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Milne Bay Scuba Diving Cruises

M.V.Marlin 1 in Papua New Guinea...The land of Adventure and Excitement...Paradise!

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Introducing Milne Bay's premier eco-tourism dive boat "M.V.Marlin 1"

scuba dive milne bay reefs with marlin 1 diving charters liveaboard charter boat

M.V.Marlin 1 is the latest, and at only AUD$2200 per day private
charter for up to 6 passengers, the most affordable liveaboard
dive boat to operate in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.
(Only AUD$366 each with 6 sharing)

We specialise in Adventure Diving, Underwater Research and Film-making.
Experience the difference of diving the remote and beautiful areas of Milne Bay in style! We offer the complete diving and wilderness experience, No crowds, No pressure, No schedule. As we cater for only 6 guests our cruises are intimate and the day is planned to suit your needs. No one does it better than Marlin 1 Charters. Try us for your next dive trip. We will give you a wonderful time as we cruise the pristine and beautiful areas of Milne Bay. Unlimited diving and shore excursions to rainforest, waterfalls, scull caves and village life. Your whole experience will be packed with beauty and adventure.

Sample itinerary for a 10 day trip.(subject to weather conditions and the groups requirements)
Day 1
Sea fan

Dive the wreck of the Muscoota, Samarai Wharf and China Strait area.
Day 2
Diving with the "Gentle Giants" at the Manta Ray cleaning station and other close reefs.
Day 3
Last dive with the Mantas, Grant Island area and the P38 aircraft wreck at Basilaki Island.
Day 4 and 5
Nuakata Island area including Black and Silver, Trish's Bommie, Bob's Bommie, Tunnel Reef,
Jason's Reef, Peer's Reef and Boirama Reef.
Day 6
Banana Bommie and Boia Boia Waga Island area including Cobb's Cliff.
Day 7 to 9
Diving all the wonderful sites on the North Coast of Milne Bay. These include Dinah's Beach,
Deacon's Reef, Basilisk Point, Sponge Heaven, Kathy's Corner and many more.
Day 10
We dive our way back to Alotau and enjoy a farewell dinner at the Lodge in the evening.

The above is a general idea only and may vary considerably due to weather and also the wishes of the group.
The diving is unlimited and depends only on how much travelling we do. At some of the great dive sites where we stay for a full day you may dive as often as you like, within the safe limits of your computor.

Some of the well known Milne Bay Dive Sites that we visit :
WRECK of the MUSCOOTA
Iron hulled clipper ship launched by Queen Victoria and originally named the Buckingham. It was converted to a coal-refueling barge for World War 2, and scuttled at the end of the war when it sprang a leak. The bow tip is exposed with the stern in mud at 24m. The Muscoota is covered with marine life, including clams, soft corals and sponges. The surrounding sea-grass and silt bottom is home to Seahorses, Ghost Pipefish, Flying Gurnard, Ribbon Gobies and many other interesting creatures. A WW2 dump site is located approx 50m from the Muscoota wreck.
scuba dive milne bay papua new guinea, png

scuba dive milne bay papua new guinea, png

P38 LIGHTNING AIRCRAFT.
This aircraft's call sign was 2-66869, but all flight details are lost. The pilot ditched the aircraft and came ashore in a liferaft. The wreck is upright and intact except for the propellers which broke off on impact and were recovered in 1994 and placed near the wreck. The maximium depth of the wreck is 27m (90ft). It has little marine growth and is home to Sweetlips and Crocodilefish. The aircraft nose points to the reef so dives usually end with an interesting ascent up the reef back to the boat.
BANANA BOMMIE
A large coral mount coming from 43m (140ft) to just 2m (7ft) from the surface. Divers are able to dive around the full circumference of the reef with a single tank. The South side of the reef is littered with soft corals of all descriptions. Large schools of fish feed off this face. A large school of Bat Fish, Grey Reef Sharks, Red-lined Sea Cucumbers, nudibranchs and many reef fish are normally found where the current meets the reef.
SULLIVAN'S PATCHES
There are two main reefs.At least two dives are required to explore these reefs. In the early 1980s Crown-of Thorns destroyed the reefs but an amazing rejuvenation has taken place since and the reefs now have vibrant corals and schools of fish. Large animals are sometimes seen, especially Manta Rays and the odd cheeky Hammerhead Shark.
COBB'S CLIFF
A deep dive is possible along the steep drop off 50+m (165+ft) but most action is in the first 20m (65ft). The ridge top drops back in the center to a sandy lagoon to 20m (65ft). This site is frequently visited by large pelagics such as Manta Rays and Hammerhead Sharks. The reef also hosts a variety of macro subjects such as Leaf and Lacy scorpion fish, Rhinopias, Blue Ribbon Eels, Elegant Fire Gobys plus deep water Anthias and sand tilefish in the deep water.
WAHOO REEF
A small point located on the North side of the mainland with a shelf at 8m (26ft) dropping with a sheer wall down to 60+m (200+ft). This site is sometimes visited by Hammerheads, Manta Rays. The site also hosts a variety of anenomies, a school of Barracuda and very large Elephant ear sponges. A great place for wide angle photography. Excellent snorkling along the edge of the dropoff
DINAH'S BEACH
Scullcave

