Milne Bay Critter Cruise with Bob Halstead

We have managed to lure in one of the true pioneers of critter diving, the man who coined the term “muck diving” and one of the original PNG diving pioneers Bob Halstead as our cruise director. Bob will be running operations onboard the much loved Golden Dawn for two back-to-back trips, the first being a critter special to Milne Bay.

• Milne Bay Critter Cruise:  1st May 2012 to 13th May 2012

The Critters of Milne Bay

Milne Bay features some fantastic reefs and walls but what the area is really famous for is ‘muck-diving’.  The variety and number of critters here is staggering and many of the species commonly found here feature on most macro-loving diver’s hit-list.  Some highlights include lacy scorpionfish (Rhinopia aphanes), blue-ringed octopus, ghost pipefish and nudibranchs galore but what really makes this area special is that you never know what you will find; there is always a good chance of finding something unexpected!  This expedition will be concentrating on the critter rich area around Milne Bay. Graham has dived this area a few times previously and found it to be really rich with quite a few unique species not seen in his usually hunting grounds round Indonesia. Bob Halstead was the original pioneer of this area and has discovered and named numerous species throughout this area over the years.  The Golden Dawn is a perfect vessel for this kind of diving. With her rear dive deck platform she offers open deck diving directly from the back of the boat down onto these rich critter sites. For those wanting to find new species or photograph and film this is the most ideal way to go for sure.

Bob Halstead

We have the pleasure of being joined by Bob Halstead, a true legend of the dive world who knows more about diving in PNG than anyone else on the planet.  Bob will be our cruise director for this trip, ensuring a really special PNG experience.  Since 1973 Bob has been pioneering diving in Papua New Guinea.  It’s getting on for forty years since he first started exploring the reefs of this exotic and remote country and he still continues to explore to this day!  In 1977 he started running ‘dive safaris’ to Milne Bay and has been leading trips there ever since.  It was here that he coined the phrase ‘muck diving’ to describe the act of searching for rare and interesting species in dive sites that were otherwise not very attractive. Bob has published numerous books and hundreds of articles on diving and marine life, is an award winning photographer and even has a couple of species of fish named after him!  He truly is a legend of the diving world.

MV. Golden Dawn

The boat we will be using is the MV. Golden Dawn, a charming vessel that is absolutely perfect for diving.  The rear of the boat features a large and extremely functional dive deck.  At many of the dive sites we will be putting the boat right where the action is, meaning that guests can dive straight from the dive deck to their hearts content.  Two rigid hull inflatable tenders are used for accessing those sites away from the anchorage and provide plenty of room for the small number of divers on board.

Nitrox is provided as part of the trip fee and there are rebreathers available; Nitrox and rebreather courses can be arranged during the trip.

Accommodation on the Golden Dawn is in one of five very comfortable cabins, all of which are air-conditioned with four being en-suite.  When guests aren’t diving there is a wonderful sun-deck and a comfortable lounge to relax in.

Details

Prices:

• From $4200 to $4800, depending on cabin.
• Included: All meals, soft drinks, four guided dives a day plus self-guided dives where possible, Nitrox.
• Not Included: Alcoholic beverages, equipment rental including rebreathers, dive courses, flights, gratuities.

Flight Information:

• The trip starts and finishes in Alotau.
• Flights are all via Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, with the state airline Air Nuigini.
• Flights to Port Moresby are available from Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and various Australian cities.
• Divers are granted an extra 15kg of baggage allowance on all Air Nuigini flights giving a total of 35kg on international flights and 31kg on internal flights.