Diving New Hanover… The second largest island in New Ireland province is located some 40km to the west of Kavieng.
It is a volcanic, rugged and very much untamed island!
Its traditional name is Lavongai Island and most divers probably never have heard of it.
It is actually much better known among surfers for its waves and excellent breaks.
While anthropologists know it for some of its traditional customs.
Along with the interesting Johnson Cult the locals used against the former Australian colonial rulers.
But on the north-west tip of New Hanover is Three-Island Harbour… The last resting place of four Japanese WWII vessels, all sunk by the Allied forces in February 1944. One of which is probably the best diveable and fully intact, midget submarine anywhere!
Diving New Hanover – A Guide…
New Hanover 101
New Hanover 101… The second largest island in New Ireland province is located about 40km to the west of Kavieng. Volcanic in structure with a densely forested hinterland, New Hanover is a wild, rugged and sparsely populated island. That small population live a village based, subsistence …
The Wreck of the Sanko Maru
The Sanko Maru… The wreck of this armed WWII Japanese freighter lays in shallow water off the fringing reef on the southern side of Tunnung Island. Sank by Allied B-25 Mitchell bombers in 1944, the wreck has become a testament to the rich waters of the Bismarck Sea and Pacific Ocean that …
Japanese Midget Submarine
The Japanese midget submarine… Located just 50m away from the wreck of the Sanko Maru. The submarine was literally stumbled upon by PNG diving legends Kevin Baldwin and Bob Halstead. Halstead was diving the New Hanover area from his liveaboard the MV Telita and he and Kevin Baldwin had been diving the Sanko …
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