The hook
Some of the richest coral reefs and most thrilling wreck diving on Earth, scattered across remote tropical islands where volcanoes smoke over a town buried in ash and the underwater life of the Coral Triangle reaches its dazzling peak.
01Why it's worth it
Beyond its highlands, Papua New Guinea's islands and seas hold wonders of a very different kind. The country lies in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the global epicentre of marine biodiversity, and its reefs, especially in places like Kimbe Bay off New Britain and around Milne Bay and Kavieng, are among the most pristine and species-rich on the planet, a diver's dream of vibrant coral, walls, and teeming fish, still largely uncrowded. Overlaid on this natural richness is dramatic recent history: PNG saw fierce fighting in the Second World War, and its waters and jungles are strewn with wrecks, ships, planes, and submarines that are now hauntingly beautiful dive sites and relics. The islands are also volcanically alive: at Rabaul, on New Britain, a once-elegant town sits half-buried in ash beneath still-active volcanoes that devastated it in 1994, a stark, extraordinary landscape. Add remote surf, wildlife including tree kangaroos and birds of paradise, and traditional island cultures, and PNG's islands offer world-class diving, poignant history, and raw natural drama. As with the mainland, travel is remote, premium, and requires care and current safety advice.
02How to experience it
Focus on diving: base at a resort or liveaboard in Kimbe Bay, Milne Bay, or Kavieng for the pristine Coral Triangle reefs and the WWII wrecks, some of the world's finest. See the ash-buried town and smoking volcanoes at Rabaul. Travel is remote and premium, so go with established operators and check current safety advice, treating island communities as a respectful guest.