With warm water, visibility that often exceeds thirty meters, and an amazing concentration of marine life, Madang is a large region of Papua New Guinea that encompasses many small offshore islands. With wrecks, reefs, oceanic pinnacles, and magnificent volcanic formations to explore, the area is truly a piece of paradise. Here are just five of Madang’s best dive sites. Visit, and see if you agree.
Planet Rock
Though Planet Rock reaches up from almost 2,000 feet below the surface to reach a depth of only 15 feet, this incredible volcanic seamount is swept by strong currents that wind their way through Astrolabe Bay and carry nutrients to all the life you’ll find here. These currents keep the coral growth looking brilliant and beautiful, and they also prevent inexperienced divers from visiting the site. If you want to dive here, you will need to have at least an open water certificate and several dives behind your belt.
Along with the schooling tuna, barracuda, and jacks that you will find here, you’ll also find yourself swimming with some very large sharks. Look for hammerheads, which are known to school in the area, as well as gray whaler sharks, tiger sharks, and reef sharks.
Last, but not least, if the current allows you to make a close inspection of the pinnacle, you will find an incredible assortment of juvenile invertebrates. These tiny creatures are brightly colored and offer the opportunity for some excellent macro shots.
Barrier Reef
If you have ever dreamed of discovering a new species for yourself, Madang’s barrier reef is one of the best places to do just that. The diversity of life to be found here is extensive, and many unique species remain uncataloged. The fertile currents that sweep through Astrolabe Bay feed this magnificent reef structure, which begins in shallow water, and extends all the way down into the abyss some 2000 feet below.
A premier destination for photographers, marine biologists, and divers from around the world, this is one of the earth’s greatest treasures, which make it a common research site for both the National Geographic Society and the Cousteau Society. Whether you hope to see small reef fish, tiny nudibranchs and other spectacular invertebrates, or if you want to see massive pelagics emerging from the deep, this is one of the best places in the world to do just that.
Magic Passage
Technically, Magic Passage is part of the great Madang Barrier Reef. It is approximately 120 feet wide, and 100 feet deep at the bottom. At each tide, a variety of life is pulled from one side of the reef to the other, as though being drawn through a massive funnel. Incredible schools of silvery jacks form a living wall around divers, while swirling clouds of rainbow fish and fluttering bannerfish add a punch of color to the experience.
It is common to encounter sharks, turtles, barracuda, and beautifully colored reef fish inside the channel, particularly when the current is moving. With brilliant sea fans, whip corals, and a rainbow of soft coral and sponges, it is easy to see how this site achieved its name. On a good day, you can see from one side of the passage to the other.
Hole in the Wall
Located inside an idyllic lagoon, Hole in the Wall is a spectacular coral arch that leads from the shallow enclosed area to the open ocean beyond. On the outer edge of the hole, the wall is magnificently covered in more of the same soft coral and beautiful pink stylaster corals that coat the archway, and the entire structure is teeming with invertebrates of all kinds.
Formed of volcanic rock, the entire area around the Hole in the Wall dive site is filled with small grottoes where fish hide in hopes of capturing a meal, or to save themselves from being eaten. One of the most interesting and most sought after species here is the Marbled Grouper, which is sometimes referred to as the Camouflage Grouper or “Curious Cod.” Hunted to the point of rarity, this incredible fish is fearless and friendly, and grows to be about 75 centimeters long.
Visibility inside the lagoon is excellent, and the view out into the blue from the Hole in the Wall is incomparably spectacular. Pelagic fish and sharks of every kind pass by, providing amazing opportunities for wide angle photos. Newer divers can stay inside the lagoon, and peek into the hole, while experts can head out to the wall for a better look at the underwater world, while hovering over the 2000 foot abyss below.
The Quarry
A strong current and some very large sharks reserve the quarry for expert divers only. This section of the north coast reef is located just a few meters from the shoreline, but drops sharply into the 2000 foot abyss below at a breathtakingly sheer angle, which is nearly vertical.
As you swim across the reef, you will see giant barrel shaped coral, some of which are almost a meter in diameter, as well as colonies of sunshine coral, which are often populated with groups of nudibranchs that feed on its polyps. Tiger cowries, golden cowries, wentletrap snails and spindle cowries, as well as olive shells, cones, and strombs crawl all over the walls and feed on the lush gorgonian and soft coral growth that acts as a magnificent backdrop for photos of these rare and wonderful univalves.
Out in the blue, schooling tuna, mackerel, barracuda, and other fish capture the sunlight that penetrates the crystal clear water, creating brilliant flashes of silver that compete with all the color on the reef behind you.
These are but a handful of the amazing dive sites Madang has to offer, and as the area is very popular, charters fill up quickly. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance of your holiday to enjoy these sites as well as the many shipwrecks and other underwater treasures the area holds. You’re certain to go home feeling refreshed – and hoping for an opportunity to return!