D I V E     S K I     S U R F

East New Britain is dominated by active volcanoes. The capital, Rabaul, lies shadowed by Matupit Volcano on the Gazelle Peninsula.

 Spread around the rim of Simpson Harbour, Rabaul was the scene of major WWII battles. Wrecks lay scattered among coral reefs as well as on the land presenting a reminder of bloody conflicts of the past.

 Following the recent devastating volcanic eruptions, Rabaul has re-opened.

For divers Rabaul offers a superb counterpoint to Walindi. Where Walindi has the reefs, Rabaul has the wrecks ranging in depth from five to fifty meters. 

Simpson Harbour boasts a multitude of ships and air craft wrecks from World War 11, when Rabaul served as the main Japanese Naval base in the South Pacific. Those wrecks accessible to scuba divers offer a unique experience enhanced by exhilarating reefs, walls and drop offs. 

Rabaul diving is all year round with the harbour never suffering any more than a surface chop. Visibility is often staggering, and currents non existent.

 Water temperature is 30 Celsius and varies very little even on the deeper wrecks.

 The better diving months are April - June and October - December. 

Some of the more popular dives sites include:

• Hakkai Maru 
• Mitsubishi bi plane 
• Submarine Base ,Watom Island 
• Midway reef