Dive Site: Fathers Reef

About Fathers Reef

Fathers Reefs, located northeast of Kimbe Bay off New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, are a series of offshore reefs formed from the submerged remnants of a massive, extinct volcanic caldera. This volcanic origin creates a dramatic underwater topography, featuring striking reefscapes, arches, swim-throughs, and lava tubes, all adorned with vibrant soft corals, gorgonians, and sea fans. The reefs rise from extremely deep water, leading to rich, nutrient-filled currents that support an abundance of marine life. Divers here encounter a lively ecosystem with large schools of pelagic fish, including barracuda, big-eye trevally, fusiliers, and anthias. The offshore location frequently attracts larger species such as gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and dogtooth tuna, alongside rays, dolphins, and turtles. Healthy hard corals and sponges blanket the reefs, while closer inspection reveals fascinating macro life like frogfish, crocodile fish, and diverse nudibranchs, with pygmy seahorses occasionally spotted within sea fans. While diving at Fathers Reefs is possible year-round, the prevailing ocean currents, which are crucial for attracting the abundant pelagic life, are best handled by intermediate to advanced divers. Entry is typically from liveaboards, offering easy access via water-level dive platforms. The warm water, ranging from 28 to 31 degrees Celsius, allows for extended bottom times.

Dive site facts: Fathers Reef

Depth

5–30+ m

Typical dive

12–30 m, 50–60 min

Current

Gentle to strong

Visibility

25–40 m

Water temperature

29–31°C

Entry

Liveaboard tender / backroll

Level

Intermediate to Advanced, current experience beneficial

Dive type

Reef, pelagic, seamount, drift, wide-angle

Night dive

Possible, conditions permitting

Region / port

Bismarck Sea, off New Britain Island

Coordinates

-5.452, 150.27

Conditions & Currents

The ocean currents around Fathers Reefs, while enriching the marine ecosystem, are best suited for intermediate to advanced divers. Liveaboards provide convenient entry with water-level platforms. Dive profiles here run between roughly 5 and 30 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for advanced divers. The site is reached by liveaboard, so entries are run from the tender or straight off the back deck. Because the flow can pick up quickly, drift profiles, a surface marker buoy and a tight group are standard practice here, and the crew's briefing always overrides any general description.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey reef shark

common

Whitetip reef shark

common

Silvertip shark

occasional

Dogtooth tuna

common

Barracuda

common

Horse-eye jack

common

Pyramid butterflyfish

common

Anthias

common

Fusilier

common

Green sea turtle

occasional

Hawksbill turtle

occasional

Eagle ray

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Fathers Reefs typically begin from a liveaboard tender, often with a backroll entry onto the reef top or along a seamount. You will navigate around the volcanic pinnacles and seamounts, which host a vibrant mix of soft and hard corals. Look for schools of jacks and barracuda in the blue, and keep an eye out for patrolling reef sharks. The dive will progress along walls and slopes, exploring swim-throughs and arches adorned with soft corals. Depths can range from the reef top at 5 meters down to 30 meters or deeper when observing pelagics. Currents can vary, providing drift opportunities. Ascent usually involves a gradual climb back towards shallower sections of the reef for a safety stop, often in the midst of schooling reef fish.

Underwater photography

Fathers Reefs offers exceptional opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For wide-angle, a fisheye or wide rectilinear lens is ideal to capture the expansive schools of jacks, barracuda, and pyramid butterflyfish, as well as the dramatic volcanic topography and abundant soft corals. Use strobes to bring out the vibrant colors of the reef and schooling fish, especially in deeper sections or during overcast conditions. When shooting large schools, consider using a larger aperture to keep more of the scene in focus. For macro, keep an eye out for small critters hiding within the coral formations, although the site is more renowned for its wide-angle subjects. Be mindful of your buoyancy around delicate corals and when approaching marine life. Ethical photography practices, such as avoiding touching the reef or disturbing animals, are essential to preserve this pristine environment.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Witu Islands - Circle of Stars

  Known for schooling fish and diverse coral environments, including black sand slopes and scenic seamounts.

• Kimbe Island

  A prime location within Kimbe Bay, celebrated for its rich marine biodiversity and healthy reefs.

• Bradford Shoals

  A seamount within Kimbe Bay, attracting pelagic species and featuring diverse coral growth.

• Rabaul Submarine Wrecks

  Offers historical WWII wreck diving alongside vibrant coral reefs and critter havens.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Fathers Reefs is primarily via liveaboard, typically departing from Walindi Plantation Resort in Kimbe Bay, New Britain. The closest major airport is Hoskins Airport (HKN), which requires a domestic flight from Port Moresby (POM). International flights generally arrive in Port Moresby. Liveaboard itineraries vary, but common trips range from 7 to 10 nights, combining Fathers Reefs with other areas like Kimbe Bay and the Witu Islands. These expeditions offer a comprehensive dive experience across the Bismarck Sea. It's advisable to check specific liveaboard schedules for combinations that include Fathers Reefs. No specific park fees are mentioned, as diving is usually integrated into liveaboard packages.

Safety & environment

The remote nature of Fathers Reefs means access to immediate medical facilities is limited. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Port Moresby. Evacuation in a dive emergency would require coordination with your liveaboard crew and likely involve air transport, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for emergency medical treatment and evacuation, is mandatory for all divers. Site-specific hazards include potentially strong currents, especially around seamounts; listen carefully to your dive guide's briefings. Divers should maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid damaging the pristine corals. Always dive within your training limits and follow all dive operator safety protocols.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Fathers Reef FAQ

Liveaboards diving Fathers Reef

These liveaboards may visit Fathers Reef on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Oceania

Papua New Guinea

16 guests27 m

$333/day

Febrina

Papua New Guinea

12 guests22.25 m

$389/day