About Cyclone Wall
Cyclone Wall is a renowned dive site located in Oro Province, near the remote town of Tufi, Papua New Guinea. Recognized as a premier wall diving destination, it is among the must-visit sites in the Tufi area. This dive offers a dramatic vertical drop-off, making it a classic example of exceptional wall diving within a region celebrated for its pristine coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity. The topography of Cyclone Wall is characterized by a sheer vertical face that begins at a shallow depth of 7 meters and plunges dramatically past 40 meters, eventually sloping out of sight. At different depth bands, diverse marine life and coral formations are observed. Around 20 meters, the wall is covered with expansive anemone colonies, interspersed with large gorgonian fans and sizable barrel sponges. Ascending to 10 meters, hard and soft corals become dominant, forming a vibrant habitat. Closer to the surface at 7 meters, large brain corals extend upwards, and this shallower zone is often frequented by Hawksbill and Green turtles, creating a serene environment for safety stops. The site boasts a variety of marine life, including numerous reef fish, Triggerfish, and Anthias, particularly in the mid-depth coral zones. Reef sharks and Scorpionfish are also regularly seen. Nudibranchs are a common sight, with one report mentioning multiple large funeral joruna. Although specific seasonality for marine life is not detailed, the site is known for year-round diving. Practical considerations include a typical boat ride of about an hour from Tufi Resort, with conditions that can sometimes be choppy. Dives are generally conducted in clear water, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters, though temperatures can sometimes be cooler, warranting a 5mm wetsuit in winter months.
Highlights
Vertical wall beyond 40mExpansive anemone fields at 20mLarge gorgonian fansHuge barrel spongesHawksbill and Green turtles at 7mAbundant reef sharksVibrant hard and soft coralsNumerous nudibranchs
Best Season
Diving at Tufi, where Cyclone Wall is located, is possible year-round. However, the period from October to November is considered optimal due to calmer and clearer water conditions, which can enhance critter encounters.
Dive site facts: Cyclone Wall
- Depth
- 7–40 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Wall, Wall
- Region / port
- Papua New Guinea
- Coordinates
- 9.0651° S, 148.8820° E
Conditions & Currents
Cyclone Wall is generally dived in conjunction with other Tufi sites, and while general Tufi information notes strong currents on channel and passage dives, specific current details for Cyclone Wall itself are not detailed beyond an early dive report mentioning choppy water for the boat journey. Visibility at the wall typically exceeds 30 meters, providing clear viewing conditions. Water temperatures can range from 26°C to 29°C, but during the PNG winter (June to September), temperatures might drop to 24-25.5°C (75-78°F), suggesting a 5mm wetsuit could be more comfortable for some divers. The site is accessible for Open Water divers, with its vertical profile offering varied depths for different certification levels.
Why dive Cyclone Wall from a liveaboard?
Cyclone Wall is one of Papua New Guinea's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Cyclone Wall on their Papua New Guinea itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Cyclone Wall
These liveaboards may visit Cyclone Wall on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Dive sites similar to Cyclone Wall
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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- Suitable for
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 12–25 m
- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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- Suitable for
- Intermediate
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- Liveaboard only
- Depth
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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Sponge Heaven is a renowned wall dive located in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, distinguished by its impressive vertical topography and rich marine biodiversity.
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- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 1–107 m
- Theme
- Wall