STAR DANCER

Peter Hughes Star Dancer - Papua New Guinea With the introduction of two new itineraries , the M/V Star Dancer offers divers the opportunity to visit many times without ever repeating sites. From January through March and during July and August, Star Dancer embarks from Rabaul, rich in history and protected from the southeasterly tradewinds by the Gazelle Peninsular. In the early months, Star Dancer leaves Rabaul for the South Coast of New Britain Island where divers enjoy some of the best critter diving available along with an exciting up-the-river trip to a fresh water blue hole for more diving. In July and August, the diving around Rabaul offers great variety from lovely fans and whips to sharks to frog fish and much more. The rest of the year, Star Dancer embarks from Walindi Plantation located on West New Britain Island on the east side of the Willaumez Peninsula, offering a variety of itineraries which include Kimbe Bay, Father's Reef, Lolabau Island and the Witu Islands. On certain special itineraries Star Dancer also visits Kavieng on the northern tip of New Ireland. Dive Sites The waters of Papua New Guinea are home to prolific and diverse marine creatures and corals. Recent marine surveys in Kimbe Bay have recorded over 350 species of reef building corals, and over 900 species of fish. The reefs are a photographer's paradise. Pristine and colorful corals are home to a variety of fish, crustacean and invertebrate life. Many of the reefs have resident schools of barracuda, tuna and jacks. A range of shark species are regularly sighted, including hammerheads and silvertips, particularly at the outer reefs of Fathers and Witu. Visibility ranges from 80 to 150 ft., depending on the season, and water temperatures range between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Weather is tropical, with little seasonal variation. Most diving is from FeBrina's and Star Dancer's spacious dive decks, with easy access via the water level dive platform. Some of the reefs are current washed; without current the spectacular marine life would not be there, however, the wide range of dive sites means that it is not necessary to dive at a site if currents are unmanageable at the time. Every dive in Papua New Guinea is an exciting new experience, highlighted by encounters with dog tooth tuna, sharks, vast schools of pelagics such as barracuda trevally and others Cold Reef - Large gorgonian fans are common on this large reef area which starts in approx. 35 ft to a sandy bottom at 100 ft. Many divers see tuna, nudibranchs, garden eels and fusiliers. Strong currents occasionally pick up around this area. Pork Chops Knob (also called Tommy’s Folly) - This large bommie is quite shallow at only 15 ft. to the surface. Divers will surely notice the beautiful sea whips and gorgonians which are abundant here. Sightings of octopus, crocodile fish and barracuda are not uncommon here. Harry’s Knob - This knob is a small bommie with a ridge running down to another bommie where divers have spotted the beautiful and elusive mandarin fish as well as lots of antheas and plenty of small critters. The soft corals and reef fish start in approx. 20 ft. of water and the wall runs very deep from there. Halfway Reef - This large bommie starts in 20 ft., slopes to 50 ft., then drops off in a deep, vertical wall. It is inhabited by sweetlips, sharks, anemones, barrel sponges, and lots of crinoids and feather stars. Leslie’s Knob - This seamount begins in 20 ft. and slopes vertically into the depths. The top of the bommie is full of healthy hard corals. Divers may discover trevally, barracuda, scorpion fish, cuttlefish as well as schools of colorful anthias. Jackie’s Reef - A long sloping ridge stretches away from this seamount in 50 to 80 ft. Jackie’s Reef - A long sloping ridge stretches away from this seamount in 50 to 80 ft. This is an excellent spot for finding nudibranchs, twin spot lionfish, scorpion fish, turtles and cuttlefish. Alice’s Magnificent Mound - This seamount tops off at 40 ft. and is often swept with current. The reef covers a large area on top the size of approx. 