Niugini Dive Adventures - Papua New Guinea




	Niugini Dive Adventures Papua New Guinea

Deacon's Reef

This area is particularly sheltered and dives can be made in nearly all conditions except when there is a north-westerly wind. There may sometimes be a slight current on the reef. When the sea is very calm the MTS Discoverer is anchored on a broad coral formation 5 metres below the surface. It is, however, usually preferable to sink anchor in front of Dinah's Beach and transfer divers by dinghy to the diving point, from where they swim towards the beach to the boat. It is best not to anchor over the diving point because there are corals of all kinds, form and colour, some truly singular, and they would be irreparably damaged by the anchor or chain.

The plants growing on the emerging rocks, probably due to particular current conditions and the shade create this concentration of corals and gorgonians, one of which is really huge. If you observe the gorgonians carefully, you will find several types of shell camouflaged; they cover themselves with a mantle that perfectly reproduces the appearance of expanded coral polyps.

The dive can also be made on the wall descending to 50 metres; hammerhead sharks and eagle rays have often been sighted at this point. The wall is certainly less interesting than the top of the reef but with a little luck and an attentive eye you will see the tapering silhouette of a shark in the blue depths. The rocky wall of the coast has numerous crevices, some very deep; there is also a cave that can only be visited with the proper equipment. This dive does not present any particular difficulties and is suitable for all levels. The plateau 8 metres below the surface is also a good place for a night dive.