You could spend a number of days diving and snorkling this location. Straight off the boat, no deeper than 8m (26ft )of water, you have an incredible collection of cleaning stations. The site has a variety of octopus and on occasions, the Mimic has appeared. Other critters on this site are: Blue Ribbon Eels, Cuttle fish, Lion fish, A huge variety of Nudibranchs, Manta Shrimps, Mandarin fish, Frog fish, Sea horses, Ghost pipe fish, Cockatoo wasp fish, etc. etc.
Ashore, a vigorous walk up the stream leads through tropical rainforest to two splendid waterfalls, and the bird life is rich and varied. Here we have the opportunity to visit the village and skull caves.
DEACON'S REEF
A steep dropoff rises from beyond 300m (1000ft) to form a series of coral towers very close to a cliff with overhanging trees. Between towers and cliff is an area of sea fans and whips and exquisite coral growth. Often large animals including Hammerhead and other Sharks and Rays are seen here.
DOUBILET REEF
This is one of the finest reefs in Milne Bay but unfortunately is not always accessible because of currents and weather. It has an incredible forest of pink sea fans with red sea whips, black corals and barrel sponges. The top has a beautiful coral garden with large plate corals in shallow water.
OBSERVATION POINT
A true rubble dive. Sand slopes going down 30m (100ft) host snake eels, Star Gazers, Pipe fish, Flamboyant Cuttle fish, Mimic Octopus, Spanish Dancers, Cuttle fish, Fire urchins with Coleman shrimp and the Bugs Bunny Scorpion fish.
SPONGE HEAVEN
A sheer wall starting at 1m (3ft) below the surface dropping to 60+m (200+ft) is honey-combed with small caves. Huge variety of sponges and home to a variety of Nudibranchs, including the large Spanish Dancer.
scuba dive

JASON'S REEF
A small coral mound located in 45m (150ft) of water. This mound has large schools of Banner fish and Fusiliers as well as many pelagics. Also on this mound is the sought after Rhinopias or Weedy Scorpion fish.
LITTLE CHINA
A coral mound coming out of 45m (150ft) of water. Typical of over 30 dive sites in close proximity. Large schools of fish over the front face, soft coral gardens where both macro and wide angle photographers can be more than satisfied.
PELAGIC POINT
This dive site has relatively strong currents and because of these currents there are large schools of fish patrolling a steep wall dropping off to 40m (130 ft).
WATERMAN RIDGE
This is a reef ridge extending from Grant Island. It is stacked with fish life, hard and soft corals and gorgonians. Unfortunately it is not always possible to dive here in the South East season.
BLACK and SILVER REEF
Coral mound in 35m (120ft) of water. This site plays host to a large variety of crinoids. The front slope of this reef is covered with a variety of black coral trees. The colours changing from black in the shallow water to a ghostly silver below 22m. Off the slope, huge schools of fusiliers, anthias and jacks circle. Excellent for wide angle.
GIANTS at HOME
A recently discovered Manta Ray cleaning station in shallow water in Milne Bay.
Manta ray at cleaning station

See giant Manta Rays taking turns to approach a small coral bommie where they are cleaned by the small cleaner wrasses. While hovering over the bommie being cleaned the mantas allow divers to approach closely.

We recommend the books "The DIVE SITES of PAPUA NEW GUINEA" and the Lonely Planet guide "Diving and Snorkling Papua New Guinea" both by Bob Halstead as a valuable source of information for divers considering a dive trip to this marvellous part of the world.

Pricing and Payments
Private charter of M V Marlin 1 is AUD$2200 per day all inclusive.
(Only $366 each with 6 sharing)

20% non-refundable deposit to confirm your charter with the balance due 30 days prior to departure.
Payment by Bank Transfer or Cash.
Our prices are in Australian dollars.

If you decide you would like to join us for a diving adventure in Milne Bay,
Papua New Guinea please look at this form....Our Disclaimer
We require you to read and sign this form before diving.

Information required before diving from Marlin 1.
Your qualifications, "C Card" type and number and log book. Please bring these with you.
Specify any medication you are taking before you commence diving.
Any special dietry requirments should be advised at time of booking.

Pair of fish Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

Comments from our Guests

Michael Aw's millennnium trip 2000
The best thing about diving with MV Marlin 1 is the fact that you will be always be diving in very small groups. Because of her size and mobility, the vessel is an obvious choice for documentary maker, serious photographers and researcher. I definitely recommend the boat.
Michael AW, Executive Editor, Asian Geographic

Michael can be contacted at one@michaelaw.com

28 day underwater filming charter for the BBC Natural History Unit.

BBC reference

We would love to hear from you...info@marlin1charters.com.au...Please email us.
Boat satellite phone. International...+ 61 145 117098...............From within Australia...0145 117098
Snail mail to: P.O.Box 5, Alotau, MBP, Papua New Guinea

Home	Research	Scuba diving	Birdwatching	Adventure cruises	Marlin 1 details	Your crew
Newsletters	References	Getting to PNG	Hydrographic survey	FAQ's	Alotau Lodge	Picture gallery

Please email us...dive@marlin1charters.com.au...We would love to hear from you
(We are sorry but because of too much spam this is not an active link. Please copy and paste to your email.)
Boat satellite phone international... + 61 145 117098
From within Australia...0145 117098
Snail mail to P.O.Box 5, Alotau, MBP, Papua New Guinea