Dive Site: Tufi Fjords

About Tufi Fjords

Tufi Fjords, nestled on Cape Nelson along Papua New Guinea's northeast coast, offers a unique diving experience in a stunning, tropical fjord-like landscape. These "fjords" are actually ancient volcanic inlets, carved out by lava flows, creating deep channels lined with lush rainforest that plunges to the water's edge. This dramatic topography extends underwater, with sheer walls and sheltered bays. Diving here features a combination of rarely visited offshore reefs, thriving macro life in the fjords, and historical artifacts. The offshore reefs, some rising from depths of 200m or more, boast pristine hard corals, vibrant sponge gardens, and an abundance of pelagic activity, including schooling snapper and various shark species. Inside the fjords, divers discover unique assemblages of fresh and saltwater marine life, with sites like Hubert's Point displaying colorful sponge gardens at 20m. The Tufi jetty area itself is a renowned muck diving spot, attracting critter enthusiasts with its rich assortment of flotsam and jetsam. While offshore sites can encounter strong currents, many dives within the fjords offer calmer conditions. Visibility can vary, particularly in areas influenced by sediment, but the remote nature ensures largely untouched sites. The area also holds historical significance, with WWII relics like submerged PT boats and bomber wrecks found in deeper waters, adding another layer to the diverse underwater exploration. Tufi offers an array of diving for various interests.

Dive site facts: Tufi Fjords

Depth

7–45 m

Current

Mild to strong

Visibility

25–40 m

Water temperature

26–31ºC

Entry

Boat / Shore

Level

Open Water Diver to Advanced Open Water Diver

Dive type

Reef, Macro, Wreck, Wall

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

Coordinates

-9.075, 149.33

Conditions & Currents

The offshore reefs around Tufi are influenced by strong equatorial currents, which can bring abundant plankton and attract large schools of pelagic fish, including hammerheads and reef sharks. Divers may need to utilize techniques such as 'hanging on' to protruding rocks or mooring lines to observe the action on these sites. Inside the fjords, conditions are notably calmer with minimal current movement, which fosters spectacular coral growth and provides excellent conditions for macro photography and critter spotting. Visibility generally exceeds 30 meters on the outer reefs, while inside the fjords, calm, protected waters also offer clear conditions, though river runoff can affect clarity from December to March.

Marine life & sighting chances

Grey reef shark

occasional

Scalloped hammerhead shark

October-November · occasional

White-tip reef shark

occasional

Black-tip reef shark

occasional

Mandarin fish

common

Ornate ghost pipefish

common

Goby

common

Nudibranch

common

Pygmy seahorse

occasional

Shrimp

common

Reef manta ray

occasional

Eagle ray

occasional

Tuna

common

Turtle

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

A typical dive at Mulloway, one of Tufi's premier sites, begins with a boat entry near the far point of the reef. Divers descend to approximately 7 meters where the vertical wall begins, plunging beyond 40 meters. The dive team typically swims towards the strong currents that bring plankton, attracting abundant pelagic life. Divers can position themselves by holding onto a protruding rock or a submerged mooring rope to observe schools of hammerheads, reef sharks, and other pelagics in action. The dive progresses along the wall, exploring the colorful lichens, hard, and soft corals, with numerous nudibranchs spotted. For decompression dives, such as the PT Boat wrecks at Tufi Wharf, a maximum depth of 45 meters is reached. Decompression stops are mandatory, and a surface interval of four hours is required before subsequent dives. Safety stops are conducted at 5 meters for at least 3 minutes, typically near the end of the dive, before a boat pick-up.

Underwater photography

Tufi offers diverse photographic opportunities, requiring both macro and wide-angle lenses. For the offshore reefs and pelagic encounters, a wide-angle setup is ideal to capture schooling fish, sharks, and vast coral formations, often with visibility exceeding 30 meters. In contrast, the sheltered fjords and the Tufi Jetty are a macro photographer's dream. Here, a macro lens with appropriate strobes will reveal pygmy seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and various gobies and shrimps. Buoyancy control is paramount, especially when navigating delicate coral environments or hovering over the silty bottom near the jetty to avoid disturbing subjects or stirring up sediment. When photographing critter life in the fjords, patience and a keen eye are essential to discover the numerous hidden gems.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Lama Shoal

  Lama Shoal, also known by the evocative name Crack-A-Fat Reef, stands out as a premier dive site within the Witu Islands of Papua New…

• Observation Point

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

• Bev's Reef

  Bev's Reef is a vibrant reef system located near Tufi on the northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, situated amidst a region…

• 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…

• Dinah's Beach

  Dinah's Beach, or Lauadi, in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, holds global recognition as the original muck diving site.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Tufi is primarily by air, involving a flight from Port Moresby's Jackson Field over the Owen Stanley Range. The journey is made by small plane, landing on a gravel airstrip conveniently located near Tufi Resort. Flights from Port Moresby to Tufi are not daily, typically operating on specific days such as Fridays, necessitating an overnight stay in Port Moresby upon international arrival. Tufi Dive Resort is the main accommodation, offering packages that often include full board and diving. Trips to Tufi can be combined with other PNG destinations like Walindi or Kimbe Bay, sometimes extending to 20-day itineraries. Park fees and local permits are usually managed by the dive resort as part of your package.

Safety & environment

The nearest recompression chamber is located in Port Moresby, emphasizing the critical importance of dive insurance that covers medical evacuation. Given Tufi's remote location and the absence of roads, evacuation in an emergency would involve air transport, which can be complex and costly without proper coverage. Divers should maintain conservative dive profiles, especially when exploring deeper wreck sites like the PT boats, where decompression diving is involved. A mandatory surface interval of four hours is required between such dives. It is crucial to dive within your training limits and adhere to your dive guide's instructions, particularly regarding currents on offshore reefs. Always ensure your gear is well-maintained and that you are physically fit for diving in tropical conditions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Tufi Fjords FAQ

Liveaboards diving Tufi Fjords

These liveaboards may visit Tufi Fjords 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