4 tennis courts. Lots of anemone, fans and sea whips dot the top of the bommie. Humphead wrasse, and leaf scorpion fish are seen here. Killibob’s Knob - Killibob’s consists of three connected bommies with the shallowest at 30 ft., then 45 ft., then 80 ft. This site is famous for whitetip and silvertip sharks. Moray eels, porcelain crabs, tuna, barracuda and trevally jacks are common. The reef features hard corals and leather corals. The Arch - A beautiful arch has formed on a bommie in 85 ft. which is connected to a larger and shallower bommie. Divers swim from the mooring line down to the wall at 30 ft., then follow the lead line over to the arch. Schooling barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, brown leaf scorpion fish, tuna, sharks and trevally are seen here. Gorgonians and sea whips dot the reef. DuDu Rock - This site sits inside an extinct volcano which has filled in with water. An excellent night dive, the reef starts just a few feet below the surface of the water and drops off dramatically. Spanish Dancers may often be seen as well as lionfish, scorpion fish, nudibranchs and feather mouth sea cucumbers. Krackafat Reef - Located just off of Lama Island, this bommie reaches 45 ft. below the surface. It hosts schools of trevally and barracuda. Black coral is seen in several varieties. Lionfish and turtles are common (as well as the stinging coralamorphs). Inglis Shoal - This site inside of Kimbe Bay which starts at 40 ft. and covers an area roughly the size of three tennis courts is covered with plate corals. Divers will commonly see batfish, moray eels, stonefish, turtles, trevally and barracuda. Restorf Island - A very shallow reef surrounds this small island which features some special marine life. It’s most shallow area is inhabited by brown sea horses. Aggressive triton triggerfish protect the sandy area in front of the wall. A forest of huge gorgonian fans is discovered to the far right of the site and a blue ribbon eel is sometimes spotted beyond that. Just about everything macro can be found here. South Emma Reef - This is a bommie connected to another nearby reef by a ridge at approx. 110 ft. The top of the bommie is 30 ft. below the surface and an interesting swim-through formation is seen at 105 ft. Big Barrel sponges, nudibranchs, shrimp, clown triggerfish, batfish, tuna, trevally can all be seen on this reef. Sample Itinerary A 7 night itinerary includes 5.5 dive days and a 10 night itinerary includes 8.5 dive days Saturday: Arrive Hoskins or Tokua Airport near Rabaul (according to itinerary) after clearing customs and immigration in Port Moresby. Transfer via air-conditioned bus to Walindi Wharf (45 min. drive) or Rabaul’s commercial dock (according to itinerary). Board M/V Star Dancer after 4:00 pm. Enjoy pre-dinner snack and welcome drink. At approx. 6:00 pm M/V Star Dancer leaves port and cruises for several hours to the Witu Islands or Duke of York Islands (according to itinerary). Orientation will be given after dinner. M/V Star Dancer arrives at her destination in the early hours of the following morning. Sunday to Thursday: 5 full dive days with up to 5 dives per day, including a night dive each night. A dive bell is rung to signal the start of a dive briefing on the Main Deck. The vessel will usually move two or three times per day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-dive snacks are provided each day. Slide presentations are shown several evenings. Lunches may be packed for shore excursions on one day. Dives sites will depend on weather conditions, but guest feedback is welcome. Friday: 2 dives will be scheduled in the morning before M/V Star Dancer returns to port between noon and 2:00 pm. An informal dinner is prepared on board at approx. 6:30 pm or when returning to Walindi we offer a festive BBQ buffet at the resort. Dress is casual/tropical. Help yourself to a Hibiscus flower straight off the bush, but remember bug spray or lotion for the short walk to the resort dining and bar area. Saturday: Continental breakfast is available from 7:00 am prior to departure at approx. 8:15 am for the Hoskins or Rabaul airport. Sample schedule is subject to change due to unpredictable conditions. Destination and trip duration varies throughout the year and this schedule may vary according to itinerary. All times are approximate. This is a "Sample Itinerary Only." Itineraries may be changed due to current or pending weather conditions or at the Captain’s discretion to ensure the safety of the passengers, crew and vessel. Boat Specifications Port of Registry: Papua New Guinea Construction: Aluminum Type: Mono Hull Length: 120 feet Beam: 23 feet Number of Passengers: 16 Accommodation: 8 cabins Number of Crew: 8 Number of Tenders: 1 for emergency transport Fuel Capacity: 3800 gallons Fresh Water Capacity: 2200 gallons Desalination Production: 3200 gallons per day Cruising Speed: 11.5 knots Range: 1000 nautical miles Navigation Aids: VHF, SSB, Radar, echo sounder, GPS, weather fax. Oxygen On Board: Yes Compressor: 2 K-14 Bauer Nitrox Facilities: Yes Voltage: 110 volts Air-conditioning: To all areas indoors Length of Charters: 7, 8, 9 and 10 night charters Dives Per Day: Up to 5 Digital camera rental: Camera rental, Video rental, Video instruction Laundry Service: Yes

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