Dive Site: Stubborn Hellion

About Stubborn Hellion

The Stubborn Hellion is a well-documented American B25 Bomber wreck from WWII, located in Papua New Guinea's New Ireland Province. This historical dive site lies near Albatross Passage, one of Kavieng's signature dive locations, which is the first passage between mainland New Ireland and New Hanover island. The area itself is part of the Bismarck Sea, known for its rich marine biodiversity and proximity to Japanese WWII bases where many aircraft and ships were lost. This bomber rests upright in relatively shallow water, making it accessible and an important part of the region's underwater war history. The surrounding waters of Kavieng are famed for current-swept passages that attract diverse pelagic marine life, creating a dynamic environment even around the wreck. While the wreck itself is the primary attraction, the nearby reefs and passages offer a wider experience. Lissenung Island, a popular base for diving, is only 20 minutes away by boat, providing convenient access to Stubborn Hellion and other sites in the Kavieng region. The area's low population density ensures a pristine diving experience, often with no other divers for miles around. Diving the Stubborn Hellion offers wreck enthusiasts a clear view of a significant piece of history. The site's position allows for combination with other dives in the area, from critter-rich muck dives to pelagic-heavy drift dives, ensuring a varied underwater adventure.

Dive site facts: Stubborn Hellion

Depth

12 m

Current

Mild to strong (depending on tide/location)

Visibility

20–40 m

Water temperature

28–30°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Open Water

Dive type

Wreck, historical

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Kavieng, New Ireland Province

Coordinates

2.5925° S, 150.7834° E

Conditions & Currents

While the Stubborn Hellion itself is a static wreck, it is situated close to Albatross Passage, an area renowned for its vigorous currents. These strong currents are often associated with incoming tides, which bring in clear water and attract large pelagic species to the passages. Divers should be prepared for varying current strengths when approaching or diving in the vicinity of the wreck, particularly if planning to combine it with a drift dive through Albatross Passage. Entry and exit procedures will need to account for these conditions, with negative entry potentially required in strong flow. Visibility is often excellent in the Kavieng region, typically ranging from 20 to 40 meters, and water temperatures are consistently warm, around 28-30°C. While the wreck itself might be more sheltered, awareness of surrounding currents is crucial for safe planning and maximizing the dive exper

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey Reef Shark

common

Scalloped Hammerhead

occasional

Silvertip Shark

rare

Batfish

common

Jacks

common

Barracuda

common

Eagle Ray

common

Pygmy Seahorse

occasional

Nudibranch

occasional

Leaf Scorpionfish

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Access to the Stubborn Hellion is typically by tender from a liveaboard or resort day boat. Given its shallow depth of 12 meters and upright position, a direct descent to the wreck is standard. You can spend the entire dive exploring the B25 Bomber, meticulously documenting its historical details. The history of the Stubborn Hellion is well documented, making it an excellent site for wreck enthusiasts to identify different parts. The wreck is close enough to Albatross Passage that divers may experience some current, particularly on an incoming tide, which should be considered for gas planning. A typical dive allows ample bottom time for exploration. The ascent can be made directly from the wreck, with a safety stop easily conducted above the bomber in the clear, shallow water.

Underwater photography

The Stubborn Hellion, as a WWII B25 bomber, is an excellent subject for wide-angle photography. A fisheye or wide-angle lens will capture the entire structure in its shallow, upright position, especially with the generally good visibility in the Kavieng area. For detail shots, a macro lens might be useful for any small marine life that has colonized the wreck, though its primary appeal is the structure itself. Strobe positioning is critical to illuminate shadowed areas and bring out the textures of the metal without creating excessive backscatter from the sediment often found on wrecks. Maintaining excellent buoyancy is essential to avoid disturbing silt and to ensure clear shots of this historical artifact.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Albatross Passage

  A signature drift dive known for pelagic action and strong currents.

• Albatross Muck

  A macro diving site near Albatross Passage.

• Echuca Patch

  A large ridge in open ocean, attracting barracudas and jacks.

• Der Yang Wreck

  A scuttled Korean fishing boat on Echuca Patch, covered in corals.

• Lissenung Island Reef

  Excellent for photographers and night diving, with abundant critters.

• Coral Garden

  Coral Garden is a significant dive site in the Dominican Republic, featuring an impressive brain coral that has thrived for over 400 years…

Getting there & logistics

Diving the Stubborn Hellion typically begins with international flights to Port Moresby (POM) via Air Niugini, often from Cairns, Brisbane, or Sydney. From Port Moresby, a domestic flight takes you to Kavieng (KVG) in New Ireland Province. Many divers stay at Lissenung Island, a small private island resort just 20 minutes by boat from Kavieng, which offers daily dive excursions to sites like Stubborn Hellion. Alternatively, liveaboards operating in the Bismarck Sea region may include Kavieng in their itineraries, offering multi-day trips typically ranging from 7 to 10 days. There are no specific park fees mentioned for this site, but general tourism levies might apply in Papua New Guinea. The Stubborn Hellion is usually combined with drift dives in Albatross Passage and other reef or muck dives around Kavieng, providing a diverse experience of pelagic, wreck, and critter diving.

Safety & environment

While diving in Papua New Guinea offers incredible experiences, safety precautions are paramount due to its remote nature. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Port Moresby. In the event of a serious dive emergency requiring evacuation, the process would likely involve local transport to Kavieng and then air evacuation to Port Moresby, and potentially onward to Australia, emphasizing the need for comprehensive dive insurance that covers medical emergencies and air evacuation. Always dive with a reputable operator, ensure your equipment is well-maintained, and follow your dive guide's instructions. Currents in the Kavieng area can be strong, particularly around passages, so maintain good buoyancy control and be aware of your surroundings. Stay well within your training limits, especially given the remote location.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Stubborn Hellion FAQ

Liveaboards diving Stubborn Hellion

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

Febrina

Papua New Guinea

12 guests22.25 m

$389/day

Oceania

Papua New Guinea

16 guests27 m

$333/day