Observation Point Dive Site

Site Overview

Observation Point, within the Milne Bay – Muck & Reef Diving of Papua New Guinea, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Coral Triangle diving itinerary. A seasonal manta ray cleaning station where these giants hover to be cleaned, alongside grey reef sharks and eagle rays cruising the point. Geographically the site features point and reef and ledge formations built from coral and rock substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 8 metres to a maximum depth of about 30 metres, with an average working depth near 18 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 15 to 30 metres, while water temperatures hold between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The marine life is the headline attraction. Divers routinely encounter Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi), Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides sp.), 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 Observation Point one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Observation Point is best enjoyed as part of a boat programme out of Alotau, 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.