A MESSAGE FROM SKIPPER ALAN RAABE ABOUT MV FEBRINA’S ITINERARIES & WEATHER PATTERNS

Life on the Water: How the Year Unfolds Aboard Febrina

Our FeBrina diving year usually starts in March. I kick things off with shorter trips heading out to the Witu Islands and Kimbe Bay. It’s a pleasant time to be on the water, with light north-westerly winds making for comfortable cruising and diving conditions.

April through to June is a particularly good stretch. We’re generally treated to light winds and favourable seas, and the ocean really settles down. This is when we start offering longer itineraries again.

By July and August, the south-easterly trade winds arrive. With that shift, I return to shorter itineraries, focusing on places like Father’s Reefs and Lolobau Island. Father’s is always a highlight—an underwater caldera that’s full of fish life. Even though it’s quite a way offshore, we’re well protected by Mount Ulawun—“The Father”—an active volcano rising about a mile high. I’ve always enjoyed our Walindi to Rabaul trips as well. They give us the chance to include Father’s and the Bainings along the way, adding variety and a sense of exploration to the journey.

From September through to December—our optimal months—we can travel further afield. These are the times I like to run itineraries that take in Walindi, the Witus, New Hanover, Dyaul Island, and on into Kavieng, diving some excellent channels along the way.

I always make room for a couple of exploratory trips each year. There’s still plenty out there to explore, and our guests get pretty excited about discovering new locations up here.

Most days, we fit in four day dives plus a night dive, with the first dive at 6:30am. We also do daily laundry on board, so you don’t need to bring much for your dive trip.

We serve wine with dinner but don’t carry spirits, so you’re welcome to bring your own duty-free alcohol.

Our trips on FeBrina are popular with dive clubs and groups, and we’re always happy to discuss charters or adjust itineraries where we can. I also really recommend taking a look at our partner liveaboard MV Oceania’s trips between Rabaul to Milne Bay (Alotau) in February and March, especially for those who enjoy macro photography.