Dive Site: Suzie's Bommie

About 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 Guinea. This prominent bommie rises dramatically from a white sandy seabed at 30 meters, with its colorful top reaching 13 meters below the surface. Divers typically swim approximately 25 meters across the sandy expanse from the main reef to reach this isolated, self-contained ecosystem. The site is celebrated for its abundant corals and exceptional diversity of fish life. Its steep sides are draped with sea fans and soft corals in a spectrum of pinks, yellows, and reds, creating a 'decorated Christmas tree' appearance. The varied topography supports both macro and pelagic species, making it a dynamic environment. While currents can be strong, they bring a rich food supply, attracting larger marine life. The bommie's flat top, around 14 meters, often hosts schooling fish, while deeper areas are home to resting sharks and elusive macro critters. This pristine reef ecosystem offers a world-class diving experience surprisingly close to the capital city, provided conditions are favorable. Accessibility is straightforward, with a short boat ride from Port Moresby or a nearby resort, allowing divers to explore this rich underwater landscape that showcases Papua New Guinea's renowned biodiversity.

Dive site facts: Suzie's Bommie

Depth

13–30 m

Current

Variable, can be strong

Visibility

Very good

Water temperature

26–31°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Pinnacle, coral reef

Region / port

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Coordinates

9.5691° S, 147.2515° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Suzie's Bommie can be variable, ranging from light to strong, particularly at its exposed location outside the Sunken Barrier Reef. Stronger currents often bring impressive pelagic sightings, including hammerheads and mobula rays. Divers should be prepared for potential drift and plan their entry and exit accordingly, typically by boat, requiring careful consideration of the current's direction and strength. Visibility is generally very good but can be influenced by weather and currents. Paying close attention to local weather forecasts and current reports is essential for maximizing enjoyment and safety at this site, as choppier surface conditions with waves exceeding 1.5 meters can occur during certain months.

Marine life & sighting chances

Whitetip Reef Shark

common

Pygmy Seahorse

common

Leaf Scorpionfish

common

Grey Reef Shark

occasional

Hammerhead Shark

occasional

Mobula Ray

occasional

Oriental Sweetlips

common

Moray Eel

common

Clownfish

common

Trevally

common

Barracuda

common

Napoleon Wrasse

common

Fusilier

common

Lionfish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at Suzie's Bommie typically begins with a boat entry, followed by a descent onto the white sandy bottom at 30 meters. From the main reef, you'll swim approximately 25 meters across this sandy expanse to reach the prominent bommie. The dive often starts by circling the base of the bommie at depths of around 30 meters, exploring for moray eels and larger species. As you ascend, the focus shifts to the richly decorated slopes, covered in sea fans and soft corals, where clownfish reside in anemones. A significant part of the dive can be spent on the flattened top of the bommie, around 14 meters, observing schooling oriental sweetlips and other reef fish. The safety stop is usually performed in the shallower sections, allowing for continued observation of smaller marine life and coral formations before surfacing near the boat.

Underwater photography

Suzie's Bommie offers exceptional opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the grandeur of the pinnacle draped in colorful soft corals and sea fans, especially with schooling fish like oriental sweetlips on the bommie's flattened top. To highlight the vibrant coral gardens and the overall structure, using external strobes is highly recommended. For macro subjects, such as pygmy seahorses tucked into gorgonian fans or leaf scorpionfish, a macro lens is essential. Patience and careful buoyancy control are crucial to avoid disturbing delicate critters and silting the sandy bottom. Be prepared for potentially strong currents when photographing pelagic species in the blue.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• MV New Marine

  A shallow prawn-trawler wreck with rich macro life and coral growth.

• Coral Garden

  A shallow reef known for remarkable hard corals and vibrant life.

• End Bommie

  Another excellent bommie site in Port Moresby, known for Lacy Scorpionfish and large sea fans.

• Pacific Gas

  A deliberately scuttled fishing boat wreck now forming an artificial reef.

• The Pinnacles

  Comprises three coral outcrops near Port Moresby, also known for Pygmy Seahorses.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Suzie's Bommie is typically arranged through local dive operators in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Divers often fly into Port Moresby's Jackson International Airport (POM), which has international connections, including via Brisbane (BNE). From Port Moresby, it's a short boat ride, approximately 20 to 30 minutes, to reach the dive site. Many divers opt to stay at the Loloata Island Resort, which is conveniently located three nautical miles from Suzie's Bommie and offers boat transfers. Liveaboards operating in Papua New Guinea may also include Suzie's Bommie in their itineraries, though land-based operators are common for this specific site. Park fees or specific dive permits may be included in package prices from resorts or operators.

Safety & environment

Diving at Suzie's Bommie is considered intermediate due to potential strong currents and depths up to 30 meters. Divers should have appropriate training, such as Advanced Open Water Diver, and experience with current diving. Hazards include strong currents, depth, and boat traffic. Always ensure proper dive planning, including gas management, based on expected conditions. The nearest recompression chamber would likely be in Port Moresby, but evacuation for severe medical emergencies in remote Papua New Guinea can be complex and time-consuming. Comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation is highly recommended. Always dive with a reputable operator, follow your dive guide's instructions, and carry an SMB.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Suzie's Bommie FAQ

Liveaboards diving Suzie's Bommie

These liveaboards may visit Suzie's Bommie 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