Southern Route

DAY 1
Depart Alotau for Discovery Bay.

The MASCOOTA. This is a ship wreck approximately 300’ in length of an old Bark sailing ship which
was launched in 1889 in England. The vessel was later converted to a powerless collier by the Sydney Coal Co, and was towed into Milne Bay where it sank in Discovery Bay after springing a plat due to bad weather. The wreck does on many occasions play host to a variety of animals including the large estuary Stone Fish and the Wobbegong shark. Resting on the sea bed with the bow out of the water and the stern in 75’ of water, the wreck is surrouneded with old war litter, including live munitions.

Two dives on the wreck and the surrounding war junk as well as the sea grass beds can often produce a variety of macro subjects, Flying gurnards, Inimicaus Scorpion fish, allied cowries and sea horses to name a few. The” Spirit” should plan on leaving no later than 12.00 noon in order to be in position for the afternoon dives.

NB. This dive is rated about 5 out of 10, but as this would be the first dive of the trip, and it is in a quiet, no current bay, it is ideal for the 1st dive check out. It also allows our staff to evaluate the new divers and plan accordingly prior to entering their next area of operations, China Straits, which is a high current area. Approx 2.25 hours.

SAMARAI WHARF
The dive for the afternoon would be Samarai Wharf. A large pier built some 80 or more years ago and now has covered pilings playing host to a variety of nudibranchs, schooling fish and the occasional wobbegong. In recent times a Pearl Farm uses the piles to hang baskets of oysters. Also found here are the famed Samarai bottles. This sight can be subject to strong currants and special care should be taken. On many occasions a night dive can be organised at this sight pending the current of the day. Anchored down for the night here and sail for Manta’s in the morning. Approx 30 minute Run.

DAY 2
MANTA RAYS OF GUNA BARA BARA
The Manta Ray station at Guna Bara Bara. This sight plays host to a colony of manta rays that frequent the area. Though mantas are not 100% guaranteed, there is an incredible macro sight on the same dive sight. Varieties of nudibranchs, allied cowries winged pipe fish, frog fish and octopi just to name a few. This dive sight needs minimum of 2 dives. Approx 30 minuts to Kwato.

KWATO MISSION
After completing the dives at the manta station the “SPIRIT” should now head for Kwato Mission, a truly incredible macro sight. Here divers should dive the pier and channel off the pier. As evening approaches some divers may wish to dive with the Mandarin fish, around 5.30 PM is usually an ideal time, to make this a great dusk dive, while others may choose to go on a later dive around 6.45 pm and conduct a full night dive. The night dive may yield critters such as pyjama bob tail squids, nudibranchs, flamboyant cuttel fish sea horses and winged pipefish. The “ SPIRIT” should depart in time to arrive at Irai Island in the Conflict Island group around 7.30am ready for the next days diving. Approx 6.5 hours on southern rout or 7.25 on northern rout to Irai

DAY 3
MOLLYS GROTTOS
Mollys Grottos is a dive site off the drop off in the middle of Irai Island and is a collection of caves, large sea fans, swim throughs and grotto’s. On the seaward side is a steep drop off which has on many occasions attracted large silver tips and grey reef sharks. This is usually easy diving and a minimum of 2 dives should be planned on this sight.

MIKES RIDGE
Located at the tip of Irai Island. This sight plays host to a large variety of fish and is also frequented by silver tips and grey reef sharks. One or two dives (depending on time) should be planed here. After diving the “SPIRIT” will proceed into the lagoon and Moore down for the night. A night dive can be organised directly under the boat. Anchorage is Approx 35 minuets from Mikes Ridge.

DAY4
The morning dive needs to have a new dive sight found, which should not be a problem. The sight needs to be close to the mooring sight and good enough to have 2 dives on. The “SPIRIT” then moves to Lunn Island. Approx 1.25 hours away

LUNN ISLAND
The dives here should be conducted on the south eastern wall. Here 2 dives will not be wasted. The bottom shelves off to 20 to 40 ft and then drops rapidly. Here we can hope to see schools of bump headed wrasse schooling fish and shark action. The “SPIRIT” then would steam to Deboin Lagoon. No night dive would be available here due to the steaming time. Approx 2.5 Hours away

DAY 5
DEBOIN LAGOON
Diving in Deboin Lagoon all day. 2 dives on the snake pit and 2 more on reef pinnacles diving with Zebra Sharks. All sights are very close to each other. After the days diving the “ SPIRIT” then proceeds back towards Milne Bay, arriving at Doubales reef at 7.30am the following day. Approx 8 hours steaming.

