Dive Site: Josie’s Reef

About Josie’s Reef

Josie’s Reef is a notable dive site located in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. This area, known for its exceptional biodiversity and pristine coral formations, is a major highlight along New Britain's northern coast. Kimbe Bay itself is a definitive biodiversity hotspot, home to over two-thirds of all Indo-Pacific fish species, making Josie's Reef a prime example of the rich marine ecosystems found here. The reef features dramatic topography, including lush coral gardens and walls. It is characterized by an incredibly dense concentration of sponges, sea-whips, and diverse coral species. A particularly striking feature of Josie’s Reef is a giant sea-fan, reportedly larger than a bus, adding to the site's unique visual appeal. The dive offers exploration across a depth range, from relatively shallow areas down to 30 meters, revealing different habitats and marine communities. The marine life at Josie's Reef is abundant and varied, reflecting Kimbe Bay's status as a critical ecosystem. Divers can expect to encounter a myriad of tropical fish and invertebrate life, thriving amongst the vibrant coral and sponge cover. While specific seasonality for species at Josie's Reef isn't detailed, Kimbe Bay generally offers consistent marine life throughout the year due to its stable conditions. Access to Josie's Reef is typically managed through dive excursions from land-based resorts, such as Walindi Plantation Resort, which operates daily trips to explore the bay's reefs. It is suitable for Open Water certified divers and above, offering a rich experience for various skill levels without requiring advanced certifications for general exploration. This allows a broad range of divers to appreciate its unique underwater landscape.

Dive site facts: Josie’s Reef

Depth

10–30 m

Current

Moderate

Entry

Liveaboard only

Level

Beginner

Dive type

Reef, Reef

Region / port

Papua New Guinea

Coordinates

5.4673° S, 150.1555° E

Conditions & Currents

Moderate currents can run here, so plan drift entries and stay close to the group. Dive profiles here run between roughly 10 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 beginner divers. The site is reached by liveaboard, so entries are run from the tender or straight off the back deck. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.

Liveaboards diving Josie’s Reef

These liveaboards may visit Josie’s 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