Grant Thomas visits Walindi Plantation Resort, where divers go to see some of the most  biodiverse coral reefs on the planet. The jungle walks, birdlife and World War 2 plane wrecks also lure intrepid travellers.

One of the dive sites visited by guests staying at Walindi Plantation Resort. Credit: Grant Thomas

Hidden among lush green plantations with a dramatic mountainous backdrop and fringing coral reefs, Walindi Plantation Resort is in the perfect location on New Britain Island for nature lovers and divers.

Imagine starting your day greeted by the glowing sun as it rises over the Bismarck Sea, casting rays of light onto the balcony of your bungalow and warming your skin

You then make your way down a winding path, flanked by floral gardens and ancient trees, until you reach an idyllic restaurant area set in dense jungle.

There are plenty of fresh and appetising choices for breakfast that can be served alfresco, meaning you can enjoy an ocean view with your morning coffee. 

Now that your mind is awake and hunger satisfied, a list of adventurous activities awaits. 

‘With over 30 dive sites in the bay, and most within 45 minutes, you can dive every day for weeks and never repeat a site.’

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PNG has some of the best scuba diving in the world and Kimbe Bay has some of the most biodiverse and rich coral reefs on the planet. There are also sea creatures, from mini to mega.

The owners of Walindi, Max and Cecilie Benjamin, along with their son Cheyne, have been pioneering new dive sites for more than 30 years. They have also been leaders in ocean conservation in PNG and work closely with local communities to protect the natural resources of the Kimbe Bay region.

Discovering Walindi

Walindi offers a choice of diving options, either on day boats or the liveaboard luxury vessels, the MV FeBrina and the MV Oceania. Either option is a great way to experience the underwater world of Kimbe Bay. Eagle-eyed dive guides are always on hand to point out the incredible array of critters and corals. 

For stunning underwater topography and big encounters, Inglis Shoal fits the brief with its high chance of spotting pelagics. It’s not too deep, so it’s great for snorkellers too. 

If you favour small sea life, visit Joy’s Reef where a sloping reef leading to a sandy bottom creates macro madness. 

‘With forests in abundance, gardens cultivated with local love and coastal vegetation, West New Britain has a phenomenal array of birdlife.’

Schooling barracuda, giant grouper, pygmy seahorses, false killer whales and orca are just some of the animals you may encounter during your dives. There are also several wreck dives
to choose from. 

During World War 2, PNG played a huge role as a battleground for countries at war, meaning the country is now littered with plane and shipwrecks. Just a short boat journey from Walindi is a Japanese Zero fighter plane wreck in only 15 metres of water, a perfect dive site for all experience levels. There are also several plane wrecks to see on land 

With over 30 dive sites in the bay, and most within 45 minutes, you can dive every day for weeks and never repeat a site. 

Should you prefer to decompress a while longer, plenty of terrestrial tours are available as the biodiversity does not end at the water’s edge. With forests in abundance, gardens cultivated with local love and coastal vegetation, West New Britain has a phenomenal array of birdlife. 

After an action-packed day in the water, it’s time to relax back at the resort with a drink, and perhaps a dip in the swimming pool, before a dinner prepared from fresh local produce.  

The story was first published in the July-August edition of Paradise, the in-flight magazine of AirNiugini.