Dive Site: The Bottleshop

About The Bottleshop

The Bottleshop is a distinctive dive site situated within Kavieng Harbour, renowned as the area's best muck dive. This site developed around the pylons of an old slipway, where years of discarded bottles, cans, and tires have formed an artificial reef. These man-made structures provide an ideal environment for a diverse array of small and unusual marine creatures, making it a hotspot for macro enthusiasts. Unlike typical coral reefs, The Bottleshop offers a unique underwater landscape focusing on intricate life within and around the debris. The maximum depth here is 16 meters, suitable for beginner divers due to its accessible depth and generally calm conditions within the harbor. The site is a treasure trove for finding specific critters that thrive in such habitats, including ghost pipefish, demon stingers, allied cowries, and a variety of nudibranchs and shrimps. Octopus, pipefish, and seahorses are also frequently encountered, showcasing a vibrant miniature ecosystem. Its calm waters and sheltered location make it an excellent choice even when other sites are affected by weather. Visibility typically ranges from 4 to 12 meters, which is common for muck diving environments where finer sediments may be present. This makes close-up observation and photography particularly rewarding. Divers can expect a relaxed exploration, focusing on discovery rather than vast panoramas.

Dive site facts: The Bottleshop

Depth

Up to 16 m

Typical dive

Muck dive, focused on macro life

Current

Mild to none

Visibility

4–12 m

Water temperature

28–29°C (82–84°F)

Entry

Boat

Level

Beginner

Dive type

Muck, macro, artificial reef

Region / port

Kavieng, New Ireland Province

Coordinates

6.4183° S, 149.5105° E

Conditions & Currents

As a site located within Kavieng Harbour, The Bottleshop generally experiences calmer conditions compared to open ocean dives, making it accessible for divers of various experience levels. While strong currents are a feature of other Kavieng sites, this muck dive is typically sheltered. However, visibility can vary between 4 to 12 meters, influenced by recent rainfall or harbor activity, and may be lower than open water sites. Divers should plan for a relaxed pace, allowing ample time for macro exploration, and be mindful of potential sediment disturbance. Entry and exit are typically by boat, directly into the sheltered waters.

Marine life & sighting chances

Ghost Pipefish

occasional

Demon Stinger

occasional

Allied Cowries

occasional

Nudibranchs

occasional

Shrimps

occasional

Octopus

occasional

Pipefish

occasional

Seahorse

occasional

Small fish

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at The Bottleshop typically involves a boat entry into the sheltered waters of Kavieng Harbour. The dive begins around the pylons of an old slipway, descending to a maximum depth of 16 meters. Divers then explore the artificial reef created by discarded bottles, cans, and tires, which serve as excellent camouflage and habitat for a variety of macro life. The focus is on slow, methodical searching to spot cryptic creatures such as ghost pipefish, demon stingers, allied cowries, and numerous species of nudibranchs and shrimps. The dive typically follows the contours of the slipway and surrounding debris field, allowing for close observation of octopus, pipefish, and seahorses. Given the shallow depth and lack of strong currents, bottom time can be extended, often around 60 minutes. The dive concludes with a gradual ascent, and a safety stop can be performed anywhere in the shallow, calm waters of the harbor.

Underwater photography

The Bottleshop is a must-dive for serious macro photographers due to its unique ecosystem. A macro lens (e.g., 60mm or 100/105mm) is essential to capture the intricate details of its camouflaged inhabitants. Strobes are highly recommended to bring out vibrant colors and provide sufficient light, especially given the variable visibility which can be as low as 4 meters. A focus light or snoot can further enhance lighting for specific subjects like ghost pipefish or nudibranchs. Excellent buoyancy control is critical to avoid stirring up the silty bottom and compromising visibility for both yourself and other photographers. Patience is key, as many creatures blend seamlessly with the debris, requiring a keen eye and careful approach to observe and photograph without disturbance.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Echuca Patch

  A large ridge outside Kavieng, with a nearby wreck of the 'Der Yang'.

• Nusa Blowholes

  Features swim-throughs, a cave with crayfish, and frequent whitetip shark sightings.

• Lissenung House Reef

  An ideal spot for photographers and night diving, home to seahorses and various clownfish.

• Der Yang Wreck

  A colorful Taiwanese fishing boat wreck scuttled in 1988, encrusted with corals.

• Albatross Passage

  Known for strong currents attracting large pelagic species like grey reef sharks and eagle rays.

Getting there & logistics

Access to The Bottleshop, located in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, typically begins with international flights to Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. From there, domestic flights via Air Niugini connect to Kavieng Airport. Many divers stay at Lissenung Island Resort, which provides boat transfers to dive sites in the Kavieng area, including The Bottleshop. Dive trips in this region often involve day boat excursions from shore-based resorts, combining macro dives with reef and wreck explorations. There are no specific park fees mentioned for this site, but general tourism or dive operator fees apply. Travelers should account for potential domestic flight delays and consider building an extra day into their itinerary. Kavieng diving can be combined with other PNG regions through liveaboard options, but The Bottleshop is generally accessed via a day boat from Kavieng.

Safety & environment

For diving in Kavieng, including The Bottleshop, a comprehensive dive accident insurance policy is highly recommended due to the remote nature of the location. While no specific recompression chamber for Kavieng is mentioned, the nearest major medical facilities and recompression chambers would likely be in larger regional hubs, requiring significant evacuation time. Evacuation in a medical emergency typically involves air transport, which can be costly and logistically complex. Divers should maintain strict adherence to dive plans, monitor bottom times and gas consumption, and practice excellent buoyancy control, especially at muck sites like The Bottleshop, to avoid disturbing the bottom and impairing visibility. Always dive with a reputable operator and ensure all equipment is in good working order. Given the potential for variable visibility, staying close to your buddy is crucial.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

The Bottleshop FAQ

Liveaboards diving The Bottleshop

These liveaboards may visit The Bottleshop 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