MV FeBrina operates out of Walindi Plantation Resort, located in Kimbe Bay.  Most trips depart and return to Walindi, although some trips will depart and arrive from Rabaul/Kokopo and Kavieng depending on the itinerary.

Our trips operate in different areas of the Bismarck Sea around New Britain and New Ireland, depending on the time of year and prevailing weather conditions. We generally take a well-earned break late December through to February. See our ‘Schedules’ page for more information.

More about our diving year can be found here.

Dive Experience: Divers should have minimum 30 logged dives and be Advanced Open Water certified or higher. This reflects the remote location of our itineraries.

Courses: We have a dive instructor and several DMs on the vessel. However, please discuss any proposed courses with our reservations crew prior to booking.

There are limited snorkelling opportunities for non-divers, so we recommend discussing options with the reservations team for children and non-diving partners prior to booking.

The crew are all English-speaking, and dive briefings are only given in English. Divers must have a good grasp of English to understand our vessel and dive safety briefings. Translation apps/ programmes are not accepted in lieu of English language skills.

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate wheelchair accessibility. All cabins are accessed via ladder-like steps and diving occurs from a water level platform accessible by steps.

Our friendly crew are always available to assist make diver’s experiences as comfortable and safe as possible. They are happy to assist divers who wish to get into and out of their dive gear in the water, rather than carry dive gear on the steps to the dive platform.

It is each diver’s responsibility to ensure that they are medically fit to dive before embarking on our trips.

Anti-malarial medication is recommended. Malaria is prevalent in New Guinea but easily prevented. The best preventative measures are to ensure you cover up during the early morning and late afternoon/early evening hours with loose, lightweight cotton clothing, and use a personal mosquito repellent.  Note that Larium is not recommended as an anti-malarial for divers.

Please bring your usual medications, anti-malarial medication and sea sickness medication.

Please see your medical practitioner prior to arrival in PNG regarding anti-malarial medication and relevant immunisations.

All direct booking are made through our friendly reservations team. Please email them for more details about your preferred trip and to arrange payment. Please note, we do not make or manage any airline travel bookings.

Alternatively contact your favourite dive travel agency to book a package that includes flights and dive trip, including other PNG experiences and travel.

We offer a range of private charters, a popular option with dive clubs and groups. Please contact our reservations team to discuss the requirements of your group and pricing arrangements.

To assist us with flight arrivals and departures, please provide your full flight details including the 6 letter flight reference code as soon as your flights are booked.

International and Domestic flights, and visa fees

Dive Evacuation Insurance (available onboard if required),

Comprehensive travel insurance

Environmental and Safety Fee: 9 USD per night, to be paid in advance

Conservation Fee: 20 USD per trip, to be paid in advance

Nitrox, per trip or per tank fill as requested

Equipment hire if required, to be arranged prior to travel.

Alcohol and soft drinks: Wine, beer and spirits are available for purchase on board. Wine is available by the glass or bottle, along with a range of local beers and a limited selection of spirits. Due to the limited availability of imported beverages in PNG our selection of wines and spirits is dependent on local supply and may vary between trips. Guests are welcome to bring their own duty-free alcohol. There is no corkage charge.

Crew gratuities

Personal purchases and accommodation before and after the charter.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Note all deposits are non-refundable. Please note our cancellation policy when making your reservation.

Individual Bookings

• 15% will be charged if cancelled after the reservation is secured with a payment

• 100% will be charged if cancelled within 90 days prior to the embarkation date

• Substitution of passengers is permitted.

• Transfer of deposit to alternate dates is permitted provided we are advised in writing more than 180 days prior to departure date.

Full Boat Charters and Groups

• 15% will be charged if cancelled after the reservation is secured with a payment

• 30% will be charged if cancelled between 180 days and 91 days prior to the embarkation date

• 100% will be charged if cancelled within 90 days prior to the embarkation date

Please ask reservations for a full copy of booking conditions for full boat charters and groups prior to making deposit payment.

Passport:

Passports need at least 6 months validity from the planned date of entry to PNG. Ensure there is at least one blank page in the passport.

Visa:

All nationalities are required to obtain a tourist visa before visiting PNG. ‘Visa On Arrival’ is NOT available. 

The PNG tourist visa is only valid for six months from the Visa Grant date, so apply for a visa no earlier than six months or later than one month prior to the intended PNG arrival date. Our reservations team will send a travel confirmation letter to support the visa application.

Online applications can only be made through the following website: https://ica.gov.pg/visa/visit/visitor 

We strongly advise all visitors to PNG to check current visa requirements with their local foreign mission in advance of arrival, as PNG immigration rulings are subject to change without notice.

PNG Digital Arrival Card

The PNG Digital Arrival Card (PNGDAC) is compulsory for all travellers entering Papua New Guinea, and can be completed online up to 3 days before you arrive. It is free of charge. 

