Papua New Guinea, or "PNG" as it is called by the locals, is a land of variety and contradiction. PNG likes to be called the "land of the unexpected" and it is for sure one of the most exciting, remote and adventurous places in the world to travel. Wild nature and unknown cultures fascinate many people and make them want to experience PNG. The country possesses some of the best dive spots in the world and many divers are aware of that now. Deep or shallow reefs, coral walls, sheer drops, barrier reefs, atolls, passages, lagoons and wrecks (many of them W.W.II wrecks), all with a unique variety of species, are found throughout the region.

PNG is a dream of divers. Crystal clear waters, "paradise islands", and mountain ridges covered with thick rainforests or spectacular volcanoes provide an exclusive setting for one of the best dive vacations imaginable.

1000 Tribes

The four million inhabitants all belong to the ethnic group of Melanesians who live on the western fringes of the Pacific. Some 1000 tribes have 700 different languages. (In comparison: Europe shares about 40-50 languages amongst over 200 million people). English is the official business language and is widely spoken. The main language, which is understood by most people in PNG is "Tok Pidgin", an old trade language which has been used in the Pacific for more than 200 years.

The manifestations of their culture are as multified as their languages. Some tribes in the highlands only began to have regular contact with white civilisation some 60 years ago. In fact, as recently as 1988 one tribe living in rugged mountains of western PNG had their first contact with "the other world". The cultures are very self sufficient on a low level. The term "stone age" culture that is used often does not recognise the complex social network which has been established among the tribespeople for centuries.

Rural Subsistence - Modern Life

Life in the rural areas is very basic and simple. Subsistence agriculture forms the material basis. Western goods like 4WD cars, TV and fridges, however, are sometimes an integral part of village life as well.

The children of these "stone age people" are most probably trying to find a job in the nations' capital, Port Moresby. If successful, they are most likely dealing with similar day-to-day problems as people in other parts of the world (like upgrading their computer for example).

The transformation to life in the 20th century, however, does not happen without considerable friction. Many young people have lost their traditional cultural roots without finding new firm bearings in modern society. As a result many of them are turning to criminal gangs and make life in the cities unpleasant. Criminality, however, is not affecting travellers any differently from other places in the world.

Geography

On the geographical side, Papua New Guinea covers an area of 461,000 square kilometres, being double the size of the UK, and one of the biggest South Pacific nations. Just south of the equator and only 160 km north of Australia is the main island of "New Guinea" which covers 85% of the nation's territory. The rest is made up of 600 tropical islands, including the bigger islands like New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville. The western part of the main island, Irian Jaya is part of Indonesia.

A mighty ridge of high mountains covers the mainland from west to east with peaks such as Mt Willhelm reaching up to 4500 metres.

Countless creeks and rivers cut through the mountain valleys. The two biggest streams are the Sepik-River going north and the Fly-River going south. Both are mighty tropical streams and comparable to the Amazon in South America.

The many reef systems along the coastlines and outlying atolls invite you again and again for another dive trip in PNG.

Overview Of Dive Locations

Papua New Guinea possesses some of the best dive spots in the world. About twice the amount of fish species as compared to the Red Sea, and roughly ten times as many species of corals are found here compared to the Caribbean. PNG has been rating constantly very highly with divers, as is shown by the many awards at international shows and the rodales reader awards.

A very special characteristic for PNG's diving is the deep water which comes very close to the shore. Only a couple of feet away from the beaches are vertically dropping reef walls which reach down to 1000 feet or more. This can be found on most parts of the northern coastline, on the southern shores of New Ireland and New Hanover (Kavieng area) as well in some areas of the Milne Bay.

In the more sheltered bays delicate coral formations are spreading to enormous size, which cannot be found on barrier reefs. This is typical for Kimbe Bay in West New Britain.
Another fantastic dive destination is the Eastern Fields which is to be found 170 km south west of Port Moresby. Located between Papua New Guinea and Australia, the Eastern Fields are a truly unspoilt part of the Coral Sea.

Hundreds of wrecks, many of them W.W.II wrecks, are scattered across the nation above and below the waterline. Boats, planes, barges and submarines, some of them still in excellent condition, have been transformed into living coral reefs. Rabaul, Kavieng, Loloata (Port Moresby) and Madang are good places to go for wreck diving.

But it is not only those perfect natural features that make PNG the best place in the world for diving. A small fleet of outstanding live-aboard dive vessels and a number of excellent dive resorts offer outstanding service to divers. Wherever you go in PNG, you will be one of few divers who explore the reefs. PNG is far away from any form of mass tourism.

• Central Province-Coral Sea
• Milne Bay-Tufi
• Madang-Manus
• Wewak-Hermit
• Kimbe New Britain
• Rabaul
• Kavieng-New Ireland
• Highlands