Narage Island Dive Site
Site Overview
Narage Island, within the Witu Islands (North of Kimbe) of Papua New Guinea, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Coral Triangle diving itinerary. A remote island with pristine reefs, schools of jacks, trevally, and the occasional whale shark in the blue. Geographically the site features reef and drop-off and wall formations built from coral and rock substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 8 metres to a maximum depth of about 35 metres, with an average working depth near 20 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 15 to 32 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), Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis), Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus), Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), 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 Narage Island one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Narage Island 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 Narage Island begins with a controlled descent along the mooring line or wall, depending on the current on the day. You descend the reef and drift along the wall, watching for schooling jacks and the occasional whale shark, then ascend slowly. Plan to spend the deepest portion of the dive along the reef between 8 and 20 metres, where the coral is most colourful and the larger fish congregate. If the current builds, hook in on the reef and watch the blue, staying with your guide. 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 Narage Island can experience moderate 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: Year-round
Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis)
Best: Year-round
Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Best: April, May, June
Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
Best: Year-round
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Best: Year-round
Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Moderate current around the reef
- Depth near 35 metres reducing bottom time
- Blue-water exposure and long crossing
- Boat traffic and surface swell
- Sun exposure on the transfer
- Entanglement around the mooring
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Narage Island is aimed at advanced divers holding at least a Advanced Open Water certification, and it suits those comfortable managing moderate conditions and maintaining neutral buoyancy along reef terrain. Photographers, marine-life enthusiasts, and experienced divers will find it especially rewarding, while pelagic divers will enjoy the solitude, while the long transfer suits liveaboard itineraries. 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 enjoy the liveaboard while divers explore the remote reef.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Walindi Plantation Resort
- MV FeBrina Liveaboard
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Walindi Plantation Resort
Kimbe Bay • 5km away
MV FeBrina
Liveaboard (Kimbe-based) • 9km away