took several Padi courses and the photography and night diving were paticulary good.
I definitely recomend Walindi and if you want to go further a field their are 2 live aboards ( Febrina & Star Dancer )that seem to work out of the resort most of the year, so a combined boat / resort holiday woulld also be superb.

[roby jeff]

OUR BUNGALOW AT WILINDI

[roby jeff]

lUNCH BREAK AT RESTOFF ISLAND IN KIMBE BAY

[roby jeff]

PLENTY OF COLOURFULL NUDI'S IN KIMBE BAY

[roby jeff]

OUR LAST SAFETY STOP IN KIMBE BAY

[Travelnsj]

Thanks for the report. What type of fish and sharks did you see and was the Marine like plentiful?

[scubamike]

Those are great pictures. PNG is in my travel list. So far....

[roby jeff]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

Thanks for the report. What type of fish and sharks did you see and was the Marine like plentiful?

Around the closer in reefs there was still beautifull coral & sponges & plenty of critters but I was surprised by the lack of Palagics and sharks, maybe the fresh water laying on top had something to do with it. Out further it was excellent & a bit more like i was accustomed to on the good spots of the far nth GBR.
Jacks, barracuda, Grey Sharks. Also lots of fusaliers, surgeon , butterfy, angel, parrot fish etc. Many vaieties of beatufull nemo's & red eye shrimp as well as eels and octopuss. The fish above are called red Snapper & hang about the top of the sea mounts, i think their proper name is Pinjalo.

[roby jeff]

I love seeing the barracuda & jacks just sitting their, although its hard to make a pic of them interesting.

[roby jeff]

The grey sharks were beautifull, quite fat and calmly came in for a look Never saw any hammer heads or silver tips..boo hoo.