Dive Site: Susan's Reef

About Susan's Reef

Susan's Reef is a highlight of Kimbe Bay, located on New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, celebrated for its pristine condition and rich biodiversity. This dive site is composed of two seamounts that ascend close to the surface, connected by a natural saddle, creating a unique topography. The shallower of these seamounts culminates at approximately 5 meters, making it accessible for a range of divers. The entire structure is adorned with an impressive array of soft corals, sea fans, and anemones, creating a stunning visual display. When currents are present, the reef truly comes alive with vast numbers of small fish. Kimbe Bay itself is a designated Marine Protected Area and is part of the Coral Triangle, a region globally recognized for its exceptional marine diversity. It boasts an incredible seventy percent of all Indo-Pacific marine species, from minute invertebrates to larger pelagics like sharks and dolphins. This richness is sustained by nutrient-rich currents from the Bismarck Sea, which feed the bay's extensive coral ecosystems. The area acts as a crucial marine nursery, contributing to the prolific life found on reefs such as Susan's. Diving at Susan's Reef offers abundant opportunities for both macro and wide-angle photography. The site is particularly famous for its photogenic pink sea whips and spectacular red corals. Expect to encounter a variety of reef fish, nudibranchs, and various critters. Sightings of pygmy seahorses, including both Bargibanti and Denise species, are also a special draw. Walindi Plantation Resort serves as a primary access point to this site, providing comprehensive briefings and guided dives. The prevailing conditions in Kimbe Bay generally include excellent visibility, often ranging from 25 to 40 meters, and comfortable water temperatures averaging 26°C. While currents can occur and enhance marine life activity, the site is generally suitable for divers with varying experience levels.

Dive site facts: Susan's Reef

Depth

5–20 m

Typical dive

12–18 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

25–40 m

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Tender / Liveaboard

Level

Beginner to Advanced

Dive type

Reef, wide-angle, macro

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Kimbe Bay, New Britain

Coordinates

-5.438, 150.245

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Susan's Reef can vary from mild to moderate, often bringing in nutrient-rich waters that attract schools of small fish and enhance the vibrant marine ecosystem. While not typically a drift dive, divers should be prepared for potential currents, especially around the saddle connecting the two seamounts. Entry is usually via tender boat, allowing for precise placement near the reef.

Marine life & sighting chances

Bargibanti pygmy seahorse

occasional

Denise pygmy seahorse

occasional

Pink sea whip

common

Anemone

common

Sea fan

common

Soft coral

common

Razorfish

common

Nudibranch

occasional

Reef fish (various species)

common

Small schooling fish

common

Eel

occasional

Crab

occasional

Shrimp

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Susan's Reef typically begins with a tender drop close to one of the seamounts, allowing for immediate exploration of the vibrant reef structure. The dive usually proceeds along the ridge and saddle connecting the two seamounts, where the most prolific soft corals and sea fan gardens are located. Depths often range between 5 to 20 meters, with the top of the shallower seamount sitting at around 5 meters, perfect for extended bottom time and wide-angle photography. As you navigate the reef, pay close attention to the smaller details for macro subjects like pygmy seahorses and nudibranchs. The turn point is generally determined by air consumption or NDL limits, with a gradual ascent along the reef slope. The safety stop is conducted in the shallow, coral-rich areas near the surface, offering additional opportunities for observing small reef fish and hard coral formations before surfacing for pick-up by the tender.

Underwater photography

Susan's Reef offers outstanding opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography, making it a prime location to utilize a versatile setup or plan for multiple dives with different lens configurations. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or rectilinear wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the expansive soft coral gardens, dramatic sea fan formations, and the overall reef topography, especially with the sunball behind your subject. Consider external strobes to bring out the vibrant reds and pinks of the corals, which can be muted at depth. For macro enthusiasts, a 100mm or 60mm lens paired with diopters is recommended to capture the intricate details of pygmy seahorses, nudibranchs, and other small critters. A snoot can be particularly effective here to highlight macro subjects against a clean background without disturbing the delicate reef. Excellent buoyancy control is paramount to avoid contact with the pristine corals, and patience is key when photographing shy subjects like pygmy seahorses.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Fathers Reef

  Iconic dive site with massive bommies, barracuda tornados, and whitetip reef sharks.

• Bradford Shoals

  Prominent seamount known for abundant pelagic action, including barracuda, trevally, and sharks.

• Observation Point

  Observation Point, situated on Normanby Island in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, stands out as a premier destination for macro diving.

• Der Yang Wreck

  The Der Yang wreck, a Taiwanese long-line fishing vessel, rests on its starboard side at a depth of 30 meters near the Echuca Patch reef…

• Restorf Island

  Features healthy reefs, resident giant barracuda, and blacktip reef sharks with good wide-angle and macro opportunities.

• Witu Islands - Circle of Stars

  Famous for schooling fish, soft corals, and unusual critters.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Susan's Reef primarily involves flying into Port Moresby (Jacksons International Airport, POM), then taking a domestic connecting flight to Hoskins Airport (also known as Kimbe Airport) on New Britain Island. From Hoskins, it's approximately a 50-minute transfer to Walindi Plantation Resort, which is the main land-based operation for diving Kimbe Bay. Liveaboards like the MV FeBrina and MV Oceania also operate itineraries covering Kimbe Bay and the Witu Islands, typically offering 8- to 10-night trips. Dive trips are usually packaged to include transfers, accommodation, and guided dives. While there are no specific national park fees for diving Kimbe Bay, tour operators may include local community or conservation levies. It is common for Susan's Reef to be combined with other Kimbe Bay sites such as Fathers Reef, Bradford Shoals, and South Emma due to their proximity and complementary dive profiles.

Safety & environment

Diving at Susan's Reef is generally safe, but adherence to standard dive safety procedures is crucial. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Port Moresby, making evacuation a significant consideration in case of a serious dive emergency. Therefore, comprehensive dive insurance covering emergency evacuation and treatment is mandatory for all divers. Site-specific hazards include potential currents, which can vary in strength; divers should be proficient in current diving techniques or be guided by experienced professionals. Always maintain good buoyancy to avoid contact with the delicate coral structures. It is important to stay hydrated in the warm climate and to follow all instructions from your dive guide. Local dive operators at Walindi Plantation Resort provide thorough briefings for each site, including potential hazards and conduct rules, ensuring a well-prepared and safe dive experience.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Susan's Reef FAQ

Liveaboards diving Susan's Reef

These liveaboards may visit Susan'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