Dive Review of MV Golden Dawn in
Papua New Guinea/Hermits & Ninigos

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MV Golden Dawn, Jul, 2007, by Diane Pogrant, NJ, USA ( 2 reports). Report 3532.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was my 5th trip to PNG in a 20 year span; twice on Febrina, 3 times on Golden Dawn. I fear it may be my last. Had I not been there before, I could not have noticed the differences. While the diving is still good, it is no longer excellent. The long liners have been through, cleaning out food fish and sharks, destroying the reefs in the process. The Japanese have the locals fishing for them, further depleting the fish stocks. There were many fewer fish than in the past. Schools of medium to large fish are noticeably absent. We found a long net draped down the side of a previously pristine underwater bommie. Many algae eaters are gone, the reef shows signs of algae overgrowth. I remember more nudibranches and invertebrates in the past. Some areas were still beautiful, but too many were empty looking with ravaged coral. Eastern Fields (on the other side of PNG) is far enough away that it is still excellent. Air Nuigini makes every trip a trial of nerves and guts. They routinely cancel a flight or two every day, due to their aging fleet and lack of repairs. Getting on a particular flight with several days worth of people all trying to do the same thing requires nerves of steel and a brassy attitude. Even then, the flights don't necessarily go to the city they are supposed to. All five of the divers for this trip missed two full days of diving. Frustrating for crew and guests. Craig still runs an tight ship, everything in good repair. His crew is superb and accomodating, the food excellent. But with Air Nuigini's cancelled flights and the long liners destroying the reefs, the dive business in PNG is being destroyed as well. Alas.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	501-1000 dives
Where else diving	Bonaire, Bahamas, Caymans, Belize, Cocos, Hawaii, Fiji, Yap, Palau, Australia, Thailand, Red Sea, mostly on liveaboards
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, rainy, cloudy, dry	Seas	calm, currents, noCurrents
Water Temp	77-83°F / 25-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	0
Water Visibility	2-100 Ft/ 1-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	according to computer, usually an hour
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	Schools	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	crew was gentle with gear, dedicated rinse for cameras

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Dive Review of MV Golden Dawn in Papua New Guinea/Hermits & Ninigos

MV Golden Dawn, Jul, 2007,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of MV Golden Dawn in
Papua New Guinea/Hermits & Ninigos