Dive Site: Restorf Island

About Restorf Island

Restorf Island, nestled within Kimbe Bay on the north coast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, stands as one of over 200 recognized dive sites in this globally significant marine ecosystem. Kimbe Bay, part of the Coral Triangle, is celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity, harboring 76% of the world's coral species and more than 900 fish species. This site embodies the region's commitment to conservation with its "look but don't touch" policy, ensuring pristine conditions that attract both recreational divers and marine science researchers. The dive at Restorf Island typically explores vibrant coral reefs and seamounts, offering a dynamic underwater landscape. Divers navigate colorful coral gardens thriving with diverse fish life, crustaceans, and invertebrates. The topography includes spectacular hard and soft corals, with visibility often influenced by the time of year. While the specific marine life at Restorf Island isn't detailed in the provided sources beyond general Kimbe Bay observations, the region is known for large schools of barracuda, jacks, and tuna. Encounters with hammerhead and silvertip sharks are regular in the broader bay, along with occasional sightings of killer whales, dolphins, and dugongs. Macro enthusiasts can expect to find rare nudibranchs, tiny decorator crabs, and intricate shrimps. Diving at Restorf Island is accessible year-round, with calm conditions generally prevailing. The diverse offerings, from wide-angle pelagic action to intricate macro life, cater to a range of diving preferences. While specific current information for Restorf Island is not available, other Kimbe Bay sites can experience dynamic currents, suggesting a similar possibility here.

Dive site facts: Restorf Island

Depth

5–30 m

Current

Mild

Visibility

20–50 m

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Tender / Liveaboard

Level

All levels

Dive type

Reef, Critter, Macro

Region / port

Kimbe Bay, New Britain

Coordinates

-5.475, 150.19

Conditions & Currents

Restorf Island, situated within the sheltered Kimbe Bay, benefits from a generally calm environment, protected from open-ocean conditions by a chain of dormant volcanoes. Currents around the island are typically mild, making it suitable for divers of various experience levels. However, as with many sites in the Bismarck Sea, localized currents can occur and may influence fish behavior, often bringing schooling fish to life. Visibility remains consistently good to excellent, often ranging from 20 to 50 meters, due to the deep open waters of the Bismarck Sea that feed into the bay. Water temperatures are warm, averaging between 27-30°C, allowing for comfortable long dives. Entry and exit are usually straightforward, often from a tender boat, and divers can focus on buoyancy control to protect the abundant macro life and soft corals.

Marine life & sighting chances

Blue Ribbon Eel

common

Devil Scorpionfish

occasional

Twin Spot Goby

occasional

Pipefish

common

Crocodilefish

occasional

Garden Eel

occasional

Seahorse

occasional

Harlequin Ghost Pipefish

rare

Anemonefish

common

Sponges

common

Soft Corals

common

Hard Corals

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Restorf Island often begins with a descent near the reef slope, where divers can immediately appreciate the vibrant hard and soft corals. The dive master will guide the group along the varied topography, which transitions from coral-covered walls to areas with silty bottoms, ideal for macro life spotting. Divers can explore depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters, focusing on the abundant critter population in shallower areas and the larger sponges at moderate depths. A common route might involve a gentle drift along the reef, allowing ample time to examine crevices and overhangs for hidden creatures. The dive concludes with a gradual ascent, allowing for a safety stop over the shallower reef top, where schools of small reef fish often congregate, before returning to the surface for pickup.

Underwater photography

Restorf Island is a haven for both macro and wide-angle underwater photography. For macro enthusiasts, a 60mm or 100mm lens is highly recommended to capture the intricate details of blue ribbon eels, harlequin ghost pipefish, and various nudibranchs found in the critter-rich areas. Patience and a keen eye are essential when searching for the well-camouflaged devil scorpionfish or twin spot gobies. Wide-angle photographers will find excellent opportunities to frame the massive sponges and healthy soft coral formations, particularly with ambient light in the clear waters. Strong strobes are beneficial for bringing out the vibrant colors of the corals and for illuminating subjects in shaded areas. Maintaining excellent buoyancy is crucial to avoid disturbing the delicate silty bottom and its resident critters, ensuring clear shots and preserving the pristine environment.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Fathers Reef

  A string of volcanic seamounts known for pelagic encounters.

• Witu Islands - Circle of Stars

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

• Bradford Shoals

  An isolated seamount known for large schools of barracuda and pelagic action.

• Susan's Reef

  Features colorful soft corals and excellent wide-angle photographic opportunities.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Restorf Island primarily involves liveaboard trips departing from Walindi Plantation Resort in Kimbe Bay, New Britain. The nearest international airport is Port Moresby (POM) on mainland New Guinea, requiring a domestic transfer to Hoskins Airport (HKN) near Kimbe. Liveaboards typically offer itineraries ranging from 7 to 10 nights, combining dives within Kimbe Bay with excursions to more remote sites like the Witu Islands or Fathers Reef. Day trips to Restorf Island are also offered by local resorts. Currently, Papua New Guinea does not have specific national park fees for divers, but liveaboard and resort packages usually include all necessary permits and local fees. Travel to this remote region is an adventure, so allow ample time for connections.

Safety & environment

Diving in Papua New Guinea, including Restorf Island, requires adherence to standard safety protocols and comprehensive dive insurance. While Kimbe Bay is generally sheltered, remote locations mean that emergency medical facilities, including recompression chambers, are not immediately available. The nearest recompression chamber is likely in Port Moresby, necessitating complex and potentially lengthy evacuation procedures in case of a serious dive accident. It is imperative to have robust dive accident insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Divers should always dive within their certification limits, maintain excellent buoyancy control to protect fragile corals, and follow the guidance of experienced local dive guides who are familiar with the specific conditions and marine life of Restorf Island.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Restorf Island FAQ

Liveaboards diving Restorf Island

These liveaboards may visit Restorf 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