World Class
Scuba Diving

In addition to all the sites near Walindi, the FeBrina dives the Witu Islands to the north west of Kimbe Bay and Fathers Reefs to the north east...

FeBrina also uses moorings and practices our reef preservation policies. The following are descriptions of a few of the Witu Islands dive sites normally experienced on one of our ten day charters.

The Bali / Witu Group of Islands

Around this offshore group of islands you will experience some magnificent diving. The islands and reef are of volcanic origin and rise from very deep water. Garove harbour is actually a submerged volcanic crater. Nutrient rich currents frequently waft across most reefs and as a result there is a profusion of life. Schools of pelagic fishes abound and on the reefs you will find a great diversity of fishes and invertebrates. To date the iota of these reefs remains largely unsurveyed and it is possible to discover new and exciting things on nearly every dive.

Middle Reef

This exposed reef rises to within 15 metres of the surface and is often swept by a slight current. Schools of Fusiliers (Caesionidae), Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) and Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) are abundant along the reef face. Closer to the reef large schools of Anthias feed on plankton brought to them by the current. The Deep Water Anthias (Pseudanthias smithvaniz) , normally found below 30 metres can be found here in less than 18 metres of water.

The Sixbanded rockcod (Cephalopholis sexmaculata) is particularly abundant on this reef and (Scarus tricolor) which is uncommon within the bay is also commonly seen here. The reef is covered with a wide variety of soft corals such as black corals, gorgonians and Sarcophyton species. There are also numerous corallimorpharians which can give a nasty sting if you brush against them.

Dicky's Place

The bay in front of Dicky Doyles place is a treasure house of interesting fishes and invertebrates. The sand and rubble bottom slopes slowly into deep water and here you can find sand-divers (Thichonotus setiger), Panther Flounder (Bothus pantherinus), Razorfish or Indianfish (Xyrichtys pavo), many species of gobies, Panda Anemonefish (Amphiprion polymnus) amongst sand anemones, sea pens, various shells, nudibranchs and the Tailed Sea Slug (Chelidonura).

You won't see masses of pelagic fishes here, but it is often the shallow sandy or muddy bays that hold some of the most interesting and bizarre animals. The best way to dive this area is to have one dive during the afternoon and another as a night dive. This way you can become familiar with the site and see both the diurnal and nocturnal creatures that inhabit the sand and rubble.

Lama 1

This reef rises out of deep water, directly offshore from Lama Plantation. The reef is easily circumnavigated on a dive and the shallow reef top is an ideal place to finish the dive whilst doing a safety stop. Despite its relatively small size, this reef has an extraordinary diversity of marine life. On the reef wall you will see black coral trees, sea fans and large barrel sponges (Xestospongia spp.). Crinoids are abundant and are often found on sea fans and sponges where they gain maximum exposure to currents for feeding. Many of the barrel sponges are also covered in white worm like creatures which are actually sea cucumbers from the genus Synaptula. Ascidians are diverse and abundant at Lama 1. Some of the interesting types include the large golden and blue Polycarpa aurata, transparent species from the genus Rhopalaea, and colonial types (Clavelina spp.) where the colony forms a rounded head on top of a single stem.

Fairy Basslets (Pseudanthias species) form dense schools on the reef front. The most common species are the Purple Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka), Redfin Anthias (Pseudanthias dispar) and the Scalefin Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis). Pseudanthias squamipinnis, which can easily be identified by the spot on the pectoral fin in males, is common on reefs around the Bali-Witu Islands but is rare within Kimbe Bay, where it is replaced by Pseudanthias hutchii. Fire dartfish (Nemateleotris magnifica) are very common on the reef wall and other interesting fishes that have been seen on this reef include the Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenionotus triacanthus) and an unusual colour morph of Clark's Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarki).

There are large numbers of Sarcophyton soft corals on the reef crest and the reef top is dominated by Porites and other massive type corals. This reef structure is typical of reefs that are periodically exposed to strong currents and rough seas. The more delicate coral types cannot persist in these conditions and therefore the slower growing, but very robust, massive corals dominate the reef top. Territorial damselfishes have established algal farms at several locations on the reef top. These fish farm the algae for food and exclude other herbivorous fishes from their territory. Territories are often established in patches of staghorn coral and are easily identified by the profuse algae growth over the coral skeleton. Before finishing a dive at Lama 1, have a close look over the sand patches on the reef top, where you are likely to find shrimp gobies (Amblyeleotris wheelei) and their shrimp partners.

Lama Shoal (Krakafat Reef)

The cover photo for the Cousteau Society 50th anniversary calendar was taken at Lama Shoals. From this one picture alone you can see that the reef ecosystem here is very rich and that you can expect as "action" dive.

At Lama Shoals you are likely to be surrounded by Barracuda (Sphyraena quenie), Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) and Rainbow Runner (Elagatis bipinnulata). Large Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) and Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) cruise along the reef face, occasionally scattering the large schools of smaller fish in a fireworks like explosion of silver, as they dart through chasing dinner.

The consistent current over this site attracts fish to the reef and brings food to many of the reef inhabitants. Attached to the reef matrix are current lovers such as gorgonian fans, black corals of all colours, soft corals and hydroids.