DAY 6
DOUBALETS REEF
This should see you on Doubilies reef, which supports a massive colony of giant sea fans, giant clams, and large variety of schooling fish and on occasion’s pygmy sea horses. 2 dives should be conducted here before the vessel moves on to either Pelagic Point or The Gap. Approx 35 min to Pelagic and 50 min to The Gap

PALAGIC POINT & THE GAP
Both sights have massive fish colonies and often shark action. Gray Reefs only. Which sight to go to would depend on the currant at the time as to which reef you would choose. The Gap is much more manageable in heavy currant. After the dives the vessel would anchor down in Nuakata Bay. Approx 40 min and 20 min respectively. A night dive can be had at this location. Weather permitting Jasons would offer a much more productive night dive before entering Nuakata Bay.

DAY 7
CRINOID CITY
Approx 15 min from your mooring in Nuakata Bay is Crinoid City. Two dives on Crinoid City would reveal large schools of schooling fish, including barracuda and jacks. Rinophase and hairy ghost pipefish are seen here on many occasions, along with Pigmy sea horses. Though this site is subjected to currants it can be easily managed. After the diving here the “SPIRIT” can move to Little China. Approx 25min

LITTLE CHINA
Little China is a reef pinnacle that also has large quantities of schooling fish. This sight has been a favourite for many divers. The combination of soft corals and fish life makes for first class diving. Weather pending, this is a great night dive. The” SPIRIT” would then go to anchor in Nuakata Bay.

DAY 8
Dive Tania’s Reef or Cherie’s Reef with Cobb’s Cliff as a backup if required. This day is based on only a half day prior to flying out the next day. After diving the Spirit would then come to Tawali for the remainder of the day and have a Wok or BBQ dinner before heading to Alotau.

NB. This is a suggested itinerary only, based on mostly known dive sites. All groups on the vessel will be advised that this may change due to weather or a desire to explore new sites. Each group will be assessed as to how much exploration they wish to do. Those keen to explore, mix a lot of new with the old. Those not so keen to explore, mix a lot of old with the new. There is always the possibility of having a dive sight named after you!

Northern Run

DAY 1
Depart Alotau for Cobb’s Cliff. Sailing time is 3 1⁄2 hours.

COBB”S CLIFF
Cobb’s Cliff is an underwater ridge that runs from one of the main of shore reefs of East Cape. Sloping down to a large sand bowl on one side, the ridge has a steep drop off on the seaward side. This reef is ideal for the first check out dive. On this reef can be found leaf scorpion fish, Rinhopias or weedy scorpion fish, a large variety of schooling fish and where Mantas, Whale Shark, Orca’s, Hump back whales and Grey Nurse shark have all visited over the years. This reef should be dove first as it has the least amount of current and is better suited for the first check out dive. Spirit should sail to Cherie’s Reef around noon. Sailing time is approx 25 min.

CHERIE’S REEF
Located of the tip of Niugini, this reef is a vibrant and picturesque dive. Schooling fish, soft corals, gorgonian fans and pelagic make for a great dive. Special critters found here over the years are Rhinopias, Pygmy sea horses and hairy ghost pipefish. Spirit of Niugini should then return to Cobb’s Cliff if the weather allows and conduct a night dive. Should the weather not permit then the vessel should anchor down at East Cape for the night. Sailing time to East Cape is approx. 1⁄2 hour. Spirit of Niugini should depart the anchorage for Wampa’s around 5.30am. Sailing time approx 1 3⁄4 hours.

DAY2
WAMPAS BOMMIE
Wampas Bommie is located just south of Dutches Island. This is a pinnacle that rises from the sea floor over 200ft down. The top of the reef is in only 20 ft of water and is the size of a small house in area. A good selection of both hard and soft corals can be found here along with a large variety of schooling fish. Spirit of Niugini should depart for Barbara’s Reef around lunch time. Approx. sailing time is 1 hour.

BARBARA’S REEF
Barbara’s Reef is a small ridge that extends from one of the main reefs located off shore near Observation Point. This small reef shallows out to 25 feet and on many occasions play host to a school of around 150 large barracudas. Also found on the reef, other than the usual schooling fish, are Rhinopias and schools of Pyramid Butterfly fish. Depart for Observation Point well before late evening. Sailing time just under the hour. A night dive at observation point is a must.