Complete the form here: https://ica.gov.pg/dac/png-digital-arrival-card.  Present the email confirmation with your passport to an officer on arrival

Green Fee Collection

The PNG Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) advise all travellers that a Green Fee of K50 per person will be collected from all foreign passport holders upon departure at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. This initiative is part of the PNG government’s commitment to climate action with its focus on sustainable tourism and marine and biodiversity conservation. Some exemptions apply. Card or cash payments accepted. For more information, email enquiries.greenfees@ccda.gov.pg

Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby is the major international airport for Papua New Guinea, with most international air travellers entering the country via this airport. 

From Port Moresby, commercial domestic flights (Air Niugini or PNG Air) connect to the township of trip departure:

o    Kimbe/Walindi is accessed by Hoskins Airport

o    Rabaul/Kokopo is accessed by Tokua Airport

o    Kavieng/New Hanover are accessed by Kavieng Airport

For Domestic flight connections luggage must be collected on arrival at the International Terminal in Port Moresby. After clearing Immigration, walk to the domestic terminal to re-check luggage for the domestic flight. Note that luggage will NOT be checked through automatically.

Baggage allowances:

Air Niugini has a cooperative understanding with the PNG Divers Association and most flights allow 30kg of checked baggage. Please check this when booking your flights.

Excess luggage can be stored at all ports of departure, please discuss with reservations at time of booking.

Flight Cancellation/ Delay: There are occasions when domestic flights will be delayed or cancelled until the next day. Airline staff will organize a hotel room, shuttle transfers and provide a new departure time the next day. Guests should liaise with our Reservations team in this situation to update arrangements for airport transfers.

The currency of Papua New Guinea is the Kina. This should be available for exchange at currency counters within most international airports before your travel.

Alternatively there is a convenient ATM and a currency exchange desk at the Port Moresby International airport arrivals lounge.

We accept AUD, USD, Euro and Kina/cash as well as major credit cards (MasterCard/ Visa).

If you’re not travelling outside of FeBrina and your local PNG accommodation providers, you will not need to carry much Kina/cash.

GST:

All tourism related services prepaid from outside Papua New Guinea are currently exempt from GST, and all published rates do not include GST. This is a PNG government incentive and subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to apply any changes to this policy as they occur.

All purchases/services paid for within Papua New Guinea are subject to an additional 10% GST charge.

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseen trip cancellation, flight cancellation/delays, accidents, medical evacuation and loss of luggage.

Dive Evacuation Insurance is COMPULSORY because of the remote location of all our dive sites. PNG does not have an emergency rescue organisation so if medical evacuation is required, this is arranged with private air transport companies at significant expense to the individual.  The nearest recompression chamber is located in Port Moresby

Refunds are not offered for weather or mechanical issues that may cause us to cancel or change an itinerary or for lost time due to medical evacuations of other guests.

We highly recommend DAN insurance.  Please check with reservations staff before arrival if you have any coverage other than DAN. 

Dan Short Term Insurance is available on board for divers 75 years and under.

Satellite (starlink) Wi-Fi access is generally available in most areas and data packages can be purchased on board. Please check with reservations for up-to-date pricing. The service cannot always be guaranteed and if data connection is of a high importance we would recommend purchasing a data sim on arrival at the Port Moresby airport.

Phone service is not always available due to the remoteness of the areas we visit. Phone and data sims can be purchased at Port Moresby airport, however depending on the itinerary, access to phone service may be limited.

To respect the local traditions and customs women are asked to wear skirts or pants that cover the upper legs and shirts covering the shoulders while outside the resort or while on shore visits during a charter.

Clothing should be lightweight, comfortable sportswear, and bathing suits are a must. A light sweater or throw over is ideal for evening, especially during the months of June through to August. Dress aboard FeBrina and at Walindi is always casual. Remember that a light laundry service is offered daily, so no need to overpack.

What exposure suit is recommended? Generally 3mm wetsuits are adequate. Although some divers choose to wear long lycra protective wear when water temperatures average 28-30C.

Additional items to bring are

• sunscreen, shampoo, sunglasses and a hat or visor

• Personal non-perishable snacks and hot drinks beyond basic tea and coffee.

• Sandals or flip flops for shore transfers, and bare feet are recommended while onboard.

• personal electronic device chargers and power adaptors/ converters if needed.

When to arrive?

We generally recommend arriving one day prior to trip departure. This allows for possible flight delays or cancellations

Flights from Hoskins Airport (for Walindi Departures)

Staff from Walindi meet and assist guests at the airport with a shuttle bus, so look for a Walindi shirt and sign. Hoskins is approximately 50 minutes drive via Kimbe Town to Walindi Resort. **Tip … use the bathroom facilities at the airport prior to boarding the shuttle bus as there are no facilities along the way. Guests will be delivered to the Walindi Resort and directed to accommodation accordingly from there. Shuttle transfers between airport and resorts are complimentary.

