MV FeBrina Liveaboard Reviews & Specials - Bluewater Dive Travel

MV FeBrina Liveaboard

4.9166666666667
(3 REVIEWS)

Destination: Papua New Guinea

Kimbe Bay, the Northern coast of New Britain & South Coast New Britain (7-12 Nights) | From  499++/night

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MV FeBrina Quick Pitch

The 75-foot MV FeBrina liveaboard takes 12 divers through wide-angle and macro paradise. The yacht docks just outside of Kimbe Town in West New Britain, and a quick drive from Hoskins airport (accessed via air transfer from Port Moresby airport). Boasting several different room/bed arrangements in 7 cabins, multiple decks, spacious dive deck and more, the MV FeBrina has been designed specifically as a scuba diving liveaboard.

 

Location

Kimbe Bay on New Britain Island in PNG.

 

Dive Overview

The marine life in Papua New Guinea, and particularly West New Britain, is amazing. Located in the coral triangle, there are vibrant and colorful reefs, clear water, abundant macro life, pelagic schools of fish and sharks. Visibility is generally 80-150 feet and water temp varies between 85-90F. Kimbe Bay, where Walindi Resort is located (MV FeBrina's home dock) is home to over half the world's coral species.

[See: Papua New Guinea Dive Travel Guide]

 

Check Out This Great Video from MV FeBrina!

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

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MV FeBrina Accommodation Overview

The MV FeBrina has 7 cabins that comfortably accommodate up to 12 divers. All cabins have ensuite facilities and individually controlled air conditioning. Towels are changed daily (unless requested otherwise) and the rooms are laid out to maximize space and storage of personal items. Guests may choose between a double cabin, four twin cabins or two single cabins, providing flexibility for both individual and group travelers.

MV FeBrina MV FeBrina

The cabins  

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General Facilities

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MV FeBrina MV FeBrina

 

MV FeBrina LIVEABOARD Boat Features

  • Camera table
  • Entertainment room
  • Saloon and galley
  • Dining area
  • Sundeck

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Food & Drinks Aboard MV FeBrina

Meals are a blend of Western and Asian cuisines with healthy portions for divers. Seafood, beef, fruits, and vegetables are sourced locally. Dietary requests are accommodated wherever possible.  

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MV FEBRINA LIVEABOARD DIVE FACILITIES

  • Spacious dive deck
  • Tender boat for diving
  • DIN Adaptors
  • Nitrox
  • Diving gear rental available

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MV FeBrina Liveaboard Deck Plan

MV FeBrinaMV FeBrinaMV FeBrina

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Schedule, Rates & Availability

MV FeBrina Schedule & Rates

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All prices are per person in USD. Environmental and Safety Fee payable in advance with final payment, currently $9 per person/per night (subject to change).

[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions]


Inclusions

  • Accommodation on board MV FeBrina
  • All meals
  • Four or five dives per day
  • Filled tanks, weights and weight belt
  • Airport transfers on day of departure and disembarkation
  • Final night dinner at Walindi Resort or on board depending on itinerary
  • Light laundry daily

 

Exclusions

  • Environmental & Safety Fees 
  • Nitrox
  • Tips for the crew
  • Rental equipment
  • Soft drinks, local beer & wine, alcohol


RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more information on other departure dates, rates, and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Destinations

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Signature Itinerary

FeBrina's Signature Itinerary covers three areas of diving on the Northern Coast of New Britain Island. Working out of Walindi Resort in our best weather months, FeBrina visits the "must dive" sites in Kimbe Bay, at Witu Islands and also the Fathers Reefs area. Signature Itineraries are typically 9 and 10 nights.

With an eight to ten hour steam between all three areas, you will be truly "getting away from it all" on a Signature Itinerary departure. Very rarely will you see another diver on a reef while at Witu islands or Fathers Reefs, other than your fellow FeBrina guests.

This itinerary gives a fantastic cross-section of many different dive types, from coral gardens, seamounts, reef walls, arches, and overhanging ledges, to muck diving in rubbly black sand bays, watching from the water as dolphins play in the FeBrina bow wave or interacting with the ever curious turtles.

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Mid Year Itinerary

FeBrina operates several 8 night Mid Year Itineraries during the year.

During July and August, we cover two areas of diving on the Northern Coast of New Britain Island. Working out of Walindi Resort, FeBrina dives in Kimbe Bay and Fathers Reefs, including Lolobau Island.

In July, FeBrina operates two Mid Year trips in conjunction with the Rabaul Mask Festival. One trip will depart Walindi and finish in Rabaul, arriving at the start of the festival. And the second trip departs from Rabaul at the end of the festival and returns to Walindi. Diving for these two departures covers Kimbe Bay and Fathers Reefs, plus a day diving around Rabaul.

The 8 night Mid Year itineraries in the shoulder months, late June and late November operate out of Walindi and also cover two areas, Kimbe Bay and either Witu Islands OR Fathers Reefs, whichever has the best diving at the time. 

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Other Itineraries

During the early months of the year, MV FeBrina relocates to take advantage of best weather months in selected areas of Papua New Guinea and offer alternative itineraries for repeat clientele. Alternate itineraries differ from year to year and include South Coast New Britain (out of Rabaul) and Milne Bay (out of Alotau).

South Coast New Britain diving is a wonderland of rare and unusual critters. Most of the diving is on fringing reefs and lagoons. This is quite different diving to the seamounts and deep drop-offs of Kimbe Bay and our North Coast itineraries.

Milne Bay area will excite lovers of pelagic fish as well as the smaller reef dwellers. Manta rays are regularly sighted on one particular reef.

A stopover in the Tufi area is included on Rabaul to Milne Bay trips and diving includes a mix of critters and pelagics, along with stunning above water scenery.

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Other Information

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BOAT SPECIFICATIONS

  • Year built: 1972
  • Year renovated: 2010
  • Length: 73 feet
  • Beam: 20 feet
  • Maximum speed: 11.5 knots
  • Cruising speed: 8.5 knots
  • Engines: 2 x Cummins 250hp 1800rpm each
  • Maximum guests: 12
  • Number of cabins: 7
  • Number of bathrooms: 7
  • Tenders: 1 x 18 feet (Fibreglass)
  • Water capacity: 12,000 ltrs
  • Fuel capacity: 8,333 ltrs
  • Freshwater maker: 750 ltrs per day


PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • Time Zone: UTC+10 
  • Payment Onboard: Cash, Visa and Master card
  • Language Spoken: English

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Got Questions? Ready to Book?

Call us today at 310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com

And let us book your dream vacation!

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Underwater Gallery 

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MV FeBrina MV FeBrina

MV FeBrina MV FeBrina

MV FeBrina MV FeBrina

MV FeBrina MV FeBrina

Photos provided by Darek Sepiolo, Franco Banfi, Marcelo Krause, Michele Westmorland & Nat Sumanatameya.  

 

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Reviews (3)

  • Top Reviewer
Bowling Green, KY
United States
5
5
5
4

The MV FeBrina experience is a treat indeed !
Being welcomed aboard by lovely Josie and taken to my air conditioned cabin was a delight. This boat is super comfy. The cabins have all been recently updated and are clean, spacious and very well appointed. The crew was a pleasure to spend the week with. The diving was spectacular ! The array of dive sites and beasties was incredible. I felt high on sensory overload every dive. Such diversity and abundance of sea life I have never experienced before. Soft corals, hard corals, crinoids, nudibranchs, sea slugs, crabs of all kinds and the fish life !!! Seriously, the abundance of fish large, small and weird is fabulous ! Juveniles of every species is a joy to see. Clownfish protectively patrolling their anemones everywhere in many different colors. Pygmy seahorse, Titan trigger fish , Cuttle fish and of course Sharks. The silvertip sharks were my favorite. With two divemasters on critter watch every dive something special was found literally every time.

If you love diving book this trip. I can hardly wait to get back and do it again !

Visited on 06/2014 - Submitted on 01/18/2015
5
5
5
5

The FeBrina is a comfortable boat that sleeps 12 guests and sails from Walindi Pantation to the reefs of KImbe Bay for the majority of the year. Walindi is reached via an internal PNG flight from Port Moresby to Hoskins Airport and a 90 minute drive. Our trip was in August with air temperatures in the low 30’s °C and water temperature a constant 29-30°C.

The cabins are comfortable and air conditioned and the staff provide a daily laundry service which means you can survive on minimal clothing if you need your luggage allowance for more important things like dive gear and cameras.

Food is plentiful and varied, using local produce as much as possible.

The crew, from kitchen staff to dive guides are extremely friendly and helpful. Camera facilities are good, with benches and open lockers provided for each diver on deck. The guides are exceptional at finding interesting animals for photographers and non-photographers alike. The briefings are clear and accurate, probably a reflection of the extensive experience they have of the sites. Up to five dives a day are available, with nitrox as an option. There is little current to worry about and the nature of the reefs make long slow ascents a real pleasure.

The majority of dives are at coral outcrops in the Bismark Sea and these show an amazing variety in substrate and fish life between sites. The soft corals are most impressive, as are the schools of fish experienced at some reefs. There is one site (Restorf Island) that will satisfy those interested in muck dives, which is also a great night dive. There is no end of nudibranchs and other cryptic animals. The scenery is spectacular, and the macro life is prolific. You won’t be disappointed by the opportunities provided on this trip.

Visited on 08/2014 - Submitted on 10/30/2014
  • Top Reviewer
Bowling Green, KY
United States
5
5
5
5

FEBRINA LIVEABOARD REVIEW

This year in June 2014 I had the good fortune to visit and dive from the MV Febrina in Papua New Guinea. The experience exceeded my expectations. Don't let the outside of this vessel fool you. It seems small and looks a bit aged, but, the cabins have all been recently completely renovated. I had a twin share with Cross bunk bed set up. Beds are clean and comfortable. Bathroom is fairly roomy with new very clean shower stall. Cabins have individual temperature controls and ample storage space. The captain and divemasters on this boat are exceptionally good at their jobs. The rest of the crew are always courteous and seem eager to please. The food is fresh , ample and always good. Two dive masters went out on each dive with us.Both are amazingly good at finding critters large and small. Captain Alan knows these reefs like no one else in the world. He set the moorings for most of them. The dive deck is designed well with individual lockers/ boxes for your personal gear.

PNG MARINE LIFE

The waters are clean and teeming with life. So many juvenile fishes it made my heart sing. The top side scenery is just breath taking. We found proper lionfish, ghost pipefish, Crocodile fish, too many color and kinds of nudibrachs to list. Cuttle fish, octopi,pigmy seahorses, more species of corals and anemones than you can possibly imagine. We had two shark feeds both of which were well handled and brought in many sharks. Turtles here are friendly. I was on sensory overload the entire trip. So many beautiful colors in all the life there it brings a smile of wonder to my face each time I think of it.

CONCLUSION

What a wonderful experience! These are the most pristine waters I have ever dove in. I have heard it said, "If you could only pick one place in the world to dive, It should be PNG". I have to agree with this. I hope I have the good fortune to visit the MV FeBrina and her crew again in this life time.

Visited on 07/2014 - Submitted on 08/20/2014

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