News
Beautiful Rock – an amazing new dive site in Mommon, Indonesia
As group leaders specializing in Indonesia and the Bird’s Head Seascape, Maurine and I are always looking for new itineraries and ways to improve our standard trip routes. For a number of years we have led an itinerary that starts in Sorong (Raja Ampat) and ends, or round-trips, in Kaimana (Triton Bay). This journey, however, involves a long, 210 mile, passage between the southern part of Raja (SE Misool) and Triton. Divers, myself included, never want to spend time motoring when they could be diving, so a stop in the Pisang Islands and another near Mommon (halfway between Pisang and Triton) is usually the itinerary we choose. There is an outstanding site in Pisang, plus a couple of others that are good, so this stopover is usually a hit for the long transit day. But until my most recent trip aboard the MV Pindito, the Mommon stopover was, well…other than a visit to the picturesque waterfall…a diving bust!
My colleagues at Conservation International suggested that I check out the small islands outside the bay, just west of Mommon peninsula. There are a few islets in the area, so we thought we’d give at least one of them a try, offering an exploratory dive instead of a visit to the waterfall. I have done a LOT of exploratory diving (we specialize in developing new itineraries), but frankly most exploratory dives aren’t very productive, and we try to avoid doing many when we have guests onboard. Now and then, however, we get lucky and uncover a real jewel.
Late last October our group dropped in on Mommon’s outer islands. We chose the southwest corner (ocean side) of the third islet in the four-islet chain. The reef was average at best, comprised mostly of stormed-dwarfed, low profile hard corals. I knew this was no prize, but as we swam east, around the southern tip of the islet and headed back north along the east side into the channel between the islet and Mommon peninsula (the mainland), we began to see a few large, soft-coral covered bommies. The reef was definitely more interesting here. As we continued north along the east or channel side of the islet, we encountered a giant grouper, then spotted an even giant-er one. The site was hot and becoming even hotter as we swam by a series really big soft coral-covered boulders. Draped with glassfish and sweepers, these boulders were nothing short of amazing.
Besides this vibrant reef scene, we also spotted plenty of small stuff to keep the critter fans happy. A reef octopus sitting on a hard coral with a pair of robust ghost pipefish at its base was a delight, as were several nudibranch species. Zillions of skeleton shrimp colonized a single sea fan, and, while the fan’s polyps were retracted, from a distance the shrimp appeared to be extended polyps in feeding mode.
Everyone agreed there was no need for further exploration that day. We, happily, decided to dive the same site again before motoring to Triton Bay. This area begs for more exploration, but for now Mommon has at least one “must stop” dive! The Pindito staff called it simply Batu Cantik (Beautiful Rock)!
GPS: S 03 56.492 E 132 48.229
Burt Jones and his wife Maurine Shimlock have dived extensively in Indonesia and throughout the Bird’s Head. To view more of their work visit their website, Secret Sea Visions.
MV FeBrina Escorted Photography Trip
Dates: 5-15 September 2025
Itinerary: 10-night trip to Kimbe Bay, the Witu Islands, and Fathers Reefs. This is widely considered the best diving itinerary in Papua New Guinea.
Capacity: Only 10 spots available.
Cost: $4990 USD per person sharing.
- Two small single occupancy cabins available for $4990.
- Two large single occupancy cabins available for $5990.
Why Choose This Trip?
This trip offers what is likely to be some of the best reef diving you’ll ever experience. The itinerary has been chosen for its extraordinary variety, abundance of marine life, and the fact that you’ll encounter very few (if any) other divers. With 75% of the world’s hard coral species and thousands of documented fish and invertebrate species, including some yet to be described, this area is truly special. Pelagic fish are abundant, and highlights include species like horse-eye jacks, pickhandle barracuda, and mega-rarities like Coleman’s pygmy seahorse. The corals remain in pristine condition, and the diversity of marine life is unparalleled.
Photography Coaching
This trip includes photography coaching by Christopher Bartlett, founder of Best of PNG and a renowned underwater photographer. Christopher has had over 100 articles published and a dozen dive magazine cover shots to his name. He will cover everything from basic to advanced lighting techniques for macro and wide-angle photography, using clear examples to help you enhance your skills. From setting up gear to processing images in Lightroom, Christopher’s coaching will cater to all skill levels.
The Diving Itinerary
This signature itinerary will take you to the spectacular reefs of Kimbe Bay, the volcanic Witu Islands, and the offshore Fathers Reefs.
- Kimbe Bay: Known for its stunning coral formations, vibrant sea mounts, coral walls, and lush coral gardens. The area boasts more than 40 reef dive sites, including a beautifully preserved WWII Mitsubishi Zero fighter plane.
- Witu Islands: This volcanic island group offers diverse diving experiences, from sea mounts like Lama Shoals to coral arches and exciting night dives in black sand bays. You’ll also interact with local villagers trading fresh fruit from canoes, with a planned village visit during the trip.