DAY 3
OBSERVATION POINT
Observation Point is the first sight on this itinerary where guests can experience both a muck dive and a reef dive off the same dive sight. The muck dive is in loose sand and one can hope to see such critters such as sand divers, star gazers, ghost Pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish and snake eels to name a few. Spirit of Niugini should overnight here and sail to Esa’ala early in the morning. Approx sailing time is 1 hour.

ESA’ALA JETTY
Diving at the jetty is both wide angle and macro. The jetty is usually covered with small sardines which in turn bring in the predators. Over the years there have been many a photo taken at this sight and entered into competitions around the world. The macro here can also be very good. Once again, Flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus, ghost pipefish, flying gurnards, frog fish and demon scorpion fish to name a few. The depth ranges from 15 feet to 80 feet. Spirit of Niugini should overnight Esa’ala Approx sailing time to Double Towers is 2 hours. Over night here and have a night dive.

DAY 4
DOUBLE TOWERS
Located in the passage between Sanaroa Island and Normanby Island, this reef is once again an extension of a much larger reef system. The reef has a large variety of schooling fish, good variety of soft and hard coral and on occasions produces Rhinopias scorpion fish and hairy ghost pipe fish. The Spirit would then go to anchor in    Bay. The bay is sheltered from most winds except from the north. There is no night dive here due to crocodiles. Approx. sailing time is 20 min.

WONGS REEF
Wong’s reef which is located between Uama and Urewala Islands is a pristine reef playing host to barracuda and other schooling fish. With a steep drop off on the face facing Normanby Island and a series of sand gutters on the western side this reef is frequented by larger pelagic such as sharks and the occasional manta rays and turtles. Spirit of Niugini should depart strait after the second dive, as early in the morning as possible. Sailing time is approx 11/2 hours to Ronda’s Redemption.

DAY 5
RONDA’S REDEMPTION
Ronda’s redemption is located on a larger reef system of shore from Sanaroa Island. The reef shallows up to 45 feet below the surface and has been known to produce great Shark action towards the drop off which plunges hundreds of feet to the sea floor. The sight is subject to the weather and currents.

EXPLOREATION DAY
The remainder of Day 5 is set aside as exploration day. Weather permitting the SPIRIT spends the rest of the day diving the vast reef chain located around Ronda’s Redemption. This area should produce good shark action on almost every dive. The area has very seldom been dived. Spirit of Niugini should depart mid afternoon for Black Jack approx sailing time 7 hours.

DAY 6
BLACK JACK OR P38 CAPE VOGAL
Both plane wrecks went down during World War 2. Black Jack is a B 17 bomber sitting up right on a sandy bottom at 165 feet while the P 38 lightning is in a small bay in 40 ft of water with extensive coral growth on it. Black Jack at 165 feet is not recommended for beginner divers. Here the Village people should be encouraged to do a traditional dance and other activities as clients gain surface time after the Black Jack dive. Spirit of Niugini should depart Black Jack for Kiest Reef around Noon. Sailing time is approx 30 min.

KIEST REEF
Located in Ward Hunt Strait this reef plays host to a large variety of schooling fish as well as on many occasions shark’s. The reef is as shallow as 10 feet in parts but drops away quickly on the east and south sides. The Spirit of Niugini should depart for Lawadi and Decon’s after the last dive. Sailing time is approx. 4 1⁄2 Hours.

DAY7
LAWADI & DECON’S
Lawadi is located on the northern side of the main land, and is regarded as one of the premier macro sites in PNG. Often this sight will produce ghost pipefish, frog fish, cuttlefish, varieties of nudibranchs and manta shrimp, but to name a few. Decons reef which is right next door is a dive under the jungle canopy that has large gorgonians and swim throughs. Often hammer heads are found on this dive. From here a skull cave tour should be organised.

The Spirit of Niugini will over night and sail for Tania’s Reef at first light. Sailing time approx 1 1⁄2 hours to Tania’s

DAY 8
TANIA’S REEF
Tania’s Reef is located in the Raven channel of East Cape, the most South Easterly tip of the main land. The reef is a pinnacle rising from the sea floor some 130’ below. With a reef top of 15’ were the mooring is located most vessels sit on top of the reef, were divers enjoy the luxury of diving of the larger vessels and have the top of the reef for deco. The reef is loaded with swarms of schooling fish, soft corals and is visited by the occasional large pelagic. This dive is one of the best in Milne Bay.

At noon the Spirit of Niugini should sail back to Tawali for the afternoon and have a Wok or BBQ at Tawali before sailing back to Alotau for the drop off. Sailing time to Tawali is approx 1 hour.

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