Flights from airports other than Hoskins:

Airport shuttles are outsourced to local resorts or transport operators at departure points other than Walindi/Hoskins. Our reservations team will confirm any shuttle transfers prior to arrival.

Where to stay before or after the trip?

We recommend staying with one of our partners at the arrival/departure port. This allows for easy flight connections and a more relaxed start or finish to the trip. After checking out by 10am on the day of departure, any luggage can be stored at Reception until MV FeBrina is ready for boarding or your airport shuttle departs. Local resorts also offer a selection of local land-based experiences. Our partners are:

Kimbe: Walindi Plantation Resort (PNGDA partner)

Rabaul / Kokopo: Kokopo Beach Bungalows.

Kavieng: Lissenung Island Resort (PNGDA partner) and Nusa Island Retreat.

Please remember to pack your certification card, insurance details and log book (if you have one).

Divers travellingon FeBrina are required to bring originals of the signed standard release and waiver form and the guest information form to the boat. If these originals are not available, you will be required to sign a waiver on board prior to trip departure.

If required: please bring a medical clearance to dive.

Boarding generally occurs at 4pm on the day of departure. Guests and their luggage will be collected from the resort and taken to board FeBrina. Prior to boarding guests may make use of the resort’s central common areas for purchase of refreshments (at own expense) and freshening up.

If arriving at the vessel after 4pm you will be taken directly to the vessel for boarding. Once welcomed onboard, you will be given a boat safety briefing and allocated to your cabin. You will be shown where to set up your dive gear and camera equipment as required. Each diver will have a personal storage locker on the dive deck for storage of mask, fins, etc. Your dive gear will be set up for you in the tank rack.

Note: guests usually bring their own dive gear. If you don’t have a reliable personal dive computer or need to hire any other equipment, please make arrangements in advance. Only limited hire equipment is carried onboard.

• Oxygen, first aid kits, defibrillator

• Lifejackets and self-deploying liferafts.

• Dive crew are trained in first aid and diving accident management.

• Prior to departure there will be thorough briefings on boat safety and dive deck procedures. Each dive will be preceded by a site briefing. Dive times may change depending on weather and tide at the captain’s discretion.

• Most of our dive sites have moorings. MV FeBrina has one rigid tender for use when required,  such as setting up dive sites, night dives and drift dives.

Dive briefings are held 15 minutes prior to the dive time. The first dive of the trip will be a check-out dive to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable in the water.

MV FeBrina offers guests up to 5 dives per day depending on the itinerary, and 2 dives the last day. These are generally at approximately 6.30am, 9am, 11.30am, 3.30pm and 6.30pm. Dives times are up to 60 minutes. All offered dives are optional and at the guest’s discretion based on experience and personal safety considerations.

Every dive has several guides in the water, and guests are recommended to dive in buddy pairs. Solo diving is generally not permitted due to the remote nature of the dive sites.

Dive depth guidelines are based on the diver’s experience and industry standards. The maximum recommended depth for divers with appropriate experience is 40 metres (132ft).

Decompression diving can only be undertaken by suitably qualified technical divers to the maximum depth as stipulated by the certifying agency and by prior arrangement with the captain.

Consumption of alcohol is only permitted after your last dive of the day. You must have a minimum of 8 hours interval between your last alcoholic drink and your next dive.

The last dive on most trips is completed at approximately 10am the day prior to disembarkation. MV FeBrina will head back to port after the last dive. For outbound flights, we recommend maintaining a 24 hour interval after the last dive before flying. Guests are advised to finish diving earlier if needed based on onward flights.

The nearest hyperbaric / recompression chamber is located at Port Moresby airport. PNG does not have an emergency rescue organisation so if medical evacuation is required, this is arranged with private air transport companies resulting in significant expense to the individual. Dive Evacuation Insurance is mandatory for all trips on FeBrina.

The recompression chamber is funded and managed by PNGDA, more details here https://pngdive.net/decompression-chamber

The health and safety of all guests and crew is our highest priority.

If a guest becomes ill / injured during a trip, the Captain and crew will liaise with appropriate medical services to determine the most suitable course of action. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve managing the condition onboard or arranging for the guest to disembark for further medical assessment or treatment.

The Captain has overall responsibility for the safety of everyone onboard and will make any necessary changes to the vessel's course or itinerary to facilitate medical assistance or address other safety concerns.

Scheduled diving activities may be suspended while an emergency is being managed. Diving will resume once the situation has been safely resolved and the Captain considers it appropriate to do so.

Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the itinerary and loss of scheduled dives. However, where changes or cancellations are necessary due to a medical emergency or safety concerns, MV FeBrina cannot guarantee compensation or reimbursement for missed dives or itinerary changes.