- Fathers Reefs: These offshore, volcanic reefs feature dramatic underwater topography, including arches and swim-throughs. The pelagic activity here is remarkable, with sightings of sharks, rays, barracudas, jacks, and turtles. A baited dive for Silvertip sharks is included.
The experienced dive guides of MV FeBrina know the sites extremely well and are skilled at spotting marine life. You can provide a wishlist of critters, and they will work hard to find them.
Getting There
The trip starts with a one-hour domestic flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport in West New Britain. The flight over mountain ranges and diverse landscapes offers a stunning preview of the adventure ahead. Regaldive will book the domestic flights for you, with an estimated cost of $360 USD for a return ticket.
As described by Professor J.E.N. Veron, former Chief Scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science:
“The coral reefs of Kimbe Bay take me back forty years, to a time when corals grew in lush profusion, untroubled by the problems that beset them today… I am hard pressed to think of anywhere on earth that has this combination of vibrant health, diversity, and beauty.”
Inclusions
- 10 nights of ensuite accommodation on MV FeBrina
- All meals, snacks, unlimited tea and coffee
- Final night dinner at Walindi Plantation Resort
- 8.5 days of diving (4-5 dives per day)
- Filled tanks, weight belt, and weights
- Return transfers to and from Hoskins Airport/Walindi
- Light daily laundry service
Exclusions
- Flights
- Bar expenses and soft drinks
- Nitrox
- Dive equipment rental
- Meals at Walindi prior to or after the liveaboard
- Souvenirs, personal items, and gratuities
- 10% GST on purchases in Papua New Guinea
Additional Costs
- Environmental and Safety Fees: $90 per person, payable in advance.
- Nitrox: $270 for all dives or $10 per fill.
- Equipment Hire: Available with prior arrangement.
- Alcohol/Bar: Local beers, soft drinks, and wine available at varying costs. It is recommended to bring your preferred spirits duty-free.
Payment
Payments can be made via credit card (MasterCard/Visa/Amex) or cash in AUD, USD, PGK, or Euros. Prices for bar items and additional purchases are subject to change.
Extensions
Regaldive offers pre- or post-liveaboard extensions, including trips around PNG. From 15 to 22 September 2025, Christopher Bartlett will lead a Highlands Tribes Tour, featuring bird-watching, village visits, private Sing-Sings, and the Goroka Highlands Cultural Festival. The full tour costs $3240 USD. Alternatively, a four-night option for the Goroka festival from 17-21 September starts at $1260 USD. Additional extension options include extra diving at Walindi Resort, volcano treks, WWII plane wreck tours, or diving near Port Moresby. Post-festival, Christopher will also lead a five-night Sepik River tour, exploring ancient customs and Spirit Houses deep in the jungle.
For more information or to book, contact Indigo Safaris:
Email: safariexperts@indigosafaris.com
UK: +44 771 334 27 29
USA: +1 718 312 8777
France: +33 668 74 97 05
Skype: christopherbartlett
Already available in Black, Green, Red and Blue, the D710 Dive Light from Orcatorch is now available in Pink too.
Whether you’re a recreational or a professional diver, you’ll find the OrcaTorch D710 dive light useful in your underwater activities.
With max 3,000 lumens, the D710 is one of the strongest torches in its class. You also have plenty of brightness settings to choose from if you prefer less power.
It runs on one OrcaTorch 21700 5000mAh rechargeable battery with a Type-C charging port, easier for you to charge it anywhere. Now it offers five exterior colour options: Black, Green, Red, Blue, and Pink, to satisfy your diverse needs.
Featuring:
* Uses Luminous LED, max 3000 lumens
* Uses 1 * 21700 Li-ion battery
* 6° beam angle
* Offers four exterior colour options: Black, Red, Green and Blue
* Easy operation with side titanium alloy push-button switch
* Safe lock function, prevents mis-operation
* Intelligent Over-Heat protection
* Battery indicator
* Water pressure resistant construction, depth rated to 150 meters
* Reverse polarity protection, to protect from improper battery installation
* Over-discharge protection function
* Constructed from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminum
* Mil-Spec Type III hard anodized finish for durability and corrosion resistance
* Two sides coated toughened glass with high water pressure resistance under deep water
Sea & Sea is the home of OrcaTorch and other leading diving brands in the UK.
-
Blogs2 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
Gear Reviews3 months agoGear Review: Scubapro Luna 2 AI Dive Computer
-
Blogs3 months agoMamma Mia! Diving Skopelos (Part 1)
-
Blogs3 months agoAlonissos: The complete diving destination (Part 1)
-
News2 months agoDived Up release NEW Second Edition of Diving Gozo & Comino by Richard Salter
-
Blogs3 months agoMamma Mia! Diving Skopelos (Part 2)
-
News2 months agoTreasures, Shipwrecks and the Dawn of Red Sea Diving by Howard Rosenstein available now
-
Blogs1 month agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!