Port Moresby divides the Coral Sea from the Papuan Barrier Reef and offers a wider variety of site types than its small database footprint suggests. Divers can explore coral bommies such as End Bommie and Suzie's Bommie, reef drop-offs, muck areas around Loloata Island, and intentionally sunk wrecks including the MV Pacific Gas and the MV New Marine prawn trawler. Visibility ranges from moderate to good depending on site and season, and temperatures are warmest in the wet season months and cooler mid-year. The dry season from May through November generally brings calmer seas, with late October to early December cited as the most consistent window.
Monthly water temperature across Port Moresby's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures follow a clear seasonal pattern, peaking in the wet months and dropping noticeably between July and October. The dry season brings calmer surface conditions, making boat access to offshore sites such as MV Pacific Gas more straightforward.
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Water temperature around Port Moresby ranges from about 26°C in July to 30°C in January, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 30°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Port Moresby; in the coldest months (about 26°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 6 sites in Port Moresby (6 scuba diving sites and 3 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
2 more sites to explore
