Inglis Shoal Dive Site
Site Overview
Inglis Shoal, within the Kimbe Bay (New Britain – Coral Hotspot) of Papua New Guinea, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Coral Triangle diving itinerary. A submerged pinnacle where massive schools of bigeye trevally, barracuda, dogtooth tuna, grey reef sharks, and silvertip sharks gather, with occasional manta rays and whale sharks. Geographically the site features pinnacle and seamount and drop-off formations built from coral and rock substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 10 metres to a maximum depth of about 40 metres, with an average working depth near 22 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 15 to 35 metres, while water temperatures hold between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The marine life is the headline attraction. Divers routinely encounter Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus), Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor), Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus), Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), 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 Inglis Shoal one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Inglis Shoal is best enjoyed as part of a boat programme out of Kimbe, 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.
Dive Briefing
"Your dive at Inglis Shoal begins with a negative descent along the mooring line or wall, depending on the current on the day. You negative-enter and drift around the pinnacle, watching the blue for schooling trevally and sharks, then ascend with a safety stop as the current eases. Plan to spend the deepest portion of the dive along the pinnacle between 10 and 22 metres, where the coral is most colourful and the larger fish congregate. Hook in on the pinnacle if the current is strong, and stay with your guide so the group ascends together. Mid-water, watch the blue beyond the wall for passing Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) and other pelagics, and keep an eye on your no-decompression limits given the depths involved. Ascend slowly with a safety stop at five metres to off-gas safely. Because Inglis Shoal can experience strong currents and occasionally reduced visibility after heavy rain, dive with a surface marker buoy and always follow your operator's site-specific briefing and emergency plan."
Signature Marine Life
Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
Best: April, May, June
Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor)
Best: April, May, June
Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
Best: Year-round
Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Best: Year-round
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
Best: Year-round
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Best: April, May, June
Safety & Hazards
- Strong currents on the open seamount
- Depth near 40 metres reducing no-stop time
- Blue-water exposure far from shelter
- Boat traffic and surface swell
- Sun exposure on the transfer
- Entanglement around the mooring
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Inglis Shoal is aimed at advanced divers holding at least a Advanced Open Water certification, and it suits those comfortable managing strong conditions and maintaining neutral buoyancy along pinnacle terrain. Photographers, marine-life enthusiasts, and experienced divers will find it especially rewarding, while pelagic and drift divers will be thrilled, while new divers should build skills on the calmer bommies first. Divers who prefer calm, shallow, zero-current conditions should choose one of Papua New Guinea's sheltered house reefs or lagoons instead, and anyone without the recommended certification should complete a check-out dive with a local operator first.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can snorkel the shallows or watch the action from the boat while divers drift the pinnacle.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Walindi Plantation Resort
- Mahonia Na Dari
- Kimbe Bay Resort
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Walindi Plantation Resort
Kimbe Bay • 5km away
Kimbe Bay Hotel
Kimbe • 9km away