The perfect combination: Dive the multitude of WWII ship and plane wrecks close to Kaivuna Resort Hotel, that now form a dazzling artificial reef. Then complete your Rabaul stay at the brand new beachside Rapopo Plantation Resort providing you with easy access to some of PNG’s most famous and spectacular reefs. Over 30 premiere dive sites to choose from.

New Britain is PNG's largest island. East New Britain Province is the eastern part of the Island, where Rabaul is located, about 2 hours flight North East of PNG’s capital, Port Moresby. Since three of the volcanos which surround the caldera erupted simultaneously in September 1994, business and the airport have been relocated to Kokopo which is 20 km south east of Rabaul.

As with other PNG towns, Rabaul was the scene of WWII conflict, and war wrecks litter the land and surrounding reef systems.   Many documentaries have been filmed in and around Rabaul. It has a history of strategic battles and volcanic eruptions, creating both amazing scenery and world-class diving.

At Bitapaka War Cemetery over 1000 Allied war dead are buried. The hillsides of Rabaul are honeycombed with nearly 600km of tunnels and caverns built by the Japanese.  One huge passage cut into a hillside still houses five barges lined up in readiness for emergency.  Avoided by the local people, many of the tunnels have not been entered since the war.  Whole hospitals, living quarters, storage and workshop systems exist…many with natural ventilation that bears testimony to the industry and ingenuity of the Japanese.  Coins, uniform buttons and buckles, bicycles, bottles, chains and ammunition and other relics are still being found by intrepid torch bearing tunnel explorers on the organised tours.  Bats and the occasional pig add to the thrills!

Rabaul has long been known for its spectacular fish life and WWII shipwrecks and planes that litter the coastline. Sitting at the gates to both the Bismarck sea and the Solomon Sea,  Rabaul is and underwater wonderland to the adventurous diver, with visibility 20+ metres in the harbour and 40+ metres outside

The Diving

Simpson Harbour boasts a multitude of ships and plane wrecks from WWII when Rabaul was the biggest Japanese Naval and submarine base for the South Pacific. It was the fortified base and staging area for Japan’s invasion of  Papua New Guinea.

A selection of these wrecks are accessible to divers and offer unique experiences enhanced by exhilarating reefs, walls and drop-offs.  It is truly the Mecca for the adventurous wreck diver.

The wrecks are in depths from 5 to 50 metres. You can drop into the WWII factory ship “Hakkai Maru”, so large that it resembles a ten storey building, or reflect on the fate of the Mitsubishi bi-plane’s pilot from his seat in the forward cockpit.

Almost all the wrecks of Rabaul are Japanese, and most were sunk during 1944 as a result of sustained allied bombing.  Many of the ships were fully loaded so that you are diving on vessels with all the materials of a nation at war on them.

Rabaul was the site of an incredible volcanic eruption in September 1994.  Most of the township and airport was devastated, and the wrecks which make this area famous with divers were covered with volcanic ash.

Miraculously, only two of the 112 charted wrecks were destroyed by the eruptions, and a new wreck site was discovered during post eruption inspections.

By now the ash has washed away, visibility back to normal and the wrecks returned to the sea by the action of corals and marine growth – don’t miss them.

The Dive Locations

RABAUL HARBOUR
Italy Maru
A 5859 tonne Japanese transport vessel sunk December 27, 1943.  The ship rests on her starboard side.  Depth range is 31 metres to the topside and 45 metres to the sand.  Visibility is usually around 15-25 metres and some good fish life inhabits the wreck.

Manko Maru
The twisted steel and gaping holes tell their story of the vessel’s fate on November 2, 1943.  It is home now to trevally, emperor, coral trout and moray eels who have located themselves on the remaining deck winches.  The Manko Maru is an easy wreck to penetrate and a memorable dive.

Zero Aircraft
This Japanese fighter plane, once a master of the air in the South Pacific arena, now lies on the sandy bottom.  This is an example of the very last zero model ever manufactured.  Virtually intact, divers can sit in the cockpit and pilot themselves back into the past.  Depth range is approximately 32 metres to the bridge, 50 metres to the deck and 63 metres to the sand.  Visibility is usually around 10-30 metres.

Japanese Crane
A Japanese floating crane sunk by allied aircraft after being towed from Singapore.  The pontoon and crane remains upright.  Visibility is usually 20-25 metres.  A coral reef with many fish species nearby.  This dive is usually done from the shore and is approximately a 200 metre swim, or a dive boat can be used.

PIDGIN ISLANDS
Pidgin Island Reefs (a minimum of 3 divers required for these dives)
Dive a couple of spectacular walls and drop offs in a tidal current.  Diving starts in 6 metres of water and increases.  Visibility is usually around 15-25 metres.

Duke of York Islands
Several off shore reefs give divers a wide range of diving conditions including spectacular corals and diverse fish life.  The dive starts in 6 metres of water.  Visibility is usually 20-30 metres.
Two Japanese wartime tanks can also be dived in shallow water.  Arrangements to land on the beaches to visit the villages between dives are an added bonus.

NORTH COAST AREA
Georges Wreck
Originally a Japanese cable layer, later converted to lay mines.  The vessel rests upright on a 35 degree slope.  Depth range is 12 metres at the bow and 60 metres to the sand at the stern.  The bridge area is around 30 metres.  Visibility is usually 20-30 metres. 
A reef to complete your safety stop has abundant sea life.

“Pete” Bi Plane
Whilst at anchor off a gently sloping reef, this unique plane was gunned by fighters and sank on the sandy bottom.  A short drift dive over a beautiful reef brings you to the single-engined observation plane code-named “Pete” by the allies.  These long range reconnaissance planes carried a pilot and navigator as well as forward and rear guns.  The fish life and coral complete what is already a very special wreck dive.  Depth range is 28 metres to the sand.  Visibility is usually 20-25 metres. 

The Hump
A spectacular undersea mountain which forms part of the extinct flooded Tavui volcano caldera.  Its position is in the Saint George’s Channel and is swept by tidal currents that ensure abundant marine life.  Depth is 27 metres at the shallowest point.  Visibility is 20-30 metres.

Sub Base Wall
A sheer coral faced wall which drops 200 metres to the bottom.  It is right in front of the Sub Base Resort and has abundant marine life.  Pontoons over the reef allowed Japanese submarines to replenish supplies and have relative safety from attack.  Depth is 12 metres onwards.  Visibility 20-30 metres.

Sub Base Beach
Another sheer coral faced wall which forms part of the Tavui Caldera.  It is a 5 minute boat ride from the Sub Base Resort and again has abundant marine life.  Depth 12 metres plus.  Visibility 20-30 metres.

Matalau Beach
Dive a wrecked Piper Aztec aircraft in 12 metres of water and move out to the scuttled freighter Yampilass in 25 metres of water.  The wrecks are home to hoards of fish life.  Visibility 15-25 metres.  You’ll be given some canned fish to feed a friendly Moray Eel and a few of his mates.

Midway Reef (dive 1 West Wall)
Dive a spectacular wall with all types of fish.  The dive starts in 6 metres of water and carries on.  There are small interesting caves at 20 metres and the drift back to the boat affords all kinds of marine life.  Visibility 15-25 metres.

Midway Reef (dive 2 East Wall)
Dive amongst spectacular Gorgonian fans and a coral wall with all types of fish.  The dive starts in 6 metres of water.  Visibility is 20-30 metres.  Bring your camera!