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Oceania

Papua New Guinea liveaboard

The new addition to the Walindi and FeBrina family, MV Oceania is a 27 metre catamaran accommodating just 16 guests and is set to begin operation in March 2019 out of Walindi Plantation Resort. Currently undergoing a complete refit, the Oceania promises to provide incredible diving experiences in ultimate comfort and luxury.

With a focus on diving charters within the Bismarck Sea, the Oceania will offer a choice of itineraries during the year to suit the weather patterns of each season. During the peak weather months, from mid September to November and April to June, the Oceania will operate 10 and 9 night Signature itineraries which include Kimbe Bay, Witu Islands and Fathers Reefs. June to August will be the 8 night Mid Year itineraries of Kimbe Bay Reefs and either Fathers Reefs or Witu Islands. From late November and early December the Witu Islands Itinerary will be offered, visiting Kimbe Bay Reefs and the coral reefs and black sand bays of the Witu Islands.

To find out more about this area, visit our PNG page.

Getting there
From Port Moresby you take a domestic flight with Air Niugini to Hoskins, which will take approximately 90 minutes. Upon arrival in Hoskins you will be met by a representative from Walindi/Oceania who will assist with your luggage and transfer by car to the resort, which will take approximately 55 minutes. Embarkation time is approximately 6pm on arrival day and disembarkation is no later than 9am on the final day.

Guide price: 8nts from £3000pp* / 9nts from £3700pp* / 10nts from £4000pp*
Includes: Accommodation & diving, meals, snacks & non-alcoholic beverages, tanks, weights & weight belts, personal light laundry service daily, airport or hotel transfers, complimentary wine with dinner, final night dinner at Walindi Plantation Resort.

Not included: International and domestic flights, hire equipment, nitrox, alcoholic beverages, environmental & safety fees, fuel surcharge (if applicable), excursions and gratuities.

*Price shown is for guide purposes only and is based on low season travel and for twin share accommodation. Please contact us for a confirmed cost based on your preferred duration and time of travel.

Extend your stay
Papua New Guinea has many options if you wished to extend your stay. The Oceania and Walindi Plantation Resort is a perfect twin centre itinerary to get your liveaboard and resort diving fix. Otherwise there is hiking the Kokoda Track, which covers the path of an iconic WWII battle between the Australians and the Japanese in the rainforest, experiencing the culture and traditions of the Huli people in Tari Valley, canoe along the narrow jungle waterways of the Karawari River or ride the surf on one of the many virtually undiscovered breaks.

Whatever you may fancy adding on to your Papua New Guinea trip we will be happy to guide you and to assist with your travel needs.

Quick Guide: Oceania

  • 27m length
  • Max 16 passengers
  • 8 Standard Cabins (5 Twin and 3 Double)
  • Recommended diver level: PADI Advanced or equivalent with minimum 25 dives

Accommodation & Facilities

The Oceania has 8 large, comfortable cabins which are located on the main deck. There are 5 x twin bed and 3 x queen cabins and all cabins have ensuite bathrooms, fresh towels daily, hairdryers, daily laundry service and large windows with ocean views.

On the main deck you will also find a spacious saloon, the dining area is located on the bridge deck and there is a huge sun deck above with comfortable seating and loungers.

The large dive deck has individual storage lockers for each diver, camera station with charging outlets,  fresh water shower and a supply of fresh towels.  There are 4 or 5 dives a day offered, 3 in the morning before lunch, followed by 1 in the afternoon and 1 night dive. All diving is conducted from the water level duckboard and from the specially fitted dive tender.

Itineraries

Oceania trips start on different days of the week, so please ask about the scheduled departures and we will be happy to help.

Signature Itinerary
Covers the three most popular diving areas of Kimbe Bay, Witu Islands and Fathers Reefs. MV Oceania will operate 10 and 9 night Signature itineraries ifrom mid September, October and November along with April, May and June.  Water temperatures are slightly lower in September, October and November and that means there are usually more of the smaller and unusual critters about. Kimbe Bay is home to some of the healthiest coral, as well as some of the largest diversion of both coral and fish anywhere on the planet.

“Mid Year” Itineraries 
From June, July and August and are shorter in duration with each trip being around 8 days. This itinerary visits 2 dive areas including Kimbe Bay Reefs and either Fathers Reefs or Witu Islands.

A long extinct volcanic caldera, Fathers Reefs are a series of offshore reefs located along the northern coastline of New Britain to the east of Kimbe Bay. These reefs are a hub of pelagic activity – masses of resident schools of barracuda, tuna and jacks are sure to delight divers with their sheer enormity. Sharks are commonly sighted, typically a myriad of reef sharks including black tips, white tips and silver tips. Volcanically formed swim throughs and arches are also common.

Witu Islands Itinerary
During late November and early December this itinerary visits Kimbe Bay Reefs and the Witu Islands, which are a group of islands, volcanic in origin, situated to the north west of Kimbe Bay. A cross section of diving includes dramatic sea mounts and protected black sand bays around the islands, so this area provides a perfect mix of both pelagic activity and critters.

Throughout the year MV Oceania will offer occasional specialist itineraries within the Bismarck sea and further afield.

Ready for your next adventure?

Great Escapes Diving Holidays Ltd

Combs Tannery
Tannery Road
Combs
Stowmarket
Suffolk
IP14 2EN
United Kingdom

Office hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 5pm
Tel: 01449 535010
Email: info@greatescapesdiving.com

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate

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