Fly River Delta (expedition) Dive Site

Site Overview

Fly River Delta (expedition), within the Gulf of Papua & Western Province of Papua New Guinea, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Coral Triangle diving itinerary. A unique brackish-water environment in the Fly River Delta where specialised macro critters adapted to low salinity and soft substrate can be found, a stark contrast to PNG's reefs. Geographically the site features delta and slope and sand formations built from silt and sand and rubble substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 2 metres to a maximum depth of about 18 metres, with an average working depth near 10 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 3 to 12 metres, while water temperatures hold between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius year-round. The marine life is the headline attraction. Divers routinely encounter Brackish-water Gobies (Gobiidae), Prawn (Caridea), Estuarine Catfish (Ariidae), Freshwater Eel (Anguillidae), Mud Crab (Scylla sp.), Bivalve (Bivalvia), alongside dense reef fish, invertebrates, and the soft and hard corals that blanket the reef. The mix of nutrient-rich currents and Papua New Guinea's remote, well-protected reefs makes Fly River Delta (expedition) one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Fly River Delta (expedition) is best enjoyed as part of a boat programme out of Port Moresby, and it rewards wide-angle photographers, naturalists, and experienced drift divers alike. Papua New Guinea's strong community-based conservation ethos and remoteness help keep the reef pristine, so divers are asked to maintain exemplary buoyancy and respect the fragile marine environment at all times.