RABAUL DIVING
Rapopo Plantation Resort offers internationally-qualified scuba experts to guide you through the magical world of coral gardens.
They run day-trip diving, night diving, family-fun fishing and spearfishing trips to the remote, pristine reefs and wreck sites that are not just world-renowned, but rather in a league of their own. Forget about the hustle and bustle of boat traffic, damaged reefs, hundreds of people, tired old smelly catamarans and being treated like a number. The friendly and professional dive team ensure not just your diving is an exciting experience, but your entire experience is an unforgettable adventure that you`ll treasure forever. Two boat dives a day are offered, sometimes it is possible to do a third boat dive, otherwise the house reef and wreck is always possible in the afternoon.
Rabaul has a great mixture of diving whether its reef, wreck or muck diving it is all here. The waters of East New Britain, with its numerous wrecks and countless reefs, boast a diverse assortment of fascinating underwater wonders. Countless pristine reefs and historical WWII wrecks with excellent visibility and a large array of pelagic and critters; provide amazing underwater sightings and extraordinary photo opportunities.
While there are many WWII wrecks dotted around PNG, the Rabaul area undoubtedly has the most.
Situated on the eastern tip of New Britain, Rabaul is a large natural harbour that was the main naval base of the Japanese during the war. The area is also a very active volcanic region, sitting between 3 active volcanoes.
George's wreck
This wreck, named after George Tyers (the first person to dive it), started life as a Japanese marine cable layer and was later converted to a mine layer. The wreck still remains unidentified. The story goes that the skipper ran her aground after being skip bombed or torpedoed on the port side. The wreck rests bow up on a steep slope with its anchor firmly fastened in its anchor hole on the starboard side. The ship’s length is roughly 220ft and the wreck is estimated to be about 1,500-2,000 tons. She rests her bow in just 12 metres of water with the stern dropping right down to 60 metres. The wreck holds untouched coral formations and pristine sea life with cowries, feather stars, nudibranchs, scorpion fish, stonefish, pipefish, black corals, and the odd pelagic.
The Biplane
A Japanese Pete single-engined reconnaissance float plane close to George's Wreck and the Submarine base. The plane ran out of fuel and ditched near another reef. The crew swam to shore and were rescued but the plane sunk. It now rests at 27 metres of water and is a breathtaking site. The plane is completely intact. Only the rear gun is missing (stolen in recent years) and the main pontoon is twisted to the side. Otherwise, the plane looks as if it flying through the crystal clear water.
Tom, Dick & Harry
These are 3 reefs joined by a submerged 15 metre deep ridge. Each reef is unique – Harry has large plate corals and barrel sponges, and is frequented by large schools of trevally and rainbow runners. Dick, being the middle reef, features a coral and rock field amongst which a diverse range of cryptic critters can be found. A seamount adjacent to the final reef, Tom, is a great place to hover in wait of mackerel and eagle rays passing in the oncoming current.
The Lighthouse
On the southwest side of Ura Island is a small lighthouse, below which there are huge coral rock bommies standing at least 6-7 metres tall. There are resident double-headed Maori wrasse, coral trout and crayfish, as well as heaps of critters like nudibranchs. There are swim-throughs amongst the bommies and at the bottom there are giant barrel sponges, sea whips, lettuce leaf coral and schools of reef fish, all just in 16-20 metres of water.
Mitsubishi Zero
This was a much-feared Japanese fighter plane that now lies on the north coast near Kokopo, the new regional capital. The plane, which was one of the last ever made, is in excellent condition. On the plane’s left, you can see a distinct row of bullet holes from an attack and it is even possible to sit in the cockpit.
Reimer's Wall
This wall has overhangs, short swim-throughs, and canyons spread all the way around the open side of the reef. The drop-off plummets to 50 metres before easing away. Many small schooling fish travel the wall, rainbow runner's and blue fin trevally to name two, but the wall is also covered with smaller cryptic creatures.
Submarine Base
This sheer drop off (250 metres plus) located just metres from the shore line, was used in World War II for Japanese submarines to unload and load cargo with a quick escape plan - straight down! This natural sheer wall is the edge of a vast submerged caldera with many soft and small corals growing from the wall, barrel sponges and sea fans and whips decorating the wall. A must dive.
Pygmy point
As the name suggests, this is the closest site to Kabaira where a small cluster of Pygmmy seahorses can be found. This reef also has a deep wall dive which can only be described as a classic wall dive
Italy Maru
This 5,859 ton transporter was built in 1919 in the Kawasaki shipyard, Kobe. She was sunk by U.S. Navy aircraft, on the 27th of December 1942 and lies on her starboard side in 54 metres of water.
Yamato Maru
A 4,359 ton cargo carrier sunk on 18 April 1943. Truck bodies are still visible.
Hakkai Maru
A large 130m Japanese support ship, now considered to be one of the area’s very best wreck dives. Sunk on 17th January 1944 by an American skip-bomb, she now lies in 25-30m of water. The combination of her huge size, accessible depth & impressive marine life means this is a truly superb dive. At the stern, you can find an impressive cannon, which is now covered in coral growth. The ship’s clock, which stopped at 17:20, the time of impact, can be found in the local museum.
Yanyuri Maru
A similar sized ship that was sunk on the very same day as Hakkai Maru. While equally impressive, she lies in deeper waters and can only be reached by experienced divers.
Manko Maru
Sits on around 25m of water. This wreck was sunk by an allied attack and the evidence is plain to see in the wreck's twisted fuselage. Penetration is possible on this wreck and she is now home to a wealth of marine life.
They run day-trip diving, night diving, family-fun fishing and spearfishing trips to the remote, pristine reefs and wreck sites that are not just world-renowned, but rather in a league of their own. Forget about the hustle and bustle of boat traffic, damaged reefs, hundreds of people, tired old smelly catamarans and being treated like a number. The friendly and professional dive team ensure not just your diving is an exciting experience, but your entire experience is an unforgettable adventure that you`ll treasure forever. Two boat dives a day are offered, sometimes it is possible to do a third boat dive, otherwise the house reef and wreck is always possible in the afternoon.
Rabaul has a great mixture of diving whether its reef, wreck or muck diving it is all here. The waters of East New Britain, with its numerous wrecks and countless reefs, boast a diverse assortment of fascinating underwater wonders. Countless pristine reefs and historical WWII wrecks with excellent visibility and a large array of pelagic and critters; provide amazing underwater sightings and extraordinary photo opportunities.
While there are many WWII wrecks dotted around PNG, the Rabaul area undoubtedly has the most.
Situated on the eastern tip of New Britain, Rabaul is a large natural harbour that was the main naval base of the Japanese during the war. The area is also a very active volcanic region, sitting between 3 active volcanoes.
George's wreck
This wreck, named after George Tyers (the first person to dive it), started life as a Japanese marine cable layer and was later converted to a mine layer. The wreck still remains unidentified. The story goes that the skipper ran her aground after being skip bombed or torpedoed on the port side. The wreck rests bow up on a steep slope with its anchor firmly fastened in its anchor hole on the starboard side. The ship’s length is roughly 220ft and the wreck is estimated to be about 1,500-2,000 tons. She rests her bow in just 12 metres of water with the stern dropping right down to 60 metres. The wreck holds untouched coral formations and pristine sea life with cowries, feather stars, nudibranchs, scorpion fish, stonefish, pipefish, black corals, and the odd pelagic.
The Biplane
A Japanese Pete single-engined reconnaissance float plane close to George's Wreck and the Submarine base. The plane ran out of fuel and ditched near another reef. The crew swam to shore and were rescued but the plane sunk. It now rests at 27 metres of water and is a breathtaking site. The plane is completely intact. Only the rear gun is missing (stolen in recent years) and the main pontoon is twisted to the side. Otherwise, the plane looks as if it flying through the crystal clear water.
Tom, Dick & Harry
These are 3 reefs joined by a submerged 15 metre deep ridge. Each reef is unique – Harry has large plate corals and barrel sponges, and is frequented by large schools of trevally and rainbow runners. Dick, being the middle reef, features a coral and rock field amongst which a diverse range of cryptic critters can be found. A seamount adjacent to the final reef, Tom, is a great place to hover in wait of mackerel and eagle rays passing in the oncoming current.
The Lighthouse
On the southwest side of Ura Island is a small lighthouse, below which there are huge coral rock bommies standing at least 6-7 metres tall. There are resident double-headed Maori wrasse, coral trout and crayfish, as well as heaps of critters like nudibranchs. There are swim-throughs amongst the bommies and at the bottom there are giant barrel sponges, sea whips, lettuce leaf coral and schools of reef fish, all just in 16-20 metres of water.
Mitsubishi Zero
This was a much-feared Japanese fighter plane that now lies on the north coast near Kokopo, the new regional capital. The plane, which was one of the last ever made, is in excellent condition. On the plane’s left, you can see a distinct row of bullet holes from an attack and it is even possible to sit in the cockpit.
Reimer's Wall
This wall has overhangs, short swim-throughs, and canyons spread all the way around the open side of the reef. The drop-off plummets to 50 metres before easing away. Many small schooling fish travel the wall, rainbow runner's and blue fin trevally to name two, but the wall is also covered with smaller cryptic creatures.
Submarine Base
This sheer drop off (250 metres plus) located just metres from the shore line, was used in World War II for Japanese submarines to unload and load cargo with a quick escape plan - straight down! This natural sheer wall is the edge of a vast submerged caldera with many soft and small corals growing from the wall, barrel sponges and sea fans and whips decorating the wall. A must dive.
Pygmy point
As the name suggests, this is the closest site to Kabaira where a small cluster of Pygmmy seahorses can be found. This reef also has a deep wall dive which can only be described as a classic wall dive
Italy Maru
This 5,859 ton transporter was built in 1919 in the Kawasaki shipyard, Kobe. She was sunk by U.S. Navy aircraft, on the 27th of December 1942 and lies on her starboard side in 54 metres of water.
Yamato Maru
A 4,359 ton cargo carrier sunk on 18 April 1943. Truck bodies are still visible.
Hakkai Maru
A large 130m Japanese support ship, now considered to be one of the area’s very best wreck dives. Sunk on 17th January 1944 by an American skip-bomb, she now lies in 25-30m of water. The combination of her huge size, accessible depth & impressive marine life means this is a truly superb dive. At the stern, you can find an impressive cannon, which is now covered in coral growth. The ship’s clock, which stopped at 17:20, the time of impact, can be found in the local museum.
Yanyuri Maru
A similar sized ship that was sunk on the very same day as Hakkai Maru. While equally impressive, she lies in deeper waters and can only be reached by experienced divers.
Manko Maru
Sits on around 25m of water. This wreck was sunk by an allied attack and the evidence is plain to see in the wreck's twisted fuselage. Penetration is possible on this wreck and she is now home to a wealth of marine life.
