South Pacific
THE CRITTERS OF MILNE BAY (PAPUA NEW GUINEA)
Milne Bay Critter cruise with Graham Abbott and Bob Halstead
Dates: Tuesday 1st May - Sunday 13th May 2012 (13 days)
Leader: Graham Abbott
Group Size Limit: 8 (to be confirmed)
Blue ringed Octopus (Graham Abbott)
Milne Bay features some fantastic reefs and walls but what the area is really famous for is ‘muck-diving’. The variety and number of critters here is staggering and many of the species commonly found here feature on most macro-loving diver’s hit-list. Some highlights include lacy scorpionfish (Rhinopia aphanes), blue-ringed octopus, ghost pipefish and nudibranchs galore but what really makes this area special is that you never know what you will find; there is always a good chance of finding something unexpected!
The first expedition will be concentrating on the critter rich area around Milne Bay. Graham has dived this area a few times previously and found it to be really rich with quite a few unique species not seen in his usually hunting grounds round Indonesia. Bob Halstead was the original pioneer of this area and has discovered and named numerous species throughout this area over the years.
For full details of diving in Milne Bay, please see the Milne Bay secion of our website.
M/V Golden Dawn
The Golden Dawn is a perfect vessel for this kind of diving. With her rear dive deck platform she offers open deck diving directly from the back of the boat down onto these rich critter sites. For those wanting to find new species or photograph and film this is the most ideal way to go for sure.
The boat we will be using is the MV. Golden Dawn, a charming vessel that is absolutely perfect for diving. The rear of the boat features a large and extremely functional dive deck. At many of the dive sites we will be putting the boat right where the action is, meaning that guests can dive straight from the dive deck to their hearts content. Two rigid hull inflatable tenders are used for accessing those sites away from the anchorage and provide plenty of room for the small number of divers on board.
Nitrox is provided as part of the trip fee and there are rebreathers available.
Nitrox and rebreather courses can be arranged during the trip for those interested.
Accommodation on the Golden Dawn is in one of five very comfortable cabins, all of which are air-conditioned with four being en-suite. When guests aren’t diving there is a wonderful sun-deck and a comfortable lounge to relax in.
Bob Halstead
We have the pleasure of Bob Halstead running these trips with us, a true legend of the dive world that knows more about diving in PNG than anyone else on the planet. Bob will be our cruise director for these trips, ensuring a really special PNG experience.
Since 1973 Bob has been pioneering diving in Papua New Guinea. It’s getting on for forty years since he first started exploring the reefs of this exotic and remote country and he still continues to explore to this day!
In 1977 he started running ‘dive safaris’ to Milne Bay and has been leading trips there ever since. It was here that he coined the phrase ‘muck diving’ to describe the act of searching for rare and interesting species in dive sites that were otherwise not very attractive.
Bob has published numerous books and hundreds of articles on diving and marine life, is an award-winning photographer and even has a couple of species of fish named after him! He truly is a legend of the diving world.
Graham Abbott
A renowned dive guide and acclaimed spotter, Graham Abbott is the dive guide of choice for many of the World’s best photographers and film-makers. Graham will be the group leader for this trip to one of his favourite destinations for critter hunting.
Graham has been based in Indonesia since 1997, working for various liveaboards and resorts before founding his own business in 2003. Starting the company only served to increase Graham’s dive travels as he led groups throughout Eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. His lust for discovery hasn’t waned and Graham was the organizer and trip leader for the first ever pioneering dives to Triton Bay, West Papua, and one of the first operators to lead regular expeditions with recreational divers to Halmahera and Northern Seram.
As a gifted critter hunter Graham will be in search of the critters that often other guides can miss. Last time here he found a Lembeh Frogfish that the other guides had never seen before, for example.
KINDLY NOTE this is not an official Divequest escorted group tour. Divequest are representing Diving 4 Images, owned and operated by Graham Abbott.
$4200 includes:
• 12 nights full board accommodation on a twin/share basis in a bunk room on M/V Golden Dawn including soft drinks
• Four guided dives a day plus self-guided dives where possible, Nitrox.
• Services of Graham Abbott and Bob Halstead as leaders
Supplement to upgrade to a twin/double cabin: $600
Flights: Please contact us.