Milne Bay to Kimbe Bay Adventure with Bob Halstead

For our second PNG trip of 2012 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 this adventure from Milne Bay to Kimbe Bay.

• Milne Bay to Kimbe Bay Adventure:  15th May 2012 to 30th May 2012

Milne Bay to Kimbe Bay Adventure Diving Expedition

Thistrip starts with the critters of Milne Bay before the boat slowly makes it way North East to Kimbe Bay, the home to some of PNG’s most dramatic reefs.  This trip is all about variety and adventure; there will be critters, reefs, some super fishy dives with the chance for some big fish and schools.  The reefs in Kimbe Bay are amazing with a huge variety of soft corals and sponges and walls rising from over 600 metres. While this route is not new it is an area that does not get dived a lot by recreational divers and there will probably be no other dive boats on this route at all, which is a luxury in this ever growing industry! Alan Raabe loves this route and it was him and Bob who took Howard & Michelle Hall and their 3D IMAX team for a few expeditions on this route where they managed to take sequences for their Under The Sea 3D IMAX film.  This trip is the perfect for getting a taste of all Papua New Guniea has to offer the intrepid diver.

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 $5250 to $6000, 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 in Alotau and finishes in Hoskins.
• 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.