Dive Site: Loloata Island

About Loloata Island

Loloata Island, a small island near Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, offers exceptional diving experiences within Bootless Bay. This location is renowned for its vibrant marine ecosystems and diverse dive sites, making it a popular choice for divers seeking world-class encounters close to the capital. The resort's dive operation accesses over 30 moored sites, all reachable within 10 to 30 minutes by boat, providing convenience and variety. The underwater topography around Loloata Island includes colorful coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and deep walls that plunge into Bootless Bay. These vertical reef faces, adorned with gorgonian fans and black coral trees, create natural highways for marine traffic, attracting both resident species and larger pelagics. Depths range from shallow reef crests to over 30 meters, accommodating a spectrum of dive profiles. Marine life around Loloata is abundant, with sightings of grey reef sharks, barracudas, and trevallies common along the walls. Seasonal appearances of hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, and manta rays further enrich the diving experience. The healthy reef systems boast exceptional coral diversity, including hard coral communities and anemone gardens hosting various clownfish species. Diving is conducted year-round, with specific seasons offering optimal conditions for visibility and calm seas. The dive center, with its long-standing reputation, provides fully equipped facilities, fast boats, and experienced guides. Divers are encouraged to carry appropriate insurance due to the cost of hyperbaric treatment, which is available in Port Moresby, less than 30 minutes away.

Dive site facts: Loloata Island

Depth

10–30 m (over 30 m at walls)

Typical dive

50 min

Current

Mild to strong

Visibility

10–30 m

Water temperature

25–30 °C

Entry

Boat

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Dive type

Coral reefs, walls, drop-offs, wrecks, pelagics

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Bootless Bay, Port Moresby

Coordinates

9.6042° S, 147.3147° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents around Loloata Island are generally mild, however, some advanced sites feature strong currents requiring drift diving techniques. Surge is typically absent. Divers may encounter varying conditions depending on the specific site, with visibility ranging from 10 to 30 meters. The wet season, from late December to early April, tends to reduce visibility, while the doldrums periods (late April to late May and late October to early December) see improving or good visibility and calm seas. Southeast trade winds from early June to early October can make the sea quite choppy. Water temperature fluctuates between 25°C in August/September and up to 30°C in March/April. Divers should monitor local conditions and plan dives accordingly, particularly for deeper wall dives that demand careful gas management and depth awareness.

Marine life & sighting chances

Rhinopias

rare

Long-finned bannerfish

common

Short-finned bannerfish

common

Moorish idols

common

Diagonal-banded sweetlips

common

Harlequin sweetlips

common

Pufferfish

common

Grey reef sharks

common

Hammerhead sharks

Seasonal · occasional

Barracudas

common

Trevally

common

Eagle rays

Seasonal · occasional

Manta rays

Seasonal · occasional

Octopus

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives around Loloata Island typically commence via boat entry from the resort, which boasts over 30 moored sites. A common dive profile, such as at "Di's Delight," starts with a descent to approximately 13 meters at the mooring point. Divers then navigate towards a series of bommies, around 20 meters from the main reef, where the true spectacle begins. The dive proceeds by exploring these bommies, circling them at deeper sections, often reaching depths of 30-32 meters or more in canyons between the structures. The objective is to maximize bottom time on the bommies, known for large gorgonian sea fans and schooling fish. Dives can extend to 70 minutes or more, with gradual ascent throughout the dive to stay within no-decompression limits. Safety stops are performed typically on the shallower reef sections or during final ascent.

Underwater photography

Loloata Island offers diverse photographic opportunities, requiring both wide-angle and macro setups. For the dramatic walls, extensive coral gardens, and large pelagic encounters like sharks and barracudas, a wide-angle lens is ideal. Capture the scale of enormous gorgonian sea fans, some measuring four meters across, and the vibrant reefscapes. For macro enthusiasts, the healthy reef systems and muck diving opportunities will yield subjects like the rare Rhinopias, nudibranchs, mantis shrimp, and various small critters. Good buoyancy control is essential, particularly on wall dives and when photographing delicate corals or elusive macro subjects. Consider external strobes to bring out the true colors of the marine life and reefs, especially at depth. Always maintain a respectful distance from marine life and avoid touching or disturbing the environment.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• End Bommie

  End Bommie is a renowned dive site located in Bootless Bay, near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

• Suzie's Bommie

  Suzie's Bommie is an impressive pinnacle dive site located outside the Sunken Barrier Reef in Bootless Bay, near Port Moresby, Papua New…

• Echuca Patch

  Echuca Patch is a prominent patch reef located just outside Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, specifically positioned on the Pacific Ocean side of…

• MV New Marine

  The MV New Marine is an intentionally scuttled vessel located in Bootless Bay, southeast of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Getting there & logistics

Loloata Island is conveniently located near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's capital, which is served by Port Moresby International Airport (POM). Divers typically fly into POM and then transfer to Loloata Island Resort, which is a short hop from the city and offers its own dive operation. The resort provides two dive boats, catering to small groups and ensuring efficient access to dive sites, most of which are within a 10 to 30-minute boat ride in Bootless Bay. There are no specific permits required for diving around Loloata Island. Trip lengths vary, but divers often combine stays at Loloata with other Papua New Guinea destinations like Kimbe Bay or Milne Bay. A small fee of two Kina (approximately 0.50 US cents) is charged per dive to support the maintenance of the hyperbaric facility.

Safety & environment

Diving at Loloata Island requires attention to safety protocols, especially given the potential for deep wall dives and strong currents at some advanced sites. A hyperbaric facility is available in Port Moresby, less than 30 minutes from the resort, offering crucial support in case of decompression sickness. However, treatment costs are significant, around US$500 per hour, making comprehensive diving insurance strongly recommended. Divers Alert Network (DAN) insurance can be arranged, though it may take up to 72 hours to activate if purchased on arrival. The dive center reserves the right to refuse diving to uninsured individuals. Divers should always dive within their training limits, maintain good buoyancy, and monitor their gas consumption, particularly on deeper profiles. Local dive guides provide detailed briefings and lead dives, ensuring safe exploration of the sites.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Loloata Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Loloata Island

These liveaboards may visit Loloata Island 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