North and South of Milne Bay
MV Chertan offers trips to the worlds finest dive destinations.
MV Chertan offers trips to the worlds finest dive destinations. It has been exploring and establishing dive sites in Milne Bay for the past 35 years.
MV Chertan is a purpose-built liveaboard dive vessel which began operations out of Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province.
Milne Bay has long ago been perceived as one of the Worlds finest dive destinations. This has been largely due to the access to both large and small creatures that are often found on many of the rich coral mounds, walls and muck sites that make up a typical Chertan dive itinerary.
See: [Papua New Guinea Dive Travel Guide]
All-inclusive meals are local and western cuisine served in a buffet style. There are also cold beer and wine available onboard that you could enjoy after every dive.
The Milne Bay area is famous for its visibility ranging up to 50+ meters!! Big currents mean big animals and its huge range of species. Whilst SCUBA diving along the north coast on the many drop-offs you may encounter large pelagic such as Hammerhead and Whale Sharks, as well as Devil Rays and Manta Rays on dives from the MV Chertan liveaboard.
One of the main reasons the MV Chertan Liveaboard has become legendary worldwide and ranked as one of the best places to explore scuba diving is because of the rare critters you can find on many dive sites. When taking a trip to the beautiful reef pinnacles you'll see an incredible array of wildlife residing there from the large pelagic to really rare small creatures, some of which are yet to be scientifically named. With each expedition with us, you could make history!
A small point located on the North side of the mainland with a shelf from 15ft to 50ft in depth and dropping with a sheer wall down to 200+'. This site is frequently visited by Hammerheads, Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, Minki Whales and on special occasions, Orcas. The site also hosts a variety of anenomies, a school of Barracuda and very large Elephant ear sponges. A great place for underwater wide angle photography lovers.
This dive site has a steep drop off on one side down to 150ft+' rising to just 20ft below the surface and dropping back in the center to a sandy lagoon to 60ft. This dive site is frequently visited by very large pelagics such as : Manta Rays, Hammerhead Sharks & Whale sharks. The reef also hosts a variety of macro subjects such as leaf scorpion fish, Rhinopious, Blue Ribbon Eels, Elegant Fire Gobys, and much more very rare trophies.
This dive site has relatively strong current and because of this there are large quantities of fish patrolling a steep wall dropping off to 130 feet. Sharks are often sighted on this site. The top of the reef which is approximately 215 feet, has a large number of bommies hosting a magnificent variety of sea life, ie: crabs, rays, rays not to mention all the fish.
Scuba diving Tania's reef is an easy dive starting with a large coral mount coming from 140 ft to just 8 ft from the surface. When diving this place we are able to dive around the full circumference of the reef with a single tank. The South side of the reef is covered with soft corals of all types. Very large schools of fish feed off this face. The reef also plays host to giant clams and sea turtles.
This dive site you could spend a number of dives/days doing, this location actually has two separate dives, straight off the boat, no deeper than 25ft of water you have an incredible collection of cleaning stations, scuba divers are able to get their teeth cleaned if they wish. The site has a variety of octopuses and on occasions, the Mimic has appeared.
This is a beautiful drift dive along a slope that's covered with large Gorgonians and littered with large schools of fish. Particular Gorgonians host the infamous Pigmy Sea Horse.
A true rubble dive. Sand slopes going down 100' host snake eels, Star Gazers, Pipe fish, Flamboyant cuttle fish, Mimic Octopus, Spanish Dancers, Cuttle fish, Fire urchins with Coleman shrimp and the Bugs Bunny Scorpion fish.
A sheer wall starting at 2' below the surface dropping to 200+' Honey combed with small caves. Huge variety of sponges and home to a variety of Nudibranchs, including the large Spanish Dancer. Beautiful night dive.
A small coral mound located in 150 feet of water. This mound has large schools of Banner fish and Fusiliers as well as many pelagics. Also on this mound is the sought after Rhinopious or Weedy Scorpion fish.
A coral mound coming out of 150 feet of water. Typical of over 30 dive sites in close proximity. Large schools of fish over the front face, soft coral gardens where both macro and wide angle photographers can be more than satisfied.
This wonderful dive site is Located on the North Coast, this is one of the best diving places for both macro and wide angle. A shallow wall dropping off to 25 feet. Beautiful swim-through with gorgonians growing off the wall and sea bed. Able to shoot up into the jungle canopy from 20ft of water. Also ideal for macro photographers lovers, a large variety of nudibranchs, Pegasus fish and on occasions Mimic octopus.
Healthy Coral mound coming up from 120 feet of water. As it's name suggests, it plays host to a variety of crinoids. The front slope of this reef is covered with a variety of black coral trees. Off the slope, huge schools of fusiliers, anthias and jacks circle. Excellent for wide angle.
The MV Chertan accommodates up to 10 guests in five air-conditioned cabins, including four bunk-bed cabins with shared showers. Cabins can also feature a double bed and en-suite facilities.