Oceania

Location: Papua New Guinea

Rating: 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Oceania

About Oceania

Embark on a luxurious dive adventure through the vibrant waters of Papua New Guinea aboard the Oceania catamaran, where pristine reefs and abundant marine life await.

Papua New Guinea, nestled within the heart of the Coral Triangle, stands as a beacon of marine biodiversity, boasting some of the planet's most pristine and vibrant reef ecosystems. This remote paradise offers an unparalleled underwater experience, characterized by an astonishing variety of fish, a diverse array of shark species including silky and hammerheads, and frequent encounters with playful dolphins. Occasional sightings of majestic orcas, whale sharks, and pilot whales further enrich the diving landscape. Exploring this extraordinary region, the Oceania catamaran provides a luxurious and intimate base for discovering its underwater wonders, with itineraries expertly tailored to seasonal changes and weather patterns to ensure optimal diving conditions. The diving experience aboard Oceania is meticulously designed for both comfort and efficiency. With a spacious dive deck located at the stern, divers benefit from individual storage areas for their gear, a dedicated camera table for underwater photographers, and convenient onboard showers and bathrooms. Getting to and from the dive sites is effortless thanks to the accompanying dive tenders, ensuring a smooth transition into the water. The vessel offers Nitrox for extended bottom times, catering to experienced divers eager to maximize their exploration. Guided dives are led by a dedicated local and international crew, ensuring safety and an insightful journey through Papua New Guinea's captivating underwater world. Life on board the Oceania is characterized by comfort and thoughtful amenities. The catamaran accommodates up to 16 guests across 8 well-appointed, air-conditioned staterooms, each featuring a private en-suite bathroom, fresh towels daily, ample storage, and a hairdryer. Large windows offer breathtaking ocean views from every cabin. Social spaces are plentiful, including an inviting indoor salon and dining room on the main deck, both air-conditioned for guest comfort. Outdoors, a lounge and BBQ area provide a relaxed setting for evening gatherings, while the upper deck offers ample space for sunbathing and al-fresco dining, perfect for unwinding after a day of diving. Culinary delights are a highlight of the Oceania experience, with a full-board meal plan that includes all meals, snacks throughout the day, and complimentary wine with dinner. The menu features a blend of Western and local dishes, served buffet-style, ensuring a diverse and satisfying dining experience. The crew is attentive to guest needs, offering vegetarian and vegan options upon request, and striving to accommodate other dietary requirements such as religious beliefs or food allergies. The galley staff are committed to providing delicious and nourishing meals, though the remote location can sometimes present challenges in sourcing a wide variety of fresh produce. Built in 2001 and renovated in 2018, the Oceania is a 27-meter catamaran with a beam of 9 meters, providing a stable and spacious platform for its 16 guests. Powered by Caterpillar 3306 Turbo Diesels, she cruises comfortably at 13 knots, with a top speed of 13 knots. The vessel is well-equipped with 1600 liters of water capacity and 13000 liters of fuel capacity, complemented by a freshwater maker. Her design, with 8 cabins and 9 bathrooms, ensures privacy and comfort for all onboard. Safety is paramount, with a comprehensive suite of navigation and safety equipment. Embarkation for Oceania trips typically occurs from locations accessible to Walindi Resort, which serves as her base. Guests should plan their travel to accommodate transfers to the departure point. The best season for diving in Papua New Guinea varies by region, but Oceania's itineraries are designed to follow optimal conditions, ensuring incredible encounters year-round. This vessel is ideally suited for adventurous divers seeking a blend of luxury, comfort, and exceptional diving in one of the world's most biodiverse marine environments.

Vessel Specifications

Cabins

Itineraries

Reef, River, Wreck Itinerary OC13

Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days

Day 1: Embarkation from 4:00pm, Vessel departs from Walindi Plantation Resort, Kimbe at approx 6:00pm Days 2-12: 4 dives per day, typically scheduled as follows: - Light Breakfast, briefing, Dive 1 - Full Breakfast, relax/interval, briefing, Dive 2 - Morning Tea, relax/interval, Lunch, briefing, Dive 3 - Afternoon snack, relax/interval, briefing, Dive 4 (may be a dusk dive) - Dinner Day 13: 2 morning dives only, lunch, vessel steams to port Day 14: Disembarkation up until 9:00am at Alotau (to

West New Britain Itinerary (OC07)

Duration: 8D/7N

Embarkation: Kimbe Bay

Embark on a diving journey around Papua New Guinea's New Britain, a remote island offering 22 exhilarating dives. Your route navigates the northern coast, unveiling psychedelic reefs, exhilarating drift dives along sheer walls, and majestic seamounts plunging into the profound ocean depths. Venture south, where the rainforest fringe meets tranquil lagoons teeming with remarkable macro life, protected by vibrant coral barriers. You'll encounter an astonishing array of marine creatures, from uniqu

Kimbe Bay & Witu Islands and beyond Itinerary OC9

Duration: 10D/9N

Embarkation: Kimbe Bay

Explore the nutrient-rich waters of Papua New Guinea, where Kimbe Bay's pristine reefs offer dramatic coral formations and abundant macro life. This itinerary takes you beyond the familiar, venturing to the remote Witu Islands for encounters with pelagic schools and diverse reef ecosystems. Expect vibrant soft coral gardens, bustling fish life, and the potential for larger marine animals in the open water. This journey, beginning and ending in Kimbe Bay, focuses on experiencing the unique biodiv

East and West New Britain Itinerary OC8

Duration: 9D/8N

Embarkation: Rabaul

Explore the volcanic fringing reefs and rich biodiversity of Papua New Guinea's East and West New Britain provinces. This itinerary traverses from Rabaul to Kimbe Bay, offering a comprehensive look at the region's diverse underwater landscapes. Expect vibrant coral gardens, schools of reef fish, and encounters with larger pelagics in nutrient-rich channels. The dramatic volcanic topography extends beneath the surface, creating unique dive sites often characterized by steep walls and bommies. Thi

Fathers Reefs & Kimbe Bay Itinerary OC9

Duration: 10D/9N

Embarkation: Kimbe Bay

Explore the diverse underwater landscapes of Papua New Guinea's Bismarck Sea on this journey through Fathers Reefs and Kimbe Bay. This itinerary focuses on vibrant coral gardens, impressive reef formations, and a rich variety of smaller marine life, including numerous nudibranchs and colorful reef fish. Encounters with pelagic species like barracuda, jacks, and various shark species are also common, especially around the outer reefs. The calm, warm waters of Kimbe Bay provide excellent visibilit

Reef, River, Wreck Itinerary OC13

Duration: 14D/13N

Embarkation: Kimbe Bay

Your Papua New Guinea diving adventure begins with late afternoon embarkation from Walindi Plantation Resort, Kimbe, as the vessel sets sail into the evening. Each day promises a rich exploration of the underwater world, with a fantastic total of 44 dives throughout the journey. Typically, you'll experience four dives daily, immersing yourself in the vibrant marine ecosystems. Mornings often feature two distinct dives before a midday break, after which the vessel navigates to its next captivatin

New Ireland Itinerary OC10

Duration: 11D/10N

Embarkation: Rabaul

Explore the vibrant, current-swept reefs and remarkable historical sites of Papua New Guinea's New Ireland province. This itinerary navigates the Bismarck Sea, offering drift dives along richly diverse walls teeming with schooling fish and macro life. Expect encounters with pelagic species drawn to the channels, alongside scattered WWII wrecks providing unique dive opportunities. The journey begins in Rabaul and concludes in Kavieng, showcasing the dramatic underwater landscapes of this remote r

Exploring Papua New Guinea Specialised Itinerary OC13

Duration: 14D/13N

Embarkation: Kimbe Bay

Starting from Walindi Plantation Resort, your journey begins with an overnight voyage to Witu Islands, specifically Garove Island, followed by another lengthy steam across 110 nautical miles to the Lab Lab/Siassi Islands, encompassing Tuam and Umboi. After a peaceful night, the expedition continues eastward to the Tami Islands for a midday meal before embarking on an extensive 20-22 hour cruise to the stunning Tufi region. You will arrive for lunch, spend a full day exploring Tufi, and then set

Milne Bay to Rabaul Itinerary OC10

Duration: 11D/10N

Embarkation: Alotau

This itinerary navigates the rich waters of Papua New Guinea, journeying from Milne Bay to Rabaul. Divers can anticipate encountering a diverse range of marine life, from vibrant reef fish and macro subjects to larger pelagics, amidst healthy coral gardens and fascinating wreck sites. The route explores both established and more remote dive areas, offering a varied experience across different underwater topographies. Over eight full days, the schedule allows for extensive exploration of these bi

New Ireland East Coast Exploratory Itinerary OC13

Duration: 14D/13N

Embarkation: Rabaul

The East Coast of New Ireland offers a journey into a less-explored region of Papua New Guinea, characterized by a mix of pristine coral reefs, swift currents, and intriguing historical sites. Divers can expect vibrant hard and soft coral gardens, schools of pelagic fish, and the occasional manta ray or shark. This exploratory itinerary, traversing from Rabaul to Kavieng, focuses on uncovering diverse underwater landscapes, from dynamic outer reefs to calm, sheltered lagoons. Expect a combinatio