Destination: Papua New Guinea
Kimbe Bay, Witu Islands and Fathers Reefs (7-10 Nights) | From 476++/night
MV Oceania is a 27-meter (88.5-ft) liveaboard catamaran that began operating in January 2019 out of Walindi Plantation Resort, alongside MV FeBrina in the Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea. She accommodates up to 16 divers in 8 comfortable en-suite cabins.
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Accommodations - Facilities - NEW! Schedule, Rates & Availability - Dive Info & Destinations
Location
Kimbe Bay on New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea.
Dive Overview
The marine life in Papua New Guinea, and particularly West New Britain, is amazing. Located in the coral triangle, there are vibrant and colorful reefs, clear water, abundant macro life, pelagic schools of fish and sharks. Visibility is generally 80-150 feet and water temp varies between 85-90F. Kimbe Bay, where Walindi Resort is located, is home to over half the world's coral species.
[See: Papua New Guinea Dive Travel Guide]
Accommodations
MV Oceania Cabin Information, Amenities and Photos
MV Oceania Accommodation Overview
MV Oceania accommodates 16 guests in 8 main deck, individually air-conditioned cabins, all with ensuite facilities.
General Facilities
MV Oceania Boat Features
- Dining area
- Sun deck
- Camera storage
- Spacious lounge
Food & Drinks Aboard MV Oceania
Meals are a blend of Western and Asian cuisines with healthy portions for divers. Seafood, beef, fruits, and vegetables are sourced locally. Dietary requests are accommodated wherever possible.
MV OCEANIA LIVEABOARD DIVE FACILITIES
- Spacious dive deck
- Tender boat for diving
- 22 x 12L Scuba dive tanks – DIN/YOKE fittings
- Nitrox
- Diving gear rental available
MV Oceania LIVEABOARD DECK PLAN
Schedule, Rates & Availability
MV Oceania Schedule & Rates
All prices are per person in USD. Environmental and Safety Fee payable in advance with final payment, currently $9 per person/per night (subject to change).
[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions]
Inclusions
- Accommodation on board MV Oceania as reserved
- All meals
- Four or five dives per day
- Filled tanks
- Weights and weight belt
- Airport transfers on day of departure and disembarkation
- Final night dinner at Walindi Resort or on board depending on Itinerary
- Light laundry daily
Exclusions
- Environmental and Safety fee
- Nitrox
- Rental equipment
- Courses
- Local beer & wine, alcohol
RATES & AVAILABILITY
For more information on other departure dates, rates, and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!
Dive Information & Destinations
Signature Itinerary
The Signature Itinerary covers three areas of diving on the Northern Coast of New Britain Island. Working out of Walindi Resort in our best weather months, the liveaboard visits the "must dive" sites in Kimbe Bay, at Witu Islands and also the Fathers Reefs area. Signature Itineraries are typically 9 and 10 nights.
With an eight to ten hour steam between all three areas, you will be truly "getting away from it all" on a Signature Itinerary departure. Very rarely will you see another diver on a reef while at Witu islands or Fathers Reefs, other than your fellow liveaboard guests.
This itinerary gives a fantastic cross-section of many different dive types, from coral gardens, sea mounts, reef walls, arches, and overhanging ledges, to muck diving in rubbly black sand bays, watching from the water as dolphins play or interacting with the ever curious turtles.
Mid Year Itinerary
During July and August, we cover two areas of diving on the Northern Coast of New Britain Island. Working out of Walindi Resort, the liveaboard dives in Kimbe Bay and Fathers Reefs, including Lolobau Island.
In July, we operate two Mid Year trips in conjunction with the Rabaul Mask Festival. One trip will depart Walindi and finish in Rabaul, arriving at the start of the festival. And the second trip departs from Rabaul at the end of the festival and returns to Walindi. Diving for these two departures covers Kimbe Bay and Fathers Reefs, plus a day diving around Rabaul.
The 8 night Mid Year itineraries in the shoulder months, late June and late November operate out of Walindi and also cover two areas, Kimbe Bay and either Witu Islands OR Fathers Reefs, whichever has the best diving at the time.
Other Itineraries
During the early months of the year, the boat relocates to take advantage of best weather months in selected areas of Papua New Guinea and offer alternative itineraries for repeat clientele. Alternate itineraries differ from year to year and include South Coast New Britain (out of Rabaul) and Milne Bay (out of Alotau).
South Coast New Britain diving is a wonderland of rare and unusual critters. Most of the diving is on fringing reefs and lagoons. This is quite different diving to the seamounts and deep drop-offs of Kimbe Bay and our North Coast itineraries.
Milne Bay area will excite lovers of pelagic fish as well as the smaller reef dwellers. Manta rays are regularly sighted on one particular reef.
A stopover in the Tufi area is included on Rabaul to Milne Bay trips and diving includes a mix of critters and pelagics, along with stunning above water scenery.
Other Information
BOAT SPECIFICATIONS
- Launch date: 2001
- Length: 88ft
- Beam: 29ft
- Draft: 6ft
- Maximum speed: 13 knots
- Builder: Oxford Yachts 27m by Sea Speed P/L
- Construction: Aluminum
- Engines: 2 Caterpillar 3306 Turbo Diesels
- Generator: 2 x Cat C4.4
- Water capacity: 3,000 liters
- Compressor: 2 x PE300 Bauer
- Nitrox compressor: 1 X Pilot Low pressure
- Dive tanks: 22 x 12 ltr tanks – DIN/YOKE fittings
- Maximum guests: 16
- Number of cabins: 8
- Number of crews: 9
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Time Zone: UTC+10
- Payment Onboard: Cash, Visa and Master card
- Language Spoken: English
Got Questions? Ready to Book?
Call us today at 310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com
And let us book your dream vacation!
Underwater Gallery
Photos provided by Darek Sepiolo, Franco Banfi, Marcelo Krause, Michele Westmorland & Nat Sumanatameya.