The reef at Lama Shoal comes to within 15 metres of the surface and then drops rapidly into deep water on all sides. Currents commonly sweep through this area and as a result there is a rich assortment of marine life on this reef. Large sponges, sea fans, black corals, crinoids and various types of soft corals are abundant along the reef wall. Schools of pelagic fishes mass around Lama Shoal, especially when a current is running. Large schools of Big Eye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) and Barracuda (Sphyraena genie) are usually seen, along with Rainbow Runners (Elagatis bipinnulata) and Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosardia unicolor). Grey Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchose) are often seen cruising along the drop-off.

At the reef edge, schools of planktivorous fishes feed as the current sweeps food across the reef top. The most commonly seen plankton feeding fishes are large schools of fusiliets (Caesio and Pterocaesio spp.) and Unicornfishes, such as Vlaming's Unicornfish (Naso vlamingi) and the Sleek Unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus). Closer to the reef, smaller planktivorus fishes form dense schools. Pyramid Butterflyfish (Hemitaurichthys polylepis) are found in isolated schools, whilst Fairy Basslets extend along the entire reef front. Several particularly interesting species of Basslet to watch out for are the Princess Anthias (Pseudanthias smithvanizi) and Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias barlettorum). The Princess Anthias is usually found along drop-offs in deep water, but at Lama Shoal it can be found on the reef top. There is a good photograph of this species in the FeBrina lounge area. Bartlett's Anthias (Pseudanthias barlettorum), which appears to be uncommon in Papua New Guinea can be distinguished from other Anthias by the thin yellow bar extending from the bar to the mid-line in males. Pinjalo are another group of fish that are typically found along deep water drop-offs and deep pinnacles and can be seen at Lama Shoal. These deep-red fish, with large eyes, form slow moving schools around the top of the reef edge.

Several black Lionfish (Pterois volitans) live around the top of the reef and make wonderful photographic subjects when framed against sea fans or black corals. Other member of the Scorpionfish, such as the Samllscale Scorpionfish (Scorpaena oxycephala) and the False Stonefish (Scorpaena diabolus) family are also commonly found on this reef. Masked Moray Eels (Gymnothorax breedeni) may be found in holes along the reef top which they often co-habit with small schools of anthias.

When exploring close to the reef, be careful not touch the coralliomorpharians that cover much of the reef top. These round, brown anemone-like animals have a fierce sting that can penetrate a stinger suit or t-shirt. Coralliomorpharians are closely related to anemones and large types, such as Amplexidiscus, are apparently able to catch small fishes by enveloping them in the oral disk.

The abundant and diverse nature of the marine life at Lama Shoals ensures that this is always a good dive.

Lama Three Reef

This reef is a crescent shape, with a deep reef wall on the oceanside and a sloping reef-sand-rubble slope on the shore side. When a current is running along the ocean side this dive is best done as drift dive. Start from one end and drift along the reef all. You will find barrel sponges (Xestospongia spp. and Petrosia sp.), black corals, soft corals and sea fans. The southern point is particularly attractive with extensive hard and soft coral development. The reef top is in only a few metres of water and it is worth exploring along the back reef and reef top at the end of the dive About half way along the back reef, in three metres of water, there is a large anemone with a single large Orange-fin Anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus) and a single large White Bonnet Anemonefish (Amphiprion leucokranos). It is unusual to see two species of anemonefish cohabiting a single anemone and it has bee suggested that Amphiprion leucokranos may in fact be a hybrid between Amphiprion chryscopterus and another species such as Amphiprion sandaracinos. The Spine-Cheek Anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus) can also be found in anemone among the back reef. This anemonefish is very fussy about which type of anemone it lives in and is usually only found in the Bulb-Tentacle Anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor).

Peel's Island

At the entrance to the crater of the ancient volcano that formed Garove Island is a small outcrop of rock, which has a very different structure to the nearby coral reefs. The sides of Do-Do Rock slope steeply into deep water. The first five metres below the surface is smooth rock, covered in algae and the small green centered ascidian, Didemnun molle. In the shallow waters you will see schools of Sergeant Majors (Abudefduf vaigiensis) which feed on plankton, and grazing herbivorous fishes such as Drummers (Kyphosus spp.). Surgeonfishes (Acanthurus spp.) and Parrotfishes (Scarus spp.). The Scalefin Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) is abundant around Do-Do Rock and other interesting fish that are commonly seen include, the Royal Dottyback and the Spinecheek Anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus). In the top few metres, where surge is often experienced, species such as the Surge Demoiselle (Chrysiptera leucoporna), the Surge Wrasse (Thalassoma purpureum), Five stripe Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum) and the Surge Dottyback can be found. At about ten metres depth coral and sponge growth increases dramatically. Long parallel fissures run through the rock and there are several rubble areas between ten and twelve metres depth, where sheets of rock have fallen from above. Interesting invertebrates that may be seen here include, the Blue Seastar (Linckia laevigata), Cushion Stars (Culcita novaguineae), transparent Ascideans (Phopalaea sp.) and various nudibranchs. Coils of eggs from the giant Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus?) have been found here. This nudibranch can grow to at least 45 cm and is worth looking for in the undercuts around Do-Do Rock.

More dive sites where the FeBrina liveaboard can take you!