MV Febrina Escorted Photography Trip September 2027
MV Febrina Escorted Photography Trip 3-12 September 2027
9-night itinerary to Kimbe Bay, the Witu Islands, and Fathers Reefs. THE BEST diving itinerary in Papua New Guinea.
Only 9 client spots on board.
Usually $4680 USD per person sharing, early bird $4212
Small single cabins usually $4540, early bird $4086
Large single cabin usually $6340, early bird $5072
Domestic flights (booked for you at no extra cost): $500
Environment and Safety Fees: $81
Optional Nitrox: $300
Why this trip?
Simply because it is the best reef diving you will probably ever do. I dive around the world every year running escorted dive trips and checking out suppliers and writing and shooting for dive mags. I’ve been visiting here since 2011, and can safely say you will not find more variety, more abundance, and so few divers (none) anywhere on this planet. 75% of the world’s hard coral species are found here, thousands of described fish and invertebrate species call this part of the world home, as do more that are yet to be described, as well as a few mega-rarities like Coleman’s pygmy seahorse. The corals are in amazing condition, and the abundance of pelagic fish like horse-eye jacks and pickhandle barracuda is phenomenal.
Photography coaching
Provided by Best of PNG’s founder and underwater photographer Christopher Bartlett. Christopher’s work has been published round the world, and over the last decade he has had more than 100 articles published on a range of diving and marine conservation subjects, and to date has a dozen dive magazine cover shots to his name. Latest images here. Using simple terms and clear examples, he will cover the basics to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle photography, from setting up your gear to processing images in Lightroom.
THE DIVING
Kimbe Bayis home to stunning reefs with those brilliant coral formations you see in all the classic Walindi pics. Beautiful and dramatic sea mounts, coral-laden walls and lush coral gardens are all a feature of Kimbe Bay diving, along with myriad fish and invertebrate life the reefs sustain. Some sites have the biggest gorgonian fans you will ever see. Amongst the 40-odd reef dive sites here, there is also a beautifully preserved WW2 Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane.
Witu Islands are a group of islands, volcanic in origin, situated to the north west of Kimbe Bay. The diving is a mixture of sea mounts rising from deep waters to within metres of the surface (such as Lama shoals), beautiful coral arches and great night dives in the black sand bays of the islands. Krackafat Reef has the biggest school of jacks I have seen anywhere in the world. Barracuda abound, grey and white tip reef sharks roam. And there is lots of interaction with the locals trading fresh fruit and veg out of their canoes and we’ll have a trip ashore to visit a village too.
Fathers Reefs are a series of offshore reefs, also volcanic in origin. The underwater topography is startlingly different with dramatic reefscapes, arches and swim throughs. Being offshore, these reefs also attract pelagic activity such as sharks, rays, turtles, schools of barracuda, jacks etc. Whip corals and barrel sponges abound, and a couple of very friendly turtles hang our here, to everyone’s delight. We will do a baited dive for Silvertip sharks here.
The dive guides have been with the FeBrina for many years and they know the dive sites extremely well. They have amazing eyes and can point out many creatures that might not normally be seen. You can give them a wishlist of critter and they will do a remarkable job in finding a lot of them for you.
Getting There
Getting to Walindi Resort and MV Febrina requires a one-hour flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins airport, West New Britain. Looking out the window on your flight you will realise that this is going to be no ordinary holiday. Mountain ranges that top 14,000 feet divide the main island of New Britain. The deeper valleys remained isolated until early last century; the land you fly over is occupied by people who have 800 different languages and cultures that are just as diverse.
We will book your domestic flights for you, they will be around $500 USD return.
Getting to Walindi Resort and MV Febrina requires a one-hour flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins airport, West New Britain. Looking out the window on your flight you will realise that this is going to be no ordinary holiday. Mountain ranges that top 14,000 feet divide the main island of New Britain. The deeper valleys remained isolated until early last century; the land you fly over is occupied by people who have 800 different languages and cultures that are just as diverse.
We will book your domestic flights for you, they will be around $500 USD return.
“The coral reefs of Kimbe Bay take me back forty years, to a time when corals grew in lush profusion, untroubled by the problems that beset them today. A short boat ride from Walindi Resort and I am diving on reefs that have half the coral species of the world, all awaiting those rare photo opportunities that come only with the clearest water. I am hard pressed to think of anywhere on earth that has this combination of vibrant health, diversity and beauty.”
– Prof Charles Veron
Professor J.E.N. “Charlie” Veron is former Chief Scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. He is the author of the three-volume series ‘Corals of the World’.
Professor Veron was invited to deliver the keynote address on corals at the 2008 Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
Professor Veron was invited to deliver the keynote address on corals at the 2008 Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
Inclusions
9 nights ensuite accommodation on board MV FeBrina as reserved, all meals and snacks, unlimited tea and coffee, final night dinner at Walindi Plantation Resort, 7.5 days diving, 4 or 5 dives per day, filled tanks, weight belt and weights, return airport transfers to and from Hoskins airport/Walindi, light laundry service daily. Note that Environmental and Safety Fees are not included in the trip cost, however will be added to the invoice to be paid in advance.
Not included
Flights, bar expenses/soft drinks, nitrox, equipment hire, any meals taken at Walindi prior to boarding MV FeBrina or after disembarkation from the boat, souvenirs or items of a personal nature, gratuities. Please note that 10% GST applies to all purchases made within Papua New Guinea.
Additional Costs
Environmental and Safety Fees – $81 per person, to be paid with trip cost in advance of arrival. Note that E&S Fees are subject to change and payable at current rate at time of final payment.
Nitrox – available as a package for all dives during the trip = $270 per person (ex GST) or $10 per casual fill. Please advise if you would prefer to pay in advance.
Equipment Hire – Limited dive equipment and sizes are kept on board for hire. Please check on availability prior to arrival. If needed, gear hire can be arranged from Walindi Resort with advance notice.
Alcohol/Bar – Local beers are available on board for a cost of PGK8 (SP) and PGK9 (SP Export). Softdrinks are available at a cost of PGK5 each (please advise in advance if you have any preferences). Wine is available by the bottle or glass (costs depend on wine type). We recommend that you bring your favourite spirit duty free for consumption on board, some spirits are available however they are quite expensive in Papua New Guinea.
Payment can be made with credit card (Mastercard/Visa/Amex), or with cash in AUD, USD, PGK or Euro.
Bar prices are subject to change and payable at current rate at time of voyage.
Extensions
Being PNG experts, we can arrange pre or post-liveaboard extensions around the country. From 15 to 22 September, Christopher will lead his annual HIghlands Tribes Tour, exploring the highlands looking for birds of paradise, visiting villages, attending private Sing-Sings, and culminating at the amazing Goroka Highlands Cultural Festival. The cost is $3040 USD. There is also a four-night Goroka festival option from 16-20 September, starting at $1260, before which we could either arrange some time at the FeBrina’s home resort of Walindi for more diving, a cool volcano trek, or some land tours to see WW2 planes or a “Hot River”, or you could do a couple of days diving from Loloata, 20 minutes from the capital, Port Moresby. (There are no direct flights between New Britain and the Highlands). Se more information about the Goroka festival tours here. Straight after the festival, Christopher will lead a five-night Sepik River trip to take you deep into the jungle in the north, visiting Spirit Houses and discovering ancient